Top 5 Landscaping Projects with the Highest Return on Investment (ROI)

Burkholder Brothers Landscape does all types of outdoor home improvements. We have collected information about which ones give you the best value for your hard-earned dollars. Some of the enhancements are so simple that they might surprise you.

One of the most significant ways homeowners can increase their ROI on outdoor landscaping projects is to maximize curb appeal. Prospective buyers look carefully at landscaping when inspecting different houses, so the landscaping needs to be attractive and pristine. For example, suppose a buyer is looking at 2 different houses: one only has foundation planting in the front yard, while the other has more vibrant front yard landscaping with flower beds, window boxes, and other landscape features.

As a result, the buyer is far more likely to be attracted to and willing to pay more for the second house, allowing you to recoup more of your investment by listing your home at a higher price.

Essential lawn maintenance and upkeep improve curb appeal, but did you know that simply controlling weed growth and fertilizing can yield a ROI of nearly 270%? That is what a 2018 joint study by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found.

In addition to improving your landscape, you can also add various landscape elements to your property to increase your ROI.

• Walkways or stepping stones make traversing your yard easier (and cleaner when mud is present), and they also make a yard appear more cared for.
• Large planters are visually appealing and relatively inexpensive.
• Outdoor lighting adds greater security and more time to enjoy your outdoor living spaces.

The NALP and NAR study found that these types of upgrades can yield approximately an 80% ROI, and outdoor lighting can return 50% of the costs, primarily if you use the lighting to accentuate other aspects of your property, such as showing off the nearby plants or highlighting the architecture of your home.

Other types of landscaping projects that can make your outdoor space more usable and provide a high ROI are patios and decks. The addition of these exterior structures adds much value to a home in the eyes of homeowners and buyers. For example, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2021 Cost vs. Value Report, a new deck can return around 60-70% on your investment, depending on the materials used. This feature adds usable living space for your family. In addition the addition can complement your landscape and architecture while increasing your living space and making room for entertaining options, like eating or cooking areas and even a spa.

Outdoor kitchens have become increasingly popular landscape features for homeowners over the past few years. An outdoor kitchen can be a landscape project that helps seal the deal when convincing prospective homeowners or buyers to buy your house. Some of the most common outdoor kitchen features are grills, dining areas, and outdoor bars that include built-in coolers and sinks. Other elements that you can consider adding to an outdoor kitchen that might help set your property apart from others in the eyes of buyers are firepits and pizza ovens. Based on the NALP and NAR study, you can expect a return on investment of approximately 70% if your outdoor kitchen project is relatively simple.

Adding upgraded soil that better nurtures grass and plant growth is one of the relatively simple landscaping projects that improve the overall look of your lawn. Lush shrubs and trees lend privacy, shade, and beauty. According to the University of Washington, larger trees in yards can add around 3% to 15% to your home’s value while increasing your pride and pleasure in your landscape.