Is Professional Landscape Design Worth the Cost?
Spoiler alert – yes.
Did you know that poor landscaping can be detrimental to your home’s value?
While quality landscaping can increase the value of your Midwest home by up to 15%, poor landscaping can even decrease your home’s value by up to 10%, according to a 2021 U.S. realtor study.
If you’re considering a landscape improvement in Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN, or Des Moines, IA, consider this.
The Return on Investment of Professional Landscape Design
We get it. It may seem tempting, cheaper, or even easier to do it yourself.
But, there are several compelling reasons why professional landscape design is worth the cost compared to DIY landscaping, especially when it comes to long-term value, functionality, and avoiding costly mistakes.
Proper Grading and Drainage
There’s nothing worse than dealing with foundation issues, structural damage, or basement flooding. Not only are these financial headaches, but these issues can significantly impact your home’s value.
What a Weller Brothers landscape designer does:
Our team knows how to ensure proper slope, drainage swales, and runoff management. This will protect your home and your hardscape investment.
Correct Plant Selection and Placement
Sadly, our ISA-certified arborists often must remove trees that are in poor health. Many times, this is because they were improperly planted by a DIY’er.
Like trees, all softscapes can fail prematurely if they are not suited for the environment or even for the specific location in your yard. That means you’ll likely end up paying for replacements.
What a Weller Brothers landscape designer does:
A designer chooses plant material that will thrive in your local conditions and considers size, seasonal interest, and long-term maintenance needs.
Integrated Design That Adds Value
Landscape design requires math and engineering, horticulture knowledge, and a strong understanding of design principles.
Very few homeowners have all of this. (If they do, they should be a landscape designer!) That’s what DIY landscaping is often piecemeal — a new bed here, some pavers there — but it doesn’t always result in a cohesive, high-end look.
What a Weller Brothers landscape designer does:
A professional design integrates hardscapes, plantings, lighting, and structures into one thoughtful plan that boosts curb appeal, function and lifestyle, and resale value.
Knowledge of Local Codes and Permits
This is boring, but it’s so very important.
Some features – like retaining walls, fences, or pools – require permits or must meet local zoning requirements. You can try to navigate this yourself if you have the time and the desire, or you can avoid fines or forced removals by hiring a professional.
This is boring, but it’s so very important.
Some features – like retaining walls, fences, or pools – require permits or must meet local zoning requirements. You can try to navigate this yourself if you have the time and the desire, or you can avoid fines or forced removals by hiring a professional.
Access to High-Quality Materials and Trades
Homeowners flock to big-box store options for their landscaping projects, which typically sell limited and lower-quality selections.
What a Weller Brothers landscape designer does:
For example:
- We partner with Legacy Trees to receive proper tree-planting training.
- Our landscape crews follow ICPI Concrete Paver Installer standards, which indicates a commitment to quality and adherence to industry standards when installing paver projects.
- Our teams have professional relationships with trusted vendors in our markets, such as Arborwise in Rochester, MN, Parklane Pool Co. in Sioux Falls, or Alair Homes in Des Moines. That means we know exactly who to call upon when we need the best of the best to support your landscaping project goals.
Future-Proofing and Phased Planning
Many homeowners plan to phase their landscaping project; maybe that’s a new patio this year, and adding on the outdoor kitchen next summer.
Without proper foresight and planning, future additions may conflict with what you’ve already built.
What a Weller Brothers landscape designer does:
Our designers can develop a master plan that can be installed in phases, ensuring everything works together long-term, including irrigation, lighting, and future hardscapes or features. Again, this saves you money and headaches in the long run!
Do It Right Once . . . Or Do It Twice
We have award-winning landscape designers throughout the Midwest in Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN, and Des Moines, IA. Reach out today to tell us how we can help!