After purchasing a property most homeowners hire an interior designer who can display their style in all the decor elements. However, if you have decided to buy a home with a large backyard or garden, you will also need landscaping services. In this regard, most people wonder what options they have to pay for landscaping. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know.
In case you don’t know what landscaping involves, here is a brief summary. Landscaping is the activity of modifying or creating a unique outdoor space. Landscaping workers achieve this by planting trees, flowers and shrubs. Sometimes they can even install structures or design a garden. Today several companies offer landscaping services for your home.
Since various factors determine the cost of your project, we are going to explain these before getting into the financing options available. The first thing you should understand is that the ultimate price of your project will depend on what you want. For instance, do you want an irrigation system? Or maybe you’ve always dreamed of having a water fountain. Keep in mind that if you hire a landscaping architecture or designer, the fees will increase.
Now, let’s take a look at the typical landscaping services that most homeowners pay for.
Average Cost of Landscaping Items
On average landscaping services, it will cost you $12 per square foot. This means that the final price can range between $3000 and $16000. The reason why the costs could vary so much is that, as we mentioned before, it will depend on what you want to install. Here is a breakdown of the most common items you could ask for.
Pond
This is a feature that will look great in a big backyard, but before you get one, make sure you have money to maintain it. Even though the cost of a pond is lower compared to a full-size pool it is still expensive. Depending on the design, a pond could cost between $2000-$3200. This price doesn’t include additional elements such as lights. Remember that if you plan to have a pond with fishes, you will need to look after them.
Water fountain
The majority of homeowners who decide to buy a water fountain have an extensive garden area. If that is your case, you can expect to pay $6,000 for this feature. You could reduce this price by changing the size and material of your water fountain.
Turfs
Even though it looks just like regular grass, installing turfs is a more eco-conscious option. Turfs need less water, and maintenance which will help you save money and time. The price will depend on the size of your yard. This means that if you have a broad piece of land, turf installation could cost $10,000.
Irrigation System
If you want to pay for a large landscaping project, chances are you will have to maintain all those features every month. And even when you could hire someone to take care of it, that is going to cost more money. To avoid this situation, one of the things you could do is install an irrigation system. This could help you water your lawn and garden better than a hose.
To cover landscaping costs, consider home equity loans, which offer a number of features useful to homeowners.
How to pay for a landscaping project
There are many ways in which you can pay for your landscaping project and beautify the exterior of your home. Here you will find a breakdown of them.
Savings
The first alternative you have is paying in cash, taking that money out from your savings account. This is the best option if you don’t want to gain more debt. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the interest rates. However, the decision of using your savings will depend on your current financial situation. Keep in mind you shouldn’t be spending your emergency fund since that money is meant to protect you in an unexpected event.
Credit Cards
Credit Cards are a great option to pay for small landscaping projects. In case you are thinking about something larger, we recommend applying for a loan. Before you use your credit card, you should evaluate your credit score and ability to respond. Also, double-check that you can handle your interest rate and have enough money to pay the debt on time each month. The great thing about using a credit card is that you can earn rewards for other purchases.
Home Equity Loan (HEL)
Even though we briefly mentioned home equity loans in the previous section, here we will explain how they work. Applying for a home equity line loan is the most popular option for homebuyers who want to finance their project with a low-interest rate. The advantage of having a HEL is that you can access the money at any time. This is useful in case you have to pay several contractors with different timelines.
Before getting a HEL there are some factors you should consider. First, you should have home equity, this means new homebuyers won’t be able to afford this option. Also, keep in mind that the process of getting your HEL approved is long. There is various paperwork to fill and then a slow verification process. Finally, be sure to investigate all the additional fees and closing costs you will have to pay out of your pocket before getting the HEL.
There is a chance you could also encounter the possibility of a home equity line of credit (HELOC). This one is similar to a HEL, but the only difference is that a loan is reserved for people who have a lot of home equity and an excellent credit score.
Personal Loan
Unsecured loans are the fastest way to get the money for your landscaping project. The reason why the process for these loans is so quick is that they are unsecured. This means you won’t need appraisals or to fill lengthy paperwork. However, you will need a good credit score, impeccable credit history and a steady income.
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