Spend & Save: Where to Put Your Money When Planning Your Outdoors
US pros reveal where to spend money for long-lasting benefits and cost savings when redesigning your outdoor space
Whether you’re planning to spruce up your front yard or are embarking on a full-scale landscape redesign, determining where to invest your budget can feel like navigating an endless stream of decisions that is not always straightforward.
1. A master plan
Just as you wouldn’t embark on a substantial trip without a clear map, don’t start a large-scale landscape overhaul without a master plan, even if you hope to accomplish the project in phases. Your master plan will act as a blueprint for your yard or outdoor space, with a complete mapping of plants, hardscape, shade structures, water features and anything else you’re planning to include in your landscape design. It also will include practical elements, such as where to extend plumbing or wiring if needed.
Even if you don’t plan to renovate your entire landscape at once, consider commissioning a master plan for what you’d like to achieve with your outdoor space. “With a complete master plan, a client can break a project into logical and affordable phases of construction,” says landscape architect Steve Kikuchi of Kikuchi + Kankel Design Group in the USA.
It allows the designer and homeowner to map out a logical design and construction schedule, preventing costly and avoidable surprises, such as needing to dig through planted beds to trench utility lines or haul heavy equipment over a newly installed patio, down the line.
Just as you wouldn’t embark on a substantial trip without a clear map, don’t start a large-scale landscape overhaul without a master plan, even if you hope to accomplish the project in phases. Your master plan will act as a blueprint for your yard or outdoor space, with a complete mapping of plants, hardscape, shade structures, water features and anything else you’re planning to include in your landscape design. It also will include practical elements, such as where to extend plumbing or wiring if needed.
Even if you don’t plan to renovate your entire landscape at once, consider commissioning a master plan for what you’d like to achieve with your outdoor space. “With a complete master plan, a client can break a project into logical and affordable phases of construction,” says landscape architect Steve Kikuchi of Kikuchi + Kankel Design Group in the USA.
It allows the designer and homeowner to map out a logical design and construction schedule, preventing costly and avoidable surprises, such as needing to dig through planted beds to trench utility lines or haul heavy equipment over a newly installed patio, down the line.
Most homeowners hire a landscape architect or designer to draw up a master plan. Fees vary depending on the professional and the size and scope of the project, but it’s money well-spent both in the short- and long-term.
While a master plan may feel like a splurge upfront, Kikuchi points out that investing in a full master plan from the start can lead to cost savings down the line. “I always encourage master plan services, as our fees will be a lesser cost total than designing numerous separate projects over a span of years,” he says.
While a master plan may feel like a splurge upfront, Kikuchi points out that investing in a full master plan from the start can lead to cost savings down the line. “I always encourage master plan services, as our fees will be a lesser cost total than designing numerous separate projects over a span of years,” he says.
This backyard in California, USA, by Kikuchi + Kankel Design Group, packs a lot of features into a 167-square-metre space, including a plunge pool, a covered dining patio, a fireplace, a private relaxation area, a fountain and an outdoor shower. A well-thought-out master plan was key to creating a cohesive landscape design and successfully installing all the elements without having much wiggle room for navigating heavy equipment.
2. Skilled artisans and trades
Investing in experienced tradespeople is key to ensuring proper installation of a landscape plan. “The design can only get you so far,” says landscape designer and builder Heather Sweeney of Mom’s Design Build in the USA. “You need to have a great crew behind you that can implement the design and understand what is important.”
Sweeney designed this cottage-style landscape outside a home in Minneapolis, USA. Touches including a new custom arbour and pathways made of a mix of pavers and brick prominently showcase the skill of her installation team.
The decisions to repurpose materials and refinish the existing white picket fence, rather than installing a new one, helped save Sweeney’s clients’ budget without compromising on style.
Investing in experienced tradespeople is key to ensuring proper installation of a landscape plan. “The design can only get you so far,” says landscape designer and builder Heather Sweeney of Mom’s Design Build in the USA. “You need to have a great crew behind you that can implement the design and understand what is important.”
Sweeney designed this cottage-style landscape outside a home in Minneapolis, USA. Touches including a new custom arbour and pathways made of a mix of pavers and brick prominently showcase the skill of her installation team.
The decisions to repurpose materials and refinish the existing white picket fence, rather than installing a new one, helped save Sweeney’s clients’ budget without compromising on style.
If you’re hiring a landscaper, stone mason, carpenter or any other artisans or trades, do your research and hire the best you can afford. Read reviews online, look at examples of candidates’ past work and go by referrals. If you’re working with a landscape designer or firm, the professional will likely coordinate and hire specialty artisans on your behalf.
