Budgeting
How much should you spend on your landscaping project?
It is very common for our initial conversations with clients to hit a small roadblock regarding the budget of a potential project. There are several factors to consider when preparing for a landscaping project – hopefully, this guide will give you a sense of what is ideal for you and your ideal landscape project.
Some things to think about:
- What is the budget for the landscape design and installation project?
- Will it be done at once or in phases?
- What should your initial budget be?
Introduction: Selecting a Car – A Familiar Analogy
Imagine you’re in the market for a new car. Your choices will vary significantly based on whether you’re prepared to spend $5,000 or $50,000. The budget you have in mind sets the stage for what type of car you can consider – from a reliable second-hand vehicle to a brand-new model. This analogy applies perfectly to landscape design and installation. Just as with cars, your budget for landscaping will greatly influence the choices available to you in terms of design complexity, materials, and overall scope.
Understanding the Investment and Value
For homeowners, budgeting for landscape design is more than a mere financial consideration; it’s an investment in quality of life and property value. A clear budget allows for tailoring the project to fit both your dreams and your wallet. It’s about finding that sweet spot where your desires for a beautiful, functional outdoor space meet financial feasibility.
But what if you’re unsure about your budget? Start by thinking how much I am prepared to spend. Is that number $100,000, $50,000, $25,000, $5,000? What are your top priorities for the project, specifically what functional changes are you looking for? What tradeoffs would you be willing to make? Remember, you don’t need to have an exact figure in mind right away but having a range can guide the planning process effectively.
A Typical Homeowner’s Concern: “The contractor will take advantage of my lack of knowledge and increase their rates”
One of the concerns in the back of any homeowner’s mind a sense that they do not know how much it should cost. It’a nature to think if they reveal their top-end budget, the contractor will use every penny even if the project should be thousands of dollars less. We respect that concern, as it unfortunately does happen. Our goal is to build out a framework where you can trust Seattle Sustainable Landscapes to lead you down that design and installation process. There is a risk for the homeowner to be transparent in that way, but we believe you will find that providing a budget is the best way to find the best partner for the landscape design and installation project.
It can be difficult for some to trust a landscape contractor with a budget as some have had poor experiences with contractors in the past. It is important to be able to build trust to ensure the project goes as smoothly as possible. A great book on the topic of trust and efficiency is The Speed of Trust. We try to establish that trust and gain efficiency to create the ideal landscape while meeting budget.
In our experience, we seen countless hours and thousands of dollars wasted on creating designs and plans that were never realistic given hidden budgetary restraints. Our happiest clients are those that build trust and allow us to uncover their goals, priorities, aesthetic and budget.
In the Design Process: The Financial Blueprint
In the design process, budgeting is not a limitation but a guiding framework. It influences everything from material selection to the intricacies of the design. A well-structured budget helps in strategically phasing the project if needed. This ensures that each stage brings value and beauty to your property while helping the designer uncover the priorities of the project.
Budgeting for a landscaping project isn’t just about the immediate costs; it encompasses long-term maintenance and sustainability. A design that factors in future upkeep costs ensures that the landscape remains a joy rather than a burden. There is no sense in spending money on a design for a $50,000 installation if the budget is $15,000,
We Can Help You Craft Realistic Dreams
Seattle Sustainable Landscapes plays the crucial role of translating your financial boundaries into creative, on budget designs. When a budget is clearly outlined, it becomes easier to set realistic expectations and offer alternatives that fit within financial limits. This balance between creativity and cost helps in building a trusting relationship with clients, ensuring satisfaction on both ends. Often there are potential substitutions, the paver pathway becomes several steppingstones, the flagstone patio becomes gravel.
For clients uncertain about their budget, Seattle Sustainable Landscapes will be instrumental in outlining potential costs. Our installation team can help you understand where your money goes in a landscaping project. This education is invaluable in helping homeowners make informed decisions that align with both their aspirations and financial realities. That is one of the benefits of working with a landscaper with in-house design capabilities as opposed to an independent designer.
One of the benefits of working with us as a design build landscaping firm is that the design and installation is tightly integrated. This particularly important if there is a more firm budget. There is greater risk of poor expectation of cost when the design and installation are separate entities. With that being said, there are many experienced design firms that have strong relationships with their subcontactors – we are always happy to cultivate successful partnerships whenever the opportunity arises.
