The planning stage of creating a landscape requires you to carefully think about what you would like to do, figuring out the budget for your landscaping. If you do not carefully plan your landscape, the process can become very costly and you might end up with something you do not want. When you think carefully about what you are doing and create a plan, you’re much more likely to experience a successful landscape design for your home.

The first thing you should know is your landscape budget. Do you have enough money to execute your entire design straight away? You need to decide how much money you have on hand for each stage of your design, and what you’ll do if you cross the line under finances. The main thing is you need to set a target amount for your landscape project and then stay within the budget.

As a rule of thumb, the cost of landscaping is roughly about 5-10 percent of the value of your home. This cost estimation includes decks, patios, irrigation, fencing, ponds, and other elements you want to incorporate into your backyard. It is not necessary to finish everything at the same time. It’s much more practical to progressively make improvements over the years with ready money than getting yourself into heavy debt because of landscaping.

Before when you do your budgeting for your landscaping project. There are many hidden costs in nearly any landscaping project. It is imperative to be alert to some of the costs that you might not usually think of before you begin a project. Or else, you will find that the projects true cost is much more than what you have budgeted for. Worse still, you may realize that you are unable to afford the monthly expenses that is needed to sustain the operation of your landscaping design.

To give you some quick guide, here are some areas where you can possibly under estimate the costs:

The first hidden cost is having landscaping features that require lighting. Most people only consider the cost of buying those landscaping features without considering the cost of operation. You can minimize your electrical bill by buying energy saving lighting. Another way to reduce your electrical cost is to reserve the use of your outdoor lighting for times when you are entertaining people outdoor, or when you are sitting in your yard at night.

Another hidden cost is the cost of water consumption. Water consumption for some landscaping feature can cost a bomb to your monthly electrical bill. Some examples of landscaping design that need substantial water consumption include the water sprinkler system for your lawn, a small pond and your water fountain. It is a good idea to bear in mind the amount of additional water you will be using to. This can add up to be quite a bit of extra water, and if you city charges more money once your usage reaches a certain point, it can be even more costly. Some people spend a fortune making expensive water features, only to realize that they are unable to afford the daily operation. What a waste.

Last but not least is the cost of soil improvement. If you have landscaping materials such as a plant or a lawn, you will have to add fertilizer to your soil regularly in order to maintain the healthy grown of your plant. The costs of adding fertilizer to your yard can easily add up. This problem can be minimized by choosing plants that grow well in the soil you have, or in near conditions, so that you can save a great deal on soil amendment. Most local master gardeners will give you guidance on native plants for free, or for a very small fee.

There are ways to save your landscaping cost. One way is to approach your neighbors about sharing costs. If you gather your resources, you can get some good bargain on items bought in bulk, and everyone benefits. At the same time, you can split the rental fees for machinery such as tillers, chippers, and aerators. If everyone chips in a few dollars, you can work out a calendar that lets each neighbor use the equipment before it is due back. This is how you can lessen the costs of your landscaping.

Once you’ve done your homework, and know exactly how much you can afford to spend every month, you can make your purchases without buying excess materials that waste your money. By heeding a few of these money-saving tips, you can hold down your costs and create a beautiful landscape that you can afford to maintain.

Cindy Heller
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