3. Hardscape and other permanent elements
When it comes to hardscaping and permanent features of the landscape, such as patios, walkways, steps and retaining walls, it pays to invest in the best quality and installation you can afford. Choose durable, long-lasting materials like natural stone, rot-resistant wood, brick, concrete and tile, and work with an experienced tradesperson.
Landscape designer Kathryn Prideaux in Arizona, USA, says pools are one element to invest in wisely. “It is absolutely critical to use a reputable pool builder that has experience and good referrals,” says Prideaux. “Homeowners can really get themselves into trouble down the road by trying to save money on pool construction.”
When it comes to hardscaping and permanent features of the landscape, such as patios, walkways, steps and retaining walls, it pays to invest in the best quality and installation you can afford. Choose durable, long-lasting materials like natural stone, rot-resistant wood, brick, concrete and tile, and work with an experienced tradesperson.
Landscape designer Kathryn Prideaux in Arizona, USA, says pools are one element to invest in wisely. “It is absolutely critical to use a reputable pool builder that has experience and good referrals,” says Prideaux. “Homeowners can really get themselves into trouble down the road by trying to save money on pool construction.”
Prideaux designed this 8.8 x 2.7-metre plunge pool in a backyard in Arizona for the homeowners to cool off in the desert heat. She says that elements such as in-floor pop-up cleaning heads and a durable interior finish help give the pool longevity and save in maintenance costs over time.
Browse more stunning outdoor spaces and gardens
Browse more stunning outdoor spaces and gardens
4. At least one high-impact feature
It’s worth considering splurging on at least one standout element that elevates your overall design, acting as a focal point, a functional feature or both. This can vary depending on your site and design, from a specially detailed shade pergola to a water feature or specimen tree.
This front yard in California, USA, needed increased privacy and security, and a wooden fence and entryway gate add beauty and serve a function. “A formal entry gate is something that people will see, touch and feel daily for many years,” says landscape architect Ian Moore, who designed the garden and also built the fencing and gate by hand.
It’s worth considering splurging on at least one standout element that elevates your overall design, acting as a focal point, a functional feature or both. This can vary depending on your site and design, from a specially detailed shade pergola to a water feature or specimen tree.
This front yard in California, USA, needed increased privacy and security, and a wooden fence and entryway gate add beauty and serve a function. “A formal entry gate is something that people will see, touch and feel daily for many years,” says landscape architect Ian Moore, who designed the garden and also built the fencing and gate by hand.
Moore says that when it comes to gate design, the quality of materials and workmanship can make a big difference in how long the gate or fencing lasts. For the Californian garden, he used western red cedar, a naturally rot-resistant wood, for the fencing and gate and high-quality hinges and latches. “Your gate is only as good as its hardware,” says Moore.
5. Problem solvers for site challenges
If your site comes with existing challenges – such as a steep slope or drainage issues – cheap, cobbled-together solutions will rarely solve the problems and can lead to larger issues (and bigger expenses) down the line. It’s wise to invest in the right solution upfront.
Adding retaining walls to this sloped front yard in Denver, USA, solved an awkward grade change and enhanced the home’s curb appeal. Dustin Farmer of Stems Garden Design and Maintenance, who designed the garden, used the retaining walls to showcase a selection of low-water and native plants.
If your site comes with existing challenges – such as a steep slope or drainage issues – cheap, cobbled-together solutions will rarely solve the problems and can lead to larger issues (and bigger expenses) down the line. It’s wise to invest in the right solution upfront.
Adding retaining walls to this sloped front yard in Denver, USA, solved an awkward grade change and enhanced the home’s curb appeal. Dustin Farmer of Stems Garden Design and Maintenance, who designed the garden, used the retaining walls to showcase a selection of low-water and native plants.
6. Heat and landscape lighting
If you’re planning to enjoy your garden in the evening or like coming home to a softly lit outdoor space, sources of light and warmth can be well worth including in the design. “Lighting is worth the investment, as you get more time out of the day to enjoy your garden,” says Sweeney. For this cottage garden, she included lantern-style pathway lights as well as wall-mounted light fixtures on the home’s exterior to illuminate the garden at night.
For long-lasting exterior and garden lighting, look for LED and solar-powered lights and casings made of durable, outdoor-appropriate materials, treated for exposure to moisture.
If you’re planning to enjoy your garden in the evening or like coming home to a softly lit outdoor space, sources of light and warmth can be well worth including in the design. “Lighting is worth the investment, as you get more time out of the day to enjoy your garden,” says Sweeney. For this cottage garden, she included lantern-style pathway lights as well as wall-mounted light fixtures on the home’s exterior to illuminate the garden at night.
