Landscapes: What's Outside Can Grow Home Price

By: Jay MacDonald: REALTOR® Magazine Online
Outdoor improvements offer the most effective way for homeowners to drive up the price of their house, as lawn and garden landscaping typically boosts sale prices by 7 to 15 percent. By contrast, homeowners recover just 80 to 90 percent of their investment on interior upgrades.

The National Gardening Association reports that homeowners spent $36.8 billion on lawns and gardens last year, of which $11.4 billion was spent on landscaping.

The dizzying array of landscaping options can bewilder homeowners, so it is important to keep function in mind when designing a landscaping plan. Aging simulations also help alert homeowners to issues that could arise over time, such as a tree growing to obstruct a view or becoming out of proportion with the house. Given that many homeowners might not have an eye for outdoor design, enlisting the aid of professionals might be the way to go.

For smaller-scale projects with minimal engineering requirements, landscape designers--who require no certification and often arrive at the field from a variety of design backgrounds--may be sufficient. Landscape architects are better suited to larger projects, as they all hold four-year degrees in the field and have passed the Landscape Architect Registration Exam as well as completed a substantial apprenticeship.

The difference in qualifications is reflected in their fees, as designers typically earn $50 to $100 per hour; while architects command between $150 and $250 per hour.