How much does it cost to install a landscape?

A landscape is a good investment that can increase the value of your home by up to 15% (Money magazine 2000). That means a possible return on your landscape investment. And, its value can increase over time if properly cared for. 

 If you plan on selling your house soon, then you want to maximize the return on your landscape investment. In this case, a landscape needs to be in keeping with the perceived value of the house. A rule of thumb is that you should spend 10% of the house’s value on landscaping for the best return.

 It is just as much a mistake to spend too little on updating the landscape than to spend too much. Spending too much on the landscape may make the garden outshine the house. This may make the house look in need of updating or make it look eccentric. However, spending too little will make the house look cheaply dressed and give buyers the impression that the seller cut corners.

 If you’re not planning on selling your house, then the cost of installation depends entirely on what your needs are. It’s all about improving your quality of life and what that is worth to you. If the 10% rule above seems too costly, consider how much you would need to spend to update a room in your house. Then, compare that to the enjoyment and usability you would get by adding a new outdoor room to your landscape. Adding outdoor living space is comparable to adding or updating indoor living space and often cheaper when compared on a square foot basis. Think about which you would prefer.