It helps to think of each part of the landscape as an individual project and create budgets accordingly. You also need to figure in maintenance costs and other recurring expenditures. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
What plants do I want? Consider a variety of plants and check their costs, sizes and growth rates. Cheap, fast growing plants typically cost more to maintain because they require more pruning. Slower growing plants may cost more initially, but they’ll save money on long-term maintenance.
What types of fences are available? Picket, panel, wood, vinyl, chain link—they all differ in cost and benefits.
What materials do I need? The types of materials will vary depending on what you’re building (patios, decks, arbors). Determine how much these materials cost before making a final choice.
Do I want special fixtures? What elements can I live without? Create your perfect vision of the landscaping project and then alter it according to your budget.
What will be the final cost (including maintenance)? You can calculate the approximate costs of your desired landscape by talking to professionals or looking online at similar projects.
When you’re ready to begin a landscaping project, you should hire an experienced contractor that can thoroughly explain your options and deliver on your vision. “There are people in this business who call themselves landscapers, but they’re not always professionals,” says Rich Kerri, owner of Kerri Landscape Services in Livermore. “For example, the person or company you hire should have the knowledge to create an irrigation system that’s properly pressurized.”
