What is a realistic landscaping budget?

A general rule of thumb is to spend 10% of your home's value on landscaping. Reuse existing material & plants: Remember the inventory you did in step 1? Now may be a good time to revisit. You may be able to save a package by incorporating your existing materials and plants into a newly designed landscape. A quote is a detailed description of the anticipated expenses for your landscaping project.

Your budget should be realistic, organized, detailed and easy to follow. Setting a budget helps you determine what is needed to complete the landscaping project and should include how much each item should cost. Landscaping experts will be honest with you about what they can offer within your budget, but if a bid seems excessively high or low, don't hesitate to ask why. Balance the cost of ongoing maintenance with the value and beauty that the new landscape will add to your property.

The way you use your main house and vacation home or cottage affects the home itself and the surrounding landscape. The first step of any landscaping project is to make a list of what you already have and do a site analysis. You can draw the basic design to scale using old-fashioned graph paper or landscape design software. With many materials now being imported from retailers in India, Singapore, and other countries, the cost to the consumer is also modified to account for shipping, and this is something you should incorporate into your budget when planning how to design a backyard.

Lawns and landscapes are vital components of creating healthy communities and maintaining good personal health. The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) suggests starting with a budget of 5 to 10 percent of your home's value when you start planning your garden. In addition, connecting with a more experienced landscaper could increase costs, but it could also provide a better quality experience and longer use space. Plan for just one or two spectacular features, as crowding the lawn will reduce the impact of your landscaping efforts.

Finishing your home with landscaping walls, patios, an outdoor kitchen, walkways, steps, and driveways can add tens of thousands of dollars to your landscaping costs, so consider this item carefully when setting a budget.