Hardscaping is any part of landscaping that doesn’t involve plants. Hardscaping examples are retaining walls, stepping stone paths, retaining walls, gazebos, and garden fences. Another way to think about hardscaping is if you use something for landscaping design and it is not alive, it falls into hardscaping.
How Can Hardscaping Make My Home More Valuable
When most homeowners decide they want to boost the value of their home, they automatically start thinking about remodeling the kitchen or bathroom.
Truth be told, bathroom and kitchen renovations are not where you get the most bang for your buck. But, on the other hand, landscaping can absolutely provide a substantially larger return on your investment. And you don’t have to worry about knocking down walls or busting out the power tools.
Lighten Things up a Bit
We’ll start with an upgrade even the most inexperienced landscaper can handle. Adding or upgrading outdoor lighting can bring up to a 50% return on your investment. So why is outdoor lighting such a valuable upgrade?
Sprucing up your yard with outdoor lights is a winner on many levels. First, it creates an intimate, inviting atmosphere, perfect for spending evenings in the backyard with friends or in a comfy chair reading a good book to unwind.
Lighting up your front yard or the walkway to your front door is a great way to boost curb appeal and make your house stand out from other homes on your street. But, we saved the best for last. Having a well-lit yard is a safety feature. It helps to deter burglars or others looking to harm your property under cover of darkness.
The great thing about outdoor lighting is there is literally something for everyone. If you want to create an extravagant ambiance, you can spend upwards of $5000 on your lighting. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something quick and easy to light up your walkways at night, you can go with easy to install solar lights that won’t take a toll on your utility bill.
It Just Takes a Sprinkle
Sprinkler systems give you a chance to have your cake and eat it too. Not only will a sprinkler system keep you on track for growing one of the best-looking lawns in the neighborhood, but it will also save you money in the end.
Routinely watering your lawn is one of the best ways to keep your curb appeal high and improve your property value. But, unfortunately, a lawn full of grubs and dead spots doesn’t make a good first impression on visitors. Nor is it good for your wallet and your weekends.
Nursing an unhealthy lawn can be expensive and time-consuming. A sprinkler system helps you keep your lawn healthy from the get-go, saving you time and money. Most homeowners can budget around $3,500 for a sprinkler system. This is certainly not a small expense.
However, it will likely pay for itself. Using an automated sprinkler system to water your lawn cuts down on your water bill. You can expect to save over 80% on your water bill compared to traditional watering methods.
Now We’re Cooking
At the beginning of the article, we mentioned when many folks think of improving their home’s value; their mind immediately goes to the kitchen. As it turns out, creating an outdoor kitchen can add a pretty penny to the value of your home.
An outdoor kitchen essentially adds another kitchen, breakfast room, and entertainment room to your home for several months out of the year. With built-in grills, fire pits, or even fireplaces, and tables with inviting seating, you can truly turn your backyard into an entertainment destination for your family and friends.
Deck It Out
Who doesn’t like enjoying a beautiful day on the patio or deck? Spring through fall, spending your evenings and weekends on your deck or patio is a great way to relax and connect with your friends, family, and neighbors.
Here’s a little secret. Adding on a deck or well-designed patio can lead to a return on your investment of over 70% or more.
A great space to come together or unwind and a return on your investment of over 65%, it’s hard to beat the value a new deck or patio brings to your backyard.
Will Hardscaping Really Make Me Money
We have briefly explained how to profit from some of the more popular hardscaping ideas. But, if you’re a skeptic wondering if it’s really going to work for you, you don’t have to take our word for it.
Experienced realtors no potential buyers are much more likely to sign on the dotted line for a home with a well-landscaped yard. It’s not out of the question to add $200,000 to the value of your home with just a $20,000 landscaping investment.
If you don’t have $20,000 to invest, don’t give up on investing in hardscaping. As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to invest 10% of your home’s value into landscaping or hardscaping. However, if you’re not sure how to get the most bang for your buck, contact a landscape care service in your area for a little bit of guidance.