Plan Your Spring Landscaping Budget (And Stick To It, Too)

The first day of spring is Tuesday, March 20.

Even though it’s November, you might be thinking ahead to spring. In particular, the landscaping projects you’d like to accomplish.

That means marrying your landscape design dreams to a budget that’s right for you.

With some smart planning and help from Wright Landscape Services, you can have an outdoor living space which accomplishes all of your goals, as well as:

• Boosts the overall value of your home
• Maximizes curb appeal
• Gives you and your guests a comfortable place to relax

So when you sit down and pull out your calculator, make certain you follow these budget basics.

Create a “F.O.R.T.” budget

A budget that’s easy-to-follow should follow the F.O.R.T. principle:

• Flexible: There are always some unexpected costs which arise with most (if not all) residential landscaping projects. If you have some extra money available for those additional expenses, your project will be more adaptable (and you’ll have more peace of mind).
• Organized: There are many elements of a landscaping project (i.e. building a retaining wall, putting in a waterfall and pond, etc.). Establish your budget to account for every possible item (that includes any labour, delivery, storage, or permit costs).
• Realistic: Unless you have unlimited access to money, you’ll need to have an honest assessment of what you can comfortably spend.
• Trackable: You should know where each and every dollar goes. Misplaced money will add up and impact your budget. Everything (even pizza money) must have a receipt and be accounted for.

Tips on making your budget

This part is fun.

Imagine money is no object and make a list of everything you’d love to have.

Don’t be shy. If you want it, write it down:

• New interlocking patio stones? Sure.
• Rebuild your front walkway? Go for it.
• Exotic plants and gardens from Asia? Absolutely.
• High-tech landscape lights? You got it.

This part is a little tougher.

Take a look at your master list and remove anything that isn’t a priority for your spring project.

When you do that, you’ll have a clearer sense of what you’d like to accomplish once winter ends and spring arrives.

Tips on breaking up your project

Let’s say you want to transform your backyard patio AND front driveway.

If your spring landscape project spans more than one area of your home, it makes sense to divide it into stages or segments.

Doing so will help you accomplish the following:

• It makes your budget easier to follow.
• You won’t feel stressed trying to change everything at once.
• You can dedicate 100% of your focus to each individual area.

Tips on sticking to your budget

Okay, now you have a number you can work with.

The next step is keeping to that number.

Besides budget discipline, there are a few ways to ensure you don’t break the bank:

• If you can do it yourself (without hurting yourself or the project), do it.
• Partner with a reputable and trustworthy landscape design company.
• Sign up to helpful landscaping blogs for tips and ideas.
• Get inspired by viewing other landscape projects you like.

Tips on using a professional

At some point, you may rely on a professional for things like design, delivery, installation, etc.

When you do, make sure to ask for a clear and accurate estimate before signing anything. And if your landscape contractor charges for consultation time, get it in writing too.

Whoever does the work (and whatever they do), save every single receipt (that’s the T in the “F.O.R.T.” budget listed above).

Let us bring your spring landscape project to life

Even though Christmas has yet to arrive, it’s never too early to think about enjoying the warm spring weather.

Plus, if you can finish that landscaping project AND stay within budget, it’s even more rewarding.

If you’re ready to take your yard from blah to bliss, we’d love to help!

Download our our backyard design checklist and start planning the backyard of your dreams! 

Still looking for some inspiration? We’ve got you covered with a free lookbook.