How to Keep to a Budget When Designing a New Landscape

Budgeting is essential when it comes to designing a new landscape, not only do you want to ensure that you don’t go broke, but you need to have the funds to get it done quickly. Otherwise, you’re likely to end up with a half-completed design that takes years for you to complete and likely at a higher cost because of it.

Choose a Professional Landscaping Company

The first step might seem counterintuitive, and that step is to hire a professional landscaping company from your area who knows what they are talking about. Of course, this is going to cost you some money upfront, but it’s going to save you a significant amount in the long term.

Landscape projects are rarely cheap, but the cost of a professional landscaper is easily worth it. Their opinion can help you to save thousands of dollars and weeks of wasted time, especially if they spot a mistake in your planning.

Depending on what you are looking for, a short consultation might only cost a couple of hundred bucks, and that discussion could reduce your overall costs and give you a better plan.

Create a Detailed List and Be Strict

Secondly, ensure that you create an incredibly detailed list of what you need to purchase to create your new landscape and then be strict with that list. Don’t allow yourself to deter here and there because that will quickly throw your budget out of the window.

The easiest way to stick to this budget is to take more time to plan and prepare your list. Think through each of the items on the list and ask yourself whether you need them and if you want anything extra.

This can help prevent people from deluding themselves into thinking that they can achieve the landscape of their dreams for a small budget.

Compare Prices and Look for Deals

Once you start shopping for the elements that you want, take the time to compare prices between sellers and look for deals. While the quality of plants at the supermarket might not be as good as at a local nursery, you need to be willing to accept a lower quality in some cases or be open to altering your design.

Comparing prices between shops and taking the time to shop around can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in your design. A lot of stores will also have deals and being flexible with when you purchase products and start the landscaping can save you money.

Opting for Cheaper Trees

Trees are likely to be one of the most expensive pieces that you buy, especially if you choose evergreen trees, but opting for cheaper options can help you to keep to a tight budget. Evergreen trees are more desirable to a lot of people and that demand means that they can be relatively expensive.

Opting for a cheaper tree and having the flexibility to change your design to fit another type of tree can be the difference between coming in under budget and going way over.

Don’t Be Afraid of Empty Space

When some people start planning out their ideal landscape, they don’t want to leave a foot of space because they feel that it can ruin their design. In fact, the opposite is often true.

Space isn’t something to be scared of; it should be embraced within your design. Plus, not having to fill a space can save you a significant chunk of cash across a vast landscape. Rather than planting a third bed of flowers you could always opt for a cheaper, emptier space.

Take Advantage of Freebies

Finally, don’t be scared of asking around for freebies. A lot of companies and government agencies have too much mulch, too many plants and a vast amount of wood shavings that they want to get rid of.

Ask around to see what you can acquire for free or a nominal cost, and you have the possibility of saving yourself hundreds of dollars over small bits here and there.