Is it Worth Investing in a Landscape Design Plan?

If you are planning on adding a swimming pool to your backyard, of course you hire a landscape designer to design and build it. But what about for your landscaping overall? What are the benefits of a landscape design plan? Is it a wise investment? Many people think a landscape design plan is either not necessary or it’s something they can’t afford, so before I do anything else, I want to tackle the question of whether or not having a landscape design plan is worth the investment.

Investing in Landscape Design
Most homeowners, before they take on a household remodeling project, ask themselves several questions 1.) How much use or enjoyment will this investment bring to me and my family? 2.) Will I be able to get a good return on my investment if I decide to sell my home? and 3.) What is a reasonable amount to invest in a project like this? Sometimes it can seem pretty cut and dry. Your bathroom is woefully outdated and needs updating. But does that mean you need a Jacuzzi bath? A large, double-head shower? Two sinks instead of one? These decisions and investments can be less about what is necessary and more about enjoyment. Often people decide return in enjoyment alone is enough to make the investment worthwhile.

The same holds true for outdoor landscape design projects. There are both enjoyment and monetary return-on-investment considerations, and often enjoyment alone can make the investment worthwhile. But the good news is, landscape design has an excellent return on investment from a monetary standpoint as well. A study by RealEstate.com (now Trulia) suggests that landscaping and hardscaping can deliver a return on investment as high as 150%, an ROI that puts it ahead of popular home improvement projects like kitchen or bathroom updates. A 2015 article in The Washington Post interviewed John Gidding, host of HGTV’s Curb Appeal, who said, “I have always heard the number 150%, but to me that is conservative. On a Curb Appeal project, I put in $20,000 and the sellers got $200,000 more than they had paid for the house just a year prior. The return was astonishing.” Giddings continued, “I would not say that every $20,000 gets you $200,000. It depends on if you are investing your money well.  The best strategy is to research the architectural style of your home and create a landscaping plan that matches.” According to the original study, the ROI statistics are based on investing in a professional landscape designer rather than DIY projects.

With regard to what is a reasonable amount to spend on landscape design overall, the rule-of-thumb most sited is 5% to 10%. However, on some new homes the budget can be as high as 30% if you include large hardscaping projects such as drives, pools, fences, front walks, patios etc. An important thing to remember is that an overall landscape design plan can be executed all at once or in stages over years, according to what you can afford.

What is Landscape Design Plan?
Every landscape design plan begins with a site analysis. A landscaping site analysis typically begins by ascertaining the footprint or basic dimensions and shape of your property, along with boundaries, setbacks, and easements. Existing features are noted, such as the architectural style of your home, the direction it faces, placement of trees, fences, walkways, and other structures. Issues are documented, such as power lines, tree roots, irrigation, drainage/erosion, sun exposure, shade, wind, noise, lighting, and curb appeal. Activities are discussed. How do you want to use your space? Is it for entertaining, playing, a vegetable garden, a display garden, spot for mediation, etc. Views from inside the house are considered. What can be seen from the kitchen window, family room, and bedrooms?

A professional landscape designer starts with this site analysis and typically creates a topographical map, and then a series of conceptual sketches, preliminary elevations and final renderings as your vision evolves and crystallizes. Landscape plans are done to scale and include natural elements like flowers, trees, and grass as well as man-made elements such as lawn furniture, fountains, and sheds. Landscape designs may also include overlays for irrigation and lighting. A labeled diagram can be created that shows the quantities, location, size, shape and color of specific plants to be used in the landscape. In creating a plan, a landscape designer is able to accurately determine costs for your long-term vision for your space.

Benefits of a Landscape Design Plan
The average DIY homeowner’s yard reflects the “on-the-fly” approach taken. Often this consists of hitting the garden center a couple of times a year and shopping from the predictable selection of what’s available at that moment. They may have a specific place in mind for what they are purchasing, or they may have several places and will see what “fits” where. Often, DIYers aren’t sure exactly how many plants they need, how close or far apart to plant them, or how to care for them. It is not unusual to find plants in a DIY yard are not compatible with each other or the site. Another issue we sometimes see is plantings that did not take into consideration normal growth patterns of plants over time. All of these issues can lead to plant loss, whether it’s shrubs, trees or flowers. The reality is that hiring a landscape designer can save you a lot of money over the life or your landscape.

As in decorating a room, a landscape designer can visualize how the colors, shapes, textures and patterns will work together. They have access to plants and materials you will not find at your local garden center that can take your landscaping to an entirely new level and will create a plan that will ensure you have seasonal color throughout the year. An experienced landscape designer will be familiar with all plants typically found growing in the area and the conditions under which they thrive or are stressed. A landscape designer will have a vision not only of what your landscape will look like today, but also what it will look like in two, five, ten, and fifteen years from now.

The bottom line is that many of the benefits of having a landscape design plan are the same as they are for any other well-conceived plan. A landscape design plan forces you to look at the big picture, assess the pros and cons of your current situation, articulate your objectives and priorities, and develop a vision and realistic plan to take you there.

For over 30 years, Bonick Landscaping has served Dallas area clients with the highest standards looking for out-of-the-ordinary luxury landscape design and pools by offering the best in service, workmanship, and plantings. Services include hardscape and landscape design, pool designs, pool construction and installation, estate management, lawn care services and garden maintenance, pool maintenance, and more. For discerning clients in Dallas who want to express their own distinctive style through their landscaping, Bonick Landscaping can help you realize your dream. Call us at 972-243-9673 or visit our website at www.bonicklandscaping.com.