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Where to Invest Your Budget in a Landscape Renovation
Pros weigh in on where to put your money for long-lasting benefits and cost savings down the line in a landscape redo
Whether you’re planning to spruce up your front yard or are embarking on a full-scale landscape renovation, determining where to invest your budget can feel like navigating an endless stream of decisions that is not always straightforward.
To help with this decision process, we have tapped professionals in the landscape design field to discuss where you might want to splurge and where you can save in a landscape redesign. First, we’ll cover where it makes sense to invest your budget, including a master plan, high-impact elements, long-lasting materials, outdoor furniture and more.
To help with this decision process, we have tapped professionals in the landscape design field to discuss where you might want to splurge and where you can save in a landscape redesign. First, we’ll cover where it makes sense to invest your budget, including a master plan, high-impact elements, long-lasting materials, outdoor furniture and more.
Most homeowners hire a landscape architect or designer to draw up a master plan. Fees vary depending on the professional and the size and scope of the project. While a master plan may feel expensive upfront, investing in a full design from the start can lead to cost savings down the line.
2. Skilled Artisans and Installers
Investing in experienced installers is key to ensuring proper installation of a landscape plan. “The design can only get you so far,” says landscape designer and contractor Heather Sweeney of Mom’s Design Build. “You need to have a great crew behind you that can implement the design and understand what is important.”
If you’re hiring a contractor, mason, woodworker or other artisan or installer, do your research and hire the best one you can afford. Read reviews online, look at examples of candidates’ past work and go by referrals. If you’re working with a design-build firm or a well-connected landscape contractor, the pro will likely coordinate and hire specialty artisans on your behalf.
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Investing in experienced installers is key to ensuring proper installation of a landscape plan. “The design can only get you so far,” says landscape designer and contractor Heather Sweeney of Mom’s Design Build. “You need to have a great crew behind you that can implement the design and understand what is important.”
If you’re hiring a contractor, mason, woodworker or other artisan or installer, do your research and hire the best one you can afford. Read reviews online, look at examples of candidates’ past work and go by referrals. If you’re working with a design-build firm or a well-connected landscape contractor, the pro will likely coordinate and hire specialty artisans on your behalf.
Find home design and building pros
3. Hardscape and Other Permanent Elements
When it comes to permanent features of the landscape, such as patios, walkways, steps and retaining walls, it pays to invest in the best quality and installation you can afford. Choose durable, long-lasting materials like natural stone, rot-resistant wood, brick, concrete and tile, and work with an experienced installer.
Landscape designer Kathryn Prideaux in Tucson, Arizona, says pools are one element to invest in wisely. “It is absolutely critical to use a reputable pool contractor that has experience and good referrals,” Prideaux says. “Homeowners can really get themselves into trouble down the road by trying to save money on pool construction.”
When it comes to permanent features of the landscape, such as patios, walkways, steps and retaining walls, it pays to invest in the best quality and installation you can afford. Choose durable, long-lasting materials like natural stone, rot-resistant wood, brick, concrete and tile, and work with an experienced installer.
Landscape designer Kathryn Prideaux in Tucson, Arizona, says pools are one element to invest in wisely. “It is absolutely critical to use a reputable pool contractor that has experience and good referrals,” Prideaux says. “Homeowners can really get themselves into trouble down the road by trying to save money on pool construction.”
4. High-Impact Feature
It’s worth considering splurging on at least one standout element that elevates your overall design, acting as a focal point, a functional feature or both. This can vary depending on your site and design, from a specially detailed shade pergola to a water feature or specimen tree.
8 Ideas From Pros to Elevate Your Outdoor Entertaining Spaces
It’s worth considering splurging on at least one standout element that elevates your overall design, acting as a focal point, a functional feature or both. This can vary depending on your site and design, from a specially detailed shade pergola to a water feature or specimen tree.
8 Ideas From Pros to Elevate Your Outdoor Entertaining Spaces
5. Problem Solvers for Site Challenges
If your site comes with existing challenges — such as a steep slope or drainage issues — cheap, cobbled-together solutions will rarely solve the problems and can lead to larger issues (and bigger expenses) down the line. It’s wise to invest in the right solution upfront.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
If your site comes with existing challenges — such as a steep slope or drainage issues — cheap, cobbled-together solutions will rarely solve the problems and can lead to larger issues (and bigger expenses) down the line. It’s wise to invest in the right solution upfront.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
6. Heat and Landscape Lighting
If you’re planning to enjoy your garden in the evening or like coming home to a softly lit outdoor space, sources of light and warmth can be well worth including in the design. “Lighting is worth the investment, as you get more time out of the day to enjoy your garden,” Sweeney says.
For long-lasting exterior lighting, look for LED and solar-powered lights and casings made of durable, outdoor-appropriate materials, treated for exposure to moisture.
15 Outdoor Lighting Ideas That Set the Mood for Entertaining
If you’re planning to enjoy your garden in the evening or like coming home to a softly lit outdoor space, sources of light and warmth can be well worth including in the design. “Lighting is worth the investment, as you get more time out of the day to enjoy your garden,” Sweeney says.
For long-lasting exterior lighting, look for LED and solar-powered lights and casings made of durable, outdoor-appropriate materials, treated for exposure to moisture.
