How Professional Landscape Design Services Can Increase Property Value

A professionally designed landscape increases property value, which can be a significant selling point for potential buyers. However, the return on investment varies depending on how it is used.

Hardscapes are the fixed, non-living components of a landscaping design. Plantings, or softscapes, are grass, flowers, and shrubs.

Both hardscapes and softscapes must work together.

Curb Appeal

Many homeowners believe that their home’s value is only determined by its interior features, but the exterior also plays a significant role. A well-maintained yard with an appealing landscape can boost your property’s value by attracting potential buyers. It can also help you sell your home faster when the time comes to move.

Landscaping investments can increase your home’s value by 5% to 12%. Curb appeal was the top factor in a buyer’s first impression of your home. Overgrown grass, weeds, trees, and shrubs can turn off potential buyers. Standard lawn care service, landscaping mulch application, and regular pruning can improve your yard’s appearance.

A professional Los Altos landscape architect is the best way to ensure your landscaping is up to par. A landscape designer can balance the hardscape and softscape portions of your property. The hardscape elements are the fixed non-living components of your landscape, such as patios, decks, and retaining walls. The plantings or soft scapes are your landscape’s living components, including grass, bushes, and flowers. Professionals know how to use contrast to allow each element to stand out and bring a harmonious design together.

One of the homeowners’ biggest landscaping mistakes is not creating a cohesive plan. Doing a little of everything without a unified design will make it look disjointed and less desirable. This is why it helps to hire a professional landscape designer who can create a plan based on your needs.

Energy Efficiency

Having a lush, green lawn is important for homebuyers and has been shown to increase property values. The best way to ensure your yard looks its best is through professional landscaping services. It may cost more than DIY landscape care, but it’s worth the investment to add beauty and value to your property.

Another way professional landscaping can improve property value is by boosting energy efficiency. Strategically placed trees and shrubs can block wind around windows, reducing cooling costs in the summer and heating costs in winter. Hedges and windbreaks can also reduce noise, block unwanted views and provide privacy.

In addition to reducing cooling and heating costs, professional landscaping can help protect the structure of a commercial building from moisture, resulting in lower maintenance expenses. Suitable plantings and drainage solutions can also prevent water damage to a foundation, reducing the need for costly repairs.

Professional landscape designers use the design process to create a cohesive, purposeful landscape that works with your property’s architecture. The five steps of the design process include conducting a site inventory and analysis, identifying your needs, creating functional diagrams, developing conceptual designs, and drawing the final design plan. Each step ensures the configuration meets your goals and the site’s unique conditions. The result is a seamless, harmonious, and functional outdoor environment that increases your property’s value.

Privacy

Landscape design isn’t just about beauty; it can also be an effective means of increasing privacy. Attractive landscaping can block noise and traffic from entering the property if your home or business sits on a busy street. Professionals can also incorporate ponds, streams, and other water features into the landscape to attract birds and other wildlife.

A well-designed yard is a significant investment. If you decide to sell the property, it can increase your home’s value, making it more attractive to potential buyers. Professional landscapers understand how to design your space with the right size, color, and texture balance for a cohesive look. They can take your visions and ideas into a plan to maximize your space.

To become a landscape architect, consider taking horticulture, design, technology, math, and physics courses to prepare for the career. You can also join industry-specific groups and organizations to network with others and learn more about the field. Joining a landscape design association will allow you to connect with professionals in your area. Some of these groups even offer certification programs that you can complete to gain recognition and credibility. This will help you stand out in the competitive job market.

Maintenance

Creating beautiful landscapes is costly, and the project can take years to mature fully. However, the investment is often well worth it. A well-designed and maintained landscape can increase property value by reducing energy costs, adding privacy, and blocking unwanted views. If you would benefit from some support and advice before kickstarting your landscaping journey, you may find it helpful to contact a Westfield Landscaper (or elsewhere more relevant).

Regular landscape maintenance by professionals is also a great way to increase property value, and it can be done with various methods that do not require significant up-front investments. For example, a well-maintained lawn can be mowed to create the effect of a natural rock waterfall in a hidden corner. This can increase a property’s curb appeal by introducing the viewer to a focal point that makes them feel at home.

While extensive plantings like trees and shrubs are great for increasing a property’s visual appeal, it is essential to blend these elements with hardscape features and other plants closely. Similarly, overdoing lawn ornaments or installing an outdated pool can detract from a property’s overall value. Professional landscape designers are experts at recognizing what will work and how to blend different elements. They can guide clients in the right direction concerning their budgets and desired results. This skill is handy when determining the appropriate investment amount for water workings.