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Spring is in full swing! Now is the time you can take those backyard ideas and start putting them into solid plans.
Updating the landscape in your backyard is a great way to improve your home’s appeal, boost value, and extend your living space. You may find the right backyard makeover will make you spend more time outside rather than inside!
There’s only one problem, you need to determine the cost to landscape a backyard.
Whether your landscaping is a DIY project or performed by a professional, it will cost money. Knowing the costs to landscape a backyard will help you budget and find the right project for your backyard.
Here’s what you need to know about the costs of a backyard landscaping project.
Why Invest in Backyard Landscaping?
The biggest benefit to landscaping your backyard is the beautiful appeal it will add to your home. Landscaping transforms a drab unused area into an inviting escape. The benefits go beyond just improving the look and feel of your backyard.
Adding plants, like grass, gardens, and trees can keep your backyard cooler during the hot summer months. Trees planted to the south and west sides of your yard can provide more shade and keep your home cooler.
Natural landscaping with granite and plant life can improve air and water quality. Plants help remove carbon dioxide and smoke particles while adding clean oxygen to the air.
Plants and decomposed granite will filter and manage rain runoff.
Adding outdoor living space is a great way to improve your quality of life and extend your living areas. Getting outside, even to relax or meet with friends and family can calm the mind and promote relaxation.
Landscaping offers many economic benefits, the most notable benefit is it will improve your home’s value.
If you’re looking to sell your home in the next year or so, investing in backyard landscaping will raise the price and peak buyers’ interest.
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What Is the Average Cost to Landscape a Backyard?
Backyard landscaping prices will vary based on the project. Items that influence the cost to landscape a backyard include the size, project complexity, and whether it’s a DIY or professional project.
The average cost for backyard landscaping in 2020 was around $10,000 for professional service. The lower average cost is closer to $3,000 and includes new grass, shrubs, and additional plants.
The higher average is closer to $20,000 which includes professional landscaping designs, patio additions, retaining walls, and more.
There are a few more items that influence the cost to landscape a backyard:
- The size of your yard, larger yards will cost more than smaller ones
- Materials for the project
- Value of your home
- Deck and Patio additions
- Adding a retaining wall
- Ground pool installation
- Pond installation
- Pathway installation
- Repairs
Major additions to your landscaping, such as a deck or patio, can increase the cost by thousands of dollars.
Retaining walls and rock or concrete landscaping will also add a significant amount to your backyard landscaping costs.
Your location also affects the cost. Someone living in an area with a higher cost of living will pay more for quality landscaping. Those living in less expensive neighborhoods can expect to pay less.
The materials refer to anything added to your yard. This includes:
- Grasses, trees, shrubs, and other plant life
- Rocks and rock gardens
- Wood for decking, gazebos, and patios
- Rock, brick, or concrete for patios and walkways
- Pool materials
- Pond materials
- Fencing
Then there’s the matter of labor. If you hire a professional landscaper, you will likely be paying them by the hour. There may be extra fees to cover the cost of complex landscaping and the landscaping design process.
Find Your Backyard Landscaping Budget
The recommended budget for backyard landscaping is about 10% of your home’s current value. If you’re If your home costs $200,000, you should budget around $20,000.
This 10% budget refers to a full landscape renovation. Some full landscaping renovations with major additions may have a budget of up to 25% of the home’s value.
If you’re adjusting your current landscape or making minor changes, your budget should be less.
Every type of landscaping requires some type of maintenance and touch-ups. New lawns and gardens will need mowing, watering, and fertilizing. Expansive decks and pools will need cleaning and regular care.
Most landscape maintenance projects don’t require much work. You can complete most maintenance by yourself a couple of times each week or invest in professional yard care. A few common maintenance projects include:
- Lawn care such as mowing and watering
- Mulch
- Pruning of trees and shrubs
- Fertilizing
- Refreshing annual plants
- Tree work and stump removal
You can invest in professional lawn maintenance to improve the look of your current landscape or maintain a newly renovated yard. This cost can vary between $100 to over $300 depending on the project, location, and the size of your yard.
Backyard Landscaping Tips for Every Budget
Not every landscaping project needs to cost thousands of dollars. There are plenty of landscaping projects that will transform your yard at a fraction of the price.
Working with a professional landscape can save you time and money. They’re experts in their field and know how to complete a job right the first time. This same experience makes them more efficient, allowing them to complete the job in less time.
Another advantage of a professional landscaper is most reputable companies are willing to work within your budget. Ask for quotes from local landscapers to find a reasonable deal from a reputable company.
The other option to complete your backyard landscaping by yourself. This gives you complete control over designs and materials. You’ll learn valuable skills while taking pride in the hard work.
The downside to a DIY landscape project is it requires a lot of physical work and time. If you don’t have certain skills, you may find yourself making critical errors. Take the time to learn how to complete the project correctly the first time.
Transform Your Backyard with Fresh Landscaping
Backyard landscaping is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors while extending your living and gathering spaces. The cost to landscape a backyard depends on your budget, your yard size, and the extent of the project. Knowing the costs will help you decide which project will best fit your needs.
Want to start landscaping your backyard today? Check out our latest Gardening and Design articles to learn valuable tips on how to make your backyard look amazing!
