You don’t have to get away to the great outdoors. The best outside spaces could be in your own back—or front—yard.
The outdoor evolution
Today’s outdoor spaces are varied, intricate, and personalized. “It’s not unusual to see combinations of decks, patios, water features, and even fire elements,” says Rick Meinzer of Platinum Landscapes and Pools, in Utah. “Some of the best hours to enjoy the environment are not in the heat of the day.”
Evolving material selections also offer homeowners choices. For example, composite decking can eliminate splinters and maintenance. Pavers and retaining walls fashioned from concrete offer uniformity in color and appearance, making them an attractive alternative to natural stone.
First looks
Whether you are in the market to sell your home or not, curb is an important first impression. An attractive, well-maintained front yard is inviting to all who visit. And for those who are looking to sell, prospective buyers are given extra confidence that current owners paid as much attention to the inside of the house as they did the outside.
Another big seller can be a patio or deck of some sort. In fact, Kathleen Birkel Dangelo, VP of a landscape service in Ohio says that, “Some kind of deck or patio is essential to resale.” Adding that homeowners who don’t have one should strongly reconsider installing before they put their home on the market to get maximum value on a sale.
The professional approach
Frugal homeowners often tackle their own landscaping projects to stretch their dollars. Dangelo encourages individuals to at least meet with professionals before taking on a significant landscaping project.
“Do-it-yourself projects always tend to look like you did it yourself,” she says. If budgets are limited, Dangelo recommends developing a phased plan to implement over a series of years to spread out costs. Another idea would be to meet and see what makes sense for a professional to come in and do, and what you could accomplish yourself to help save money.
Money talks
Setting a budget is a smart step for homeowners who want to control cost and outcomes. Dangelo says landscapers can work with homeowners to review options in broad strokes and then together can home in on a plan and budget that meet the client’s goals.
Budgeting can also start with a broader view of your bank account. Liberty Savings can help you set a budget for your landscaping plans, or provide the funding you need to make your landscaping visions a reality. Stop by or call today at 201-659-3900.