Landscape renovation — plants, irrigation, drainage, and lighting designed for our climate.
Most of what we renovate isn't bad design — it's a tired version of a 15-year-old design that no one has updated since install. Plants past their prime, drip irrigation rebuilt by three previous owners, drainage that pushes water at the house, a single dying tree as the only shade. A real landscape renovation rebuilds the systems underneath and re-designs the palette on top — not just swaps out a few shrubs.
Educational estimate, not a quote. Ranges shown are Arizona-market planning estimates. Final pricing depends on site access, size, materials, engineering, drainage, utilities, permits, equipment access, existing conditions, and final scope. Binding pricing is only valid in a written proposal signed by an AE representative.
What's typically in a landscape renovation
- Plant + tree palette designed for Arizona climate and mature size
- Drip irrigation rebuild — zoned, pressure-regulated, smart controller
- Drainage plan — catch basins, French drains, pop-up emitters
- Grading and soil prep — amend hardpan clay where needed
- Decorative rock, boulders, edging, and bed definition
- Artificial turf or putting green integration
- Landscape lighting (path, tree, uplight, architectural)
- Tree work — selective removal, structural pruning, new specimens
2026 Phoenix-metro pricing ranges
- Refresh (replant + rock + drip rebuild): $6,000–$15,000
- Mid (above + new boulders, edging, lighting, 1–2 specimen trees): $15,000–$38,000
- Full renovation (grading + drainage + hardscape transitions + planting + lighting + irrigation): $35,000–$110,000
- Estate (custom walls, water features, mature trees, full property): $90,000–$300,000+
AE's go-to Arizona plant palette
- Trees: desert museum palo verde, willow acacia, Chilean mesquite, Texas mountain laurel
- Shrubs: Texas sage, dwarf oleander, desert ruellia, hop bush, baja fairy duster
- Accents: octopus / blue glow / parry's agave, red yucca, gopher plant, beargrass
- Groundcover: dymondia, gopher plant, trailing rosemary, damianita
- Color: globe mallow, penstemon, brittlebush, desert marigold
Irrigation done right
- Smart controller — Rachio, Hunter Hydrawise, or RainBird LNK
- Pressure regulator on every zone (40–50 PSI for drip)
- Emitter sizing matched to each plant's mature water need
- Zoned by hydrozone (trees, shrubs, accents, turf) — never mixed
- Documented zone map left with the homeowner at startup
Drainage — fix it during the renovation
- Elevation survey before any new beds go in
- Catch basins at every low spot or downspout outlet
- Solid PVC to daylight or pop-up emitter at the curb
- French drains where surface drainage isn't enough
- Grading swales to move water away from the house
Rebate-eligible turf conversion
Most Phoenix-metro homeowners qualify for active turf-removal rebates (SRP + city programs) that offset $1,500–$5,000 of conversion cost when replacing real grass with desert landscape or artificial turf. AE files the rebate paperwork as part of qualifying scopes.
Tree work — selective, not aggressive
- Keep mature shade trees in good structural condition
- Limb-up tired specimens to restore canopy clarity
- Remove dying mesquites and root-rotted palms
- Plant new specimens at 24–36" box for instant scale
- Stake new trees for 6–12 months until rooted
Phasing plan if you can't do everything at once
Phase 1: drainage, grading, irrigation rebuild, tree work. Phase 2: hardscape transitions, decorative rock, edging. Phase 3: plants (best installed October–March). Phase 4: lighting and finishing details. Each phase is finished work — not an unfinished project you live with for a year.
Common questions.
Ready to renovate your landscape?
Send a few photos of your yard — wide shots and any problem areas (drainage, dying plants, tired beds). We'll walk it on-site, sketch a renovation concept, check rebate eligibility, and put a written line-item 2026 scope in your hands.
Request a Landscape QuoteWhy this is an investment, not a cost.
An AE backyard is engineered to add daily livability and long-term home value. We publish honest ranges and build to code with a licensed and bonded Arizona crew. AE provides project-specific workmanship and manufacturer-warranty information in the signed agreement. Website summaries are for planning only.
- Licensed, bonded & insured in Arizona. ROC 340966 (R-62) · ROC 341002 (R-3) · ROC 347738 (KA-5) · ROC 211530 (CR-21). Most Arizona contracting work valued at $1,000 or more — or requiring a permit — must be performed by a properly licensed contractor, subject to statutory exemptions. Verify the legal entity, license status, and classification with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
- Real ranges, itemized scope. You see materials, finishes, equipment models, and a line-item budget before you sign — not a one-line "pool — $90,000."