Determining Your Motivation for Your Landscaping Project
Thinking through the motivation of WHY you are wanting to start this project can significantly impact how much you should spend on your landscaping project. Consider:
- What is your primary motivation for this project?
- What are the secondary motivations?
- Is this home new to you?
- Are you sick of high maintenance?
- Do you have a baby on the way?
- Do you have pets?
- What is your timeline for enjoying this project?
- Are you selling or is this your forever home?
Reducing cost to meet how much you should spend on a landscaping project
Once you determined your budget what you are comfortable spending what can you do help reduce costs. There are often a few elements that can be adjusted to change the scope of the project.
Use a Phased Approach
The easiest way to reduce the project cost is to adjust the scope of work and push future aspects of the project forward. Depending on what is included there can be portions that are saved for later with the final project in mind. For instance, maybe Outdoor Lighting is out of budget for phase one but an irrigation system is included. It may make sense to prepare for the future outdoor lighting project by running wiring throughout the property while doing the trenching for irrigation. Similarly, maybe you only can afford 5 zones on an irrigation system now, but you can include 3 additional valves so that those zones can be easily added later.
Adjust the Plant Budget
The Plant budget is often one of the most flexible line items because the maturity can be adjusted. You can install the same species but maybe it is 1/5th of the size and a small fraction of the cost.
Adjust the Material Selection
Some times the material selection can impact the cost, not always just by material cost but also by the labor involved to install the different material. As an example moving from a paver patio to a gravel patio can significantly reduce the cost both through material and labor.
Change the Shape
Another factor in reducing the cost is the shape of certain elements. If you are selecting rectangular pavers for a pathway or patio then it will be easier to install them in a rectangular shape as the pavers will need less cuts so there will be less wasted material and less labor for installation.
Be Flexible on Design
Ask your designer build team if there is anything that could make this easier to install. Sometimes a particular design elements increases the overall cost. Reducing or expanding an element by a handful of inches my result in significantly faster installation. As an example, maybe adding 4 inches to the paver pathway means that the selected paver perfectly fits and doesn’t need any adjustments in installation. Check out our Design Page for more information!
Conclusion: Merge Your Financial Savvy with Your Aesthetic Dreams
Just as choosing the right car requires balancing desires with financial reality, the same goes for landscape design. A thoughtfully planned budget ensures that your investment in your outdoor space is both a reflection of your personal style and a wise financial decision.
Whether you have a clear budget in mind or are still exploring what’s feasible, remember that the journey of transforming your landscape is as important as the final destination. With the right planning and expert guidance, your outdoor space can become an extension of your home that brings lasting enjoyment and adds value to your property.
Get a Customized Estimate
Every project is unique, and so is its cost. Contact us to discuss your landscaping needs, and we’ll provide a detailed, personalized estimate.
Begin Your Sustainable Landscaping Journey
Transform your outdoor space with Seattle Sustainable Landscapes. Reach out today for a consultation and a custom quote tailored to your specific needs and budget.
From Our Clients
“This has been my favorite home improvement project. This company literally made me a yard where there previously was overgrowth, concrete, large stumps and rocks. They were able to complete the project on time and their cost was much more reasonable than others I interviewed. The project lead Fernando was hard working and communicative. The owner David (and Jeff previously) as well as the GM Chris all stayed in touch throughout the project. I would definitely use them for other projects in the future”
“The team put in an irrigation system in our front and back yard, cleaned everything up and added many new plants to the sunny and shady areas around our home. The owner was very personable, explained everything well and did exactly what he said he was going to do. He was fantastic to work with. His team was wonderful, super hard workers, and very friendly. They helped create color and beauty in every nook and cranny of our yard. My husband and I are very thankful we used this company.”
“Happy with my choice. I had a very small townhouse backyard that was a bit of a mess (low quality builder-grade plantings) and had somewhat of an idea what to do with it. They provided good advice and the final result turned out very well. Finished ahead of schedule too! One year later and I'm still happy with the result. I definitely won't forget the attention and responsiveness of this company. Thanks a bunch! ”