15 Outdoor Lighting Ideas That Set the Mood for Entertaining
7. Mature Trees
If you’re starting from a blank slate with a landscape remodel, one or two mature trees can accelerate the process of making your yard feel grown in. In general, shallow-rooting trees, like palms and olives, can be bought in more mature sizes, while trees such as oaks or maples can be purchased as semimature specimens.
Large trees are sold in wooden boxes that come in standard sizes. When selecting the tree type and size for your yard, be sure to factor in the cost of transportation and installation. It’s best to consult your contractor before getting your heart set on a huge tree.
While you may want to invest in one or two mature trees, consider buying many of your other plants — quick-growing herbs, perennials, ground covers, ornamental grasses, vines and more — in small sizes, as they will cost lest and will grow to mature sizes quickly.
Check out our guide to get started on your home project
If you’re starting from a blank slate with a landscape remodel, one or two mature trees can accelerate the process of making your yard feel grown in. In general, shallow-rooting trees, like palms and olives, can be bought in more mature sizes, while trees such as oaks or maples can be purchased as semimature specimens.
Large trees are sold in wooden boxes that come in standard sizes. When selecting the tree type and size for your yard, be sure to factor in the cost of transportation and installation. It’s best to consult your contractor before getting your heart set on a huge tree.
While you may want to invest in one or two mature trees, consider buying many of your other plants — quick-growing herbs, perennials, ground covers, ornamental grasses, vines and more — in small sizes, as they will cost lest and will grow to mature sizes quickly.
Check out our guide to get started on your home project
8. Proper Irrigation
Your irrigation system is another portion of the installation where it pays to invest. The cost of replacing dead plants can add up quickly, as can your monthly water bill if plants are being overwatered or there is a leak anywhere in the system. If you’re working with a landscape architect, designer or contractor for your landscape remodel, he or she will most likely be able to recommend installers who are skilled at setting up irrigation systems. If you’re hiring someone on your own, again, do your research.
It can be worth it to invest in a smart irrigation system with automatic sensors, weather-based systems or the ability to have multiple zones with different water needs on a single system.
15 Ways to Create a Beautiful Water-Wise Landscape
Your irrigation system is another portion of the installation where it pays to invest. The cost of replacing dead plants can add up quickly, as can your monthly water bill if plants are being overwatered or there is a leak anywhere in the system. If you’re working with a landscape architect, designer or contractor for your landscape remodel, he or she will most likely be able to recommend installers who are skilled at setting up irrigation systems. If you’re hiring someone on your own, again, do your research.
It can be worth it to invest in a smart irrigation system with automatic sensors, weather-based systems or the ability to have multiple zones with different water needs on a single system.
15 Ways to Create a Beautiful Water-Wise Landscape
9. Quality Outdoor Furniture
Investing in quality outdoor furniture can be another upfront cost that pays off in the long run. Furniture made with long-lasting materials and with a high level of craftsmanship can last for years outdoors with the right care, whereas cheaper models often need to be replaced after a few seasons. “Outdoor furniture should generally be natural teakwood, stainless steel or other metals with very durable, industrially applied paint finishes,” architect Paul Davis says.
While there are also many waterproof outdoor products made from fiberglass or plastic-based materials, Davis doesn’t consider them to be quite as durable as those made of natural teak, stainless steel or coated metal.
Investing in quality outdoor furniture can be another upfront cost that pays off in the long run. Furniture made with long-lasting materials and with a high level of craftsmanship can last for years outdoors with the right care, whereas cheaper models often need to be replaced after a few seasons. “Outdoor furniture should generally be natural teakwood, stainless steel or other metals with very durable, industrially applied paint finishes,” architect Paul Davis says.
While there are also many waterproof outdoor products made from fiberglass or plastic-based materials, Davis doesn’t consider them to be quite as durable as those made of natural teak, stainless steel or coated metal.
If it feels like almost every aspect of a landscape remodel is arguably a good place to invest, you’re right, and that’s what can make this decision process challenging. It’s almost always a good idea to invest in quality materials and craftsmanship. However, there are places where you can save on a landscape remodel without compromising quality or style.
Your turn: Tell us, Where have you saved or invested in a landscape remodel?
Next: Where to Save Money on a Landscape Remodel
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Your turn: Tell us, Where have you saved or invested in a landscape remodel?
Next: Where to Save Money on a Landscape Remodel
More on Houzz
Read more landscape stories
Browse outdoor photos for ideas
Find a landscape contractor
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Just as you wouldn’t embark on a substantial trip without a clear map, don’t start a large-scale landscape overhaul without a master plan, even if you plan to accomplish the project in phases. Your master plan will act as a blueprint for your yard, with a complete mapping of plants, hardscape, shade structures, water features and anything else you’re planning to include in your landscape design. It also will include practical elements, like where to extend utility lines if needed.
Even if you don’t plan to renovate your entire landscape at once, consider commissioning a master plan for what you’d like to achieve with your outdoor space. It allows the designer and homeowner to map out a logical design and construction schedule, preventing costly and avoidable surprises, like needing to dig through planted beds to trench utility lines or haul heavy equipment over a newly installed patio, down the line.
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