The Four Drivers of Cost

When embarking on a landscaping project, there are a number of factors which have an impact on your budget. Some of these factors will be well under your control, such as whether you choose a spacious patio or a simple lawn as an entertaining area. Other factors, such as the size of your home or the layout of your land, are difficult or impossible to change. Howard Roberts of Liquidscapes, Inc in Pittstown, NJ shares the four major factors which have the biggest impact on your budget.

1. Inherited site conditions.
   Once you close escrow on a home, there are certain characteristics of the land that you'll be stuck working with in order to do a landscaping project. Soil type and conditions, steep slopes, major runoff and water issues and conditions of the land such as whether it is a wooded lot or has a natural spring can each have a positive or negative influence on your landscaping budget, depending on the end result you want.
2. The size of your home and property.
   "The size, scale and proportions of your home and property will drive the costs of the work," says Roberts. "A home that is 10,000+ square feet opposed to a 3,000+ square foot home requires a different design approach in order to meet the necessary scale that has already been dictated. I would say to a client, the front of my home is 40’ in length and yours is over 150’, it has more space and area to be addressed.” Your patio, pathways, pool, and other landscape features should be designed to look harmonious with the scale of your home or it will appear disproportionate.
3. Finishing and materials.
   The materials used in landscaping vary widely in terms of price. You could choose to entertain on a stone patio surrounded by a custom-built outdoor kitchen, select stamped concrete with a simple barbecue, or opt for deck chairs on a lawn. It's clear that each of these choices would have a dramatic effect on cost, but what may not be obvious is that many of these choices will be influenced by the materials used on your home. "Integration is essential to good design," says Roberts. "We try to integrate materials and finishes from the home throughout the landscaping for a sense of continuity." The best designs are typically the simplest designs, which actually make the overall design and look stronger. “You want your eye to easily absorb the space, like art,” Roberts says.
4. Landscape features.
   The overall program, or features you desire, will also have a strong impact on cost. "Do you want a pool, a tennis court, a fireplace?" asks Roberts. If budget is limited, it can be helpful to prioritize the features you'd like to make sure you can afford all the elements on your must-have list. Again, this is a collaboration and should be a TEAM approach, so communication is the key. As you explore options and costs, along with understanding all the factors that effect and influence your project and goals, together you can come to a solution that meets your expectations.

“One significant way I have found over my 36 year career to offset some of these questions and issues is, where I go out with a prospect buyer and their real estate agent and access and evaluate the property and site before they buy. This is a huge benefit and value I bring and only wish more would take on this value,” Roberts says. “Along with assessing the property, I am looking to get a clear understanding of the clients/buyers goals and lifestyle, to make sure it conforms with the site/property, the local zoning requirements, their budgets, etc. Knowledge and doing your due-diligence is only going to reward you later in your decision making process, with everyone winning in the end.”

Since the landscape design process is always a balancing act between a complex array of factors, it's a good idea to introduce the right professional to the project as early as possible. “That time is before you buy or sell for that matter,” concludes Roberts.

To see more of Howard's work view the Liquidscapes portfolio.

Tips for Hiring a Landscape Pro

Landscaping Process

Talking Budget