Landscaping is an enduring investment
A notable project has staying power and, like a fine wine, it only gets better with age. Landscaping is one of a few property investments a homeowner can make that will continue to improve. Renovating a living room or kitchen will look fresh and trendy for a certain period—and in the short term will pay immediate dividends if the home is on the market; however, it will inevitably begin to look dated, even with regular upkeep. Cabinet styles can go out of fashion, wall coverings may lose their vibrancy, and windows age and deteriorate.
This is not to say these types of renovations are not a good idea; however, before someone can see these interior upgrades, they have to enter the house first.
“A well-appointed front yard (i.e. curb appeal) is what will get people into the house to see the renovated kitchen,” says Brydges, who does residential landscaping projects across Ontario and in Halifax. “Quite often it is the simple things that add value. For instance, many people will notice a lack of shade; therefore, be sure the appropriate trees are planted in the right spot. In fact, the most popular request from our clients is adding privacy; a close second is shade.
“The best money a homeowner can spend with an easy return many times over—from a resale and environmental perspective—is trees.”
There is a timeless, natural quality to gardens and landscaping, as styles can last for generations. While flower trends may have cycles, they can be replaced easily and rather inexpensively year after year. On the other hand, trees mature into beautiful features, bushes grow to fill in empty spaces and provide a natural wall that creates a sense of seclusion and privacy, while hardscaped patios and paths withstand all Mother Nature can throw at them.
What started out as a $20,000 landscape investment—with regular maintenance and upkeep—could be worth five or six times as much a decade or two later. The job has to be done right, however. A well-planned landscape project has better infrastructure with proper grading and drainage, taking care of all the hidden details that will ensure it lasts for years. It also uses durable, local, and environmentally friendly materials (e.g. stone products).
“A large investment in a landscaping project without a plan is foolish,” says Brydges. “You cannot build without a plan. Many landscapes fail because water drainage has not been handled properly.”
In the real estate market, the initial investment in professional landscaping and regular care over the years is vital to getting prospective buyers through the door—particularly when considering the digital age in which people are now getting their information.
“Life is all about first impressions,” says Karl Vanderquip, a St. Catharines, Ont.-based real estate broker with Re/Max Garden City Realty.
“In real estate, this equates to the home’s curb appeal. That is why landscaping is so important to the desirability of a home. If people do not like the look from the front, the homeowner will be hard pressed to get them in the door.”
