Any landscape installation project will have a cost, but this varies widely depending on the type of project, the size of it, the materials involved, and the timeline planned. Whether you’re interested in creating a patio, replacing your driveway, or improving yard drainage, it’s important to go into the project with an idea of how much money it will take. We’ll walk through several steps that help you create a budget for landscape installation.

What Steps Should I Follow to Create a Landscape Installation Budget?

1. Determine Your Project Goals

Start with what you envision the final result to be and work backward from there. If you ultimately want a large paver patio but have a very uneven yard that suffers from poor drainage, you’d have to add in the preliminary projects of grading and installing a drainage solution before ever laying pavers. If you already have a great space to put a patio that doesn’t need prep work, achieving your goal will require fewer steps to plan for. By thinking from finish to start, you can more easily break down what will be needed to meet your needs. You may find that your goal changes as you deconstruct the process, which ultimately changes the costs too.

2. Estimate the Size of Your Project

This includes both the physical size of the project as well as the scope of work needed to accomplish the goal. Taking the previous example, building a paver patio that’s just big enough for a table and chairs is much different than building one spanning 500 square feet. The amount of labor and the materials involved in a small space versus a large one can cause a dramatic shift in your estimated costs. As part of this calculation, you may change your mind about the size as a way to minimize costs so long as the end result will still meet your needs. When talking about the size of a residential landscaping project in terms of scope, it’s a similar concept: creating a simple poured concrete patio will be cheaper and less time-consuming than building a paver patio with specialized designs and an outdoor kitchen setup. The more limited scope of the smaller project will decrease labor and materials, whereas a project with many facets will escalate costs.

3. Calculate the Cost of Labor and Materials

Once you’ve determined exactly what your project will entail, you can begin to price out the materials. List out every piece of material needed, any equipment purchases or rentals, and the estimated number of hours required for labor. Adding up the costs for those should give you a solid ballpark for price expectations. One tip is to overestimate—if you think you’ll need 100 pavers, plan for at least 110. Projects often require more material than initially thought. If you luck out and need less, it feels much better to come in under budget. One of the worst feelings is having to spend extra money you weren’t planning on. Having a professional hardscape contractor like Greenway of Nashville provide you with a guaranteed estimate is a great benefit to helping control project costs without worrying about surprises. Landscape installation services may vary in price seasonally—be sure to find out whether the time of year impacts the labor required for your project.

4. Factor In Additional Costs

Many cities and counties have policies related to construction and landscaping work, including permit requirements. These often have associated costs that add up depending on the size of the project. While the charges may be reasonable, they still should be factored into your overall budget. There may also be unanticipated design fees charged by landscaping contractors for the planning process, though Greenway of Nashville does not. When consulting with contractors, be sure to ask about any additional fees they may charge outside of your estimate.

5. Save Up for Your Landscaping Installation

Once you’ve finished outlining your project, itemizing the costs, and factoring in other fees, it’s time to start saving! It may take a while, but remember that hardscaping projects generally have a great return on investment, making it worth the effort. Keep in mind that the price of materials can change depending on supply and demand; it’s not a bad idea to check on that periodically.

“Work with skilled Nashville hardscaping and outdoor construction professionals who understand your vision and respect your schedule. Contact us for a free quote!”

6. Choose a Qualified Landscaping Contractor

With the amount of money you’re investing in your home, you want to be sure the work is done right. It’s a big cost that should give you a return on your investment, but an unqualified contractor can lead to regrets, additional costs, and failed projects. Poor workmanship and low-quality materials can cause downstream effects for years to come that will drain your bank account even more. Skilled contractors like Greenway of Nashville have years of experience performing hardscaping projects with an emphasis on high ethical standards and business practices. We know how tight a budget can be, and we do our best to pass savings along to you the same way we would our family. Greenway provides no-obligation consultations so you’re able to hear options and make decisions without pressure. We use only high-quality materials to ensure the outcome remains amazing well into the future. It may be tempting to cut costs and go with a budget company, but the short-term savings lead to long-term troubles.

What Is a Realistic Budget for Landscaping Installations?

The budget for a hardscaping project such as a driveway replacement, patio installation, drainage solutions, and land grading will vary widely. A project like a small concrete patio may only cost a few thousand dollars, but a larger project that combines several components like French drains, retaining walls, and land grading will likely be a five-figure dollar amount. You should determine early on whether it’s realistic for you to have a flexible budget or if it’s better to stick with a maximum cost and adjust the project to stay within that range. The best approach is to contact a hardscaping contractor like Greenway of Nashville to discuss what you’re looking to accomplish so they can help you gather more details and outline a plan. Once the project is clearly defined, it’s easier to get accurate information on what your budget for labor should look like as well as materials involved. If you’re not here in Tennessee, searching “residential landscaping near me” will give you a starting point for finding a company in your area.

Our guaranteed quotes at Greenway of Nashville will provide you with a cost that you don’t have to guess about or worry will change—submit a form on our website or call us at (615) 238-4574 to set up your consultation.

Read more content related to:

• How Long Can a Concrete Driveway Last?
• What Does Landscaping for Drainage Look Like?
• What is a Realistic Budget for Landscaping Installations?