For long-lasting exterior and garden lighting, look for LED and solar-powered lights and casings made of durable, outdoor-appropriate materials, treated for exposure to moisture.
7. Mature trees
If you’re starting from a blank slate with a landscape redesign, one or two mature trees can accelerate the process of making your garden feel grown in. For this San Francisco, USA garden, landscape architect Katharine Webster brought in a mature olive tree to set the stage for a Mediterranean-themed patio. In general, shallow-rooting trees, like palms and olives, can be bought in more mature sizes, while trees such as oaks or maples can be purchased as semi-mature specimens.
If you’re starting from a blank slate with a landscape redesign, one or two mature trees can accelerate the process of making your garden feel grown in. For this San Francisco, USA garden, landscape architect Katharine Webster brought in a mature olive tree to set the stage for a Mediterranean-themed patio. In general, shallow-rooting trees, like palms and olives, can be bought in more mature sizes, while trees such as oaks or maples can be purchased as semi-mature specimens.
Large trees often come in standard sizes. When selecting the tree type and size for your landscape, be sure to factor in the cost of transportation and installation. It’s best to consult your landscape designer before getting your heart set on a huge tree – he or she will know if it’s suitable for the site.
While you may want to invest in one or two mature trees, weigh up the costs of buying many other plants too – quick-growing herbs, perennials, ground covers, ornamental grasses, vines and more – in small sizes. These cost less and many will grow to mature sizes quickly.
While you may want to invest in one or two mature trees, weigh up the costs of buying many other plants too – quick-growing herbs, perennials, ground covers, ornamental grasses, vines and more – in small sizes. These cost less and many will grow to mature sizes quickly.
8. Proper irrigation
Your irrigation system is another portion of the installation where it pays to invest. The cost of replacing dead plants can add up quickly, as can your monthly water bill if plants are being overwatered or there is a leak anywhere in the system. If you’re working with a landscape architect, designer or gardener for your landscape makeover, he or she will most likely be able to recommend professionals who are skilled at setting up irrigation systems. If you’re hiring someone on your own, again, do your research.
It can be worth it to invest in a smart irrigation system with automatic sensors, weather-based systems or the ability to have multiple zones with different water needs on a single system.
Your irrigation system is another portion of the installation where it pays to invest. The cost of replacing dead plants can add up quickly, as can your monthly water bill if plants are being overwatered or there is a leak anywhere in the system. If you’re working with a landscape architect, designer or gardener for your landscape makeover, he or she will most likely be able to recommend professionals who are skilled at setting up irrigation systems. If you’re hiring someone on your own, again, do your research.
It can be worth it to invest in a smart irrigation system with automatic sensors, weather-based systems or the ability to have multiple zones with different water needs on a single system.
9. Quality outdoor furniture
Investing in quality outdoor furniture can be another upfront cost that pays off in the long run. Furniture made with long-lasting materials and with a high level of craftsmanship can last for years outdoors with the right care, whereas cheaper models often need to be replaced after a few seasons.
“Outdoor furniture should generally be natural teak, stainless steel or other metals with very durable, industrially applied paint finishes,” says California-based architect Paul Davis.
Investing in quality outdoor furniture can be another upfront cost that pays off in the long run. Furniture made with long-lasting materials and with a high level of craftsmanship can last for years outdoors with the right care, whereas cheaper models often need to be replaced after a few seasons.
“Outdoor furniture should generally be natural teak, stainless steel or other metals with very durable, industrially applied paint finishes,” says California-based architect Paul Davis.
While there are also many waterproof outdoor products made from fibreglass or plastic-based materials, Davis doesn’t consider them to be quite as durable as those made of natural teak, stainless steel or coated metal. Davis designed this patio in California and chose a set of furniture made of weather-resistant, powder-coated aluminium and vinyl-polyester mesh.
If it feels like almost every aspect of a landscape redesign is arguably a good place to invest, you’re right, and that’s what can make this decision process challenging. It’s almost always a good idea to invest in quality materials and craftsmanship. However, there are places where you can save on a garden design without compromising quality or style.
Your turn
Tell us, Where have you saved or splurged in a landscape redesign? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to like this story if you found it useful, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Need more on how to handle your design building budgets? Read expert advice from Serial Renovators on How to Set Up and Stick to a Budget
Tell us, Where have you saved or splurged in a landscape redesign? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to like this story if you found it useful, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Need more on how to handle your design building budgets? Read expert advice from Serial Renovators on How to Set Up and Stick to a Budget
Redoing your garden or outdoor space? Find a landscape architect or designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients