No matter what the real estate market is doing, you want to know which landscaping projects deliver the best return on investment, right? Whether you have thousands to spend or only a few hours of sweat equity, we\u2019ve got a list of projects that will give you the most bang for your landscaping buck. <\/p>
A dense, full lawn with few weeds is every lawn lover\u2019s dream, but it takes work to get there.<\/p>
According to a 2018 joint study<\/a> by the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the National Association of Realtors, six treatments of fertilizer and weed control on a standard-sized lawn will recoup 267%<\/strong> of your initial outlay. That\u2019s a good deal!<\/p> There is a caveat here: Before you hire a chem lawn company to make your lawn look full and lush, consider a green alternative. If you\u2019re planning to sell your home at some point, a growing number of home buyers are turned off by excessive chemical use. Families with kids and pets or people who want to grow a garden may be turned off by a lawn that has had years of chemical treatments.<\/p> Don\u2019t worry, there are DIY and chemical-free ways to make your lawn look full and thick, which will get you that top-dollar return on investment: <\/p> Estimated payoff: <\/strong>267% of your initial outlay<\/p> No matter how grand your landscaping looked when first planted, landscaping that is poorly maintained will lose value. Adding a few chores to your list might not sound fun, but you\u2019ll be happy you did when your landscape\u2019s value goes up. <\/p> Estimated payoff:<\/strong> According to the joint 2018 study<\/a>, you\u2019ll recoup 100%<\/strong> of your costs.<\/p> Want another 100%<\/strong> ROI in your lawn? Maintain your trees<\/a>.<\/p> Just as with smaller landscape maintenance projects, tree maintenance is essential to keep your landscape value from declining.<\/p> Nearly half of the Realtors in the 2018 study say they recommend that sellers get standard tree care completed before they put their homes on the market. <\/p> Estimated payoff: <\/strong>The good news is that keeping your trees regularly pruned, sprayed, fertilized, and removed, if necessary, gets you a 100% ROI.<\/p> If you\u2019re short on cash or time, what makes the biggest impact on your curb appeal? Second only to a basic mow, weed, and fertilize is mulch. Mulch adds foundation-level color and defines your flower beds like nothing else. <\/p> Estimated payoff: <\/strong>According to a 2019 Insights Report<\/a> from HomeLight, adding mulch to your lawn will give you back 126%<\/strong> of your investment.<\/p> If you\u2019re looking to create a stylish landscape, go with a pro. One study from Virginia Tech<\/a> calculated that a sophisticated design<\/strong> and larger plants<\/strong> offer the most increase in the perceived value of your home. <\/p> Looking for a competitive edge in your neighborhood? The study also notes that a well-landscaped home may provide a competitive advantage if sellers are competing for buyers. In addition, in a neighborhood with similarly designed houses, your landscape may be the one thing that differentiates your home from the rest.<\/p> And think of it this way: What kind of value do you receive from knowing your property will have a coherent, beautiful design at the end instead of something you wish you could change? If you want to undertake a larger landscaping project, a professional is a must. Local designers know all of the landscaping tips that you\u2019ll never think of as a novice, and they\u2019ll get the job done right the first time. <\/p> Estimated payoff: <\/strong>Although ROI may vary by project or locale, according to the Virginia Tech study, improving your landscape from \u201caverage\u201d to \u201cexcellent\u201d can yield up to a 12% increase<\/strong> in your home\u2019s perceived value.<\/p> Your real estate agent can provide expert advice in this area, but common sense will tell you who your home\u2019s next buyer may be. With that information in mind, you can design landscape details that suit their needs.<\/p> Basic idea<\/strong>: Keep your lawn at the same level of care and sophistication as most other homes in the neighborhood to maximize your ROI.<\/p> Basic idea: <\/strong>Bumpy cobblestones or pavers may not be the best choice if you know prospective buyers will likely be older.<\/p> Basic idea: <\/strong>Cultivate practices that create good relationships with your current neighbors and potential buyers.<\/p> Our most valuable resources are our hours and dollars. If your landscape design is inviting and<\/em> saves you time or money, you\u2019ve hit the jackpot. Here are a few examples of how to maximize efficiency and beauty in your lawn:<\/p> Automatic sprinkler systems today are time- and money-saving systems. They save time because you can program them to come on at set intervals. They save money by sensing when it rains and not over or underwatering. <\/p> Not only do you get water savings, but it protects your investment in your lawn, helping it to have just enough water to be healthy without breaking the bank.<\/p> Estimated payoff:<\/strong> According to the 2018 joint study mentioned above, irrigation systems return<\/a> 86%<\/strong> on your investment.<\/p> Trees that offer shade can provide substantial energy savings and increase the value of your property. The catch? Get professional advice so you don\u2019t plant trees that will:<\/p> If you get this right, you can substantially add to your property value<\/a>. If you get it wrong, the opposite is true. Consult a professional to get the job done well and add long-term value to your property.<\/p> Estimated payoff: <\/strong>A tree planted along the west side of your house saves you 3% in energy costs after five years and nearly 12% after 15 years per the Arbor Day Foundation<\/a> website.<\/p> Water is a huge issue for many West Coast homeowners. If you install native plants or low or no-water landscapes,<\/a> this may be a major selling point for a new homeowner. (Turn-key landscape, anyone?) It\u2019s also a money saver for you in the meantime. <\/p> Estimated payoff: <\/strong>Since landscapes take up to 30% (or more) of a home\u2019s water use<\/a>, knock off 30% from your monthly water bill to calculate your savings.<\/p> Of course, there is more to consider than ROI whether you\u2019re planning to sell soon or want to stay put for a while. Consider what value you\u2019ll get out of your landscaping now<\/em> as well as what returns you may see in the future. <\/p> Here are a few ways that landscape improvements add value now<\/em> in addition to providing future ROI: <\/p> To avoid making costly mistakes as you look to increase your home\u2019s value, avoid these \u201cLandscaping Features that Can Hurt the Value of Your Home.<\/a>\u201d<\/p> If you don\u2019t have a green cell in your body, let our <\/em>lawn care professionals<\/em><\/a> provide a 267% return on your investment with weed and fertilizer services. They also can maintain your lawn to get you the most return for your landscaping dollar.<\/em><\/p>
2. Freshen existing landscaping<\/span><\/h2>
3. Trim your trees<\/span><\/h2>
4. Refresh mulch<\/span><\/h2>
5. Hire a designer<\/span><\/h2>
6. Know your buyer<\/span><\/h2>
7. Design to maximize efficiency<\/span><\/h2>
Install an automatic sprinkler system<\/span><\/h3>
Plant trees to shade the house<\/span><\/h3>
Install native or low-water plants<\/span><\/h3>
8. Add value now (and later)<\/span><\/h2>