If you avoid eye contact with your front yard when you arrive home, don’t worry, you’re not alone.
As a new homeowner (or new home-planner) you’ve given so much attention to the actual house, decision fatigue sets in — and landscaping is forgotten. So, you buy another throw pillow and let the weeds take over! We see you.
If you make it through this blog, you’re already closer to leveling up your curb side appeal — and enjoying some serious garden eye gazing. But what’s it going to cost?
Bring in the pros or DIY: let’s chat budgets and backyards
Sure, watching reruns of Gilmore Girls and Selling Sunset for landscaping inspo is the logical place to start. But when Netflix keeps asking, ‘Are you still watching?’, it’s best to move on to phase two: budgeting.
What’s included when you call in the landscaping design pros?
They can cover it ALL and you just watch the magic happen. But, that kind of Real Housewives behaviour is going to cost you.
Even if you don’t go all in, every stage can add up: consultations, designed plans, softscaping, hardscaping, retic, compliance, access, permits… and even more if you want to go for a pool or outdoor structures!
Why go all in?
It’s like instant vs barista, there are clear benefits for going pro. Our advice: if you have landscaping experience (or Hermione-level willpower to learn), then dive into the deep end!
Otherwise, the pros can be worth every cent, adding a whole lot of value to your home.
So, what’s the bottom line?
Of course, every home is going to come with a different landscaping cost, but a good ballpark to consider is approx. 5% to 10% of the total value of your home.
But remember, the range is as big as a Crows v Eagles match (soz): anywhere from $1,500 to $6,000 for the initial consult and design plans alone! And you’ll be paying about $70 p/h for labour.
DIY landscaping: keep the cash and the creative control
For some Vidas, endless weekends in the garden are part of the home ownership dream.
For others, it’s a homestead horror. If you’re the latter, skip this part and start saving. For those who already know what rewilding is, read on!
Why go DIY for your new home landscaping?
Money. Obviously getting your hands dirty saves mullah but it’s more than that. You also get to stage out the project over the right planting seasons (you’ll learn what a planting season is), and you have full creative control — without copping the extra $ on design changes/customisations.
Get resourceful: treebates, upcycling, and going native
Even if you take the DIY landscaping route, unexpected costs can easily creep up! Here are four tips to stop you dipping into your ‘Japan trip’ account:
- Rewild your garden with natives. They can withstand our climate, keeping your water bill low and the wildlife happy.
- Opt for the Treebate Scheme. For the next four years, every adult in your house can get a $150 rebate on large native trees. Win.
- Make your garden edible. Have you seen the price of fresh basil lately?!!
- Skip Waldecks and Bunnings for your pots and plants and opt for Marketplace. There are heaps of incredible gardeners in Perth who sell established plants (pots included) for a fraction of the price!
Okay, so what Perth landscaping style is right for you?
If you got a flutter in your stomach — like watching the Eagles land a mark right next to goal — when you read about the Treebate Scheme and immediately followed Sustainable Holly on socials, you’re definitely a DIY-er.
Getting your hands dirty and drawing garden layouts on the Etch-A-Sketch (when you’re meant to be producing another Peppa Pig sketch) is your destiny.
So, start researching, set budget goals, and be realistic about what skills you have and who you can bring in for help. For those type A’s out there, a schedule (planted by season) will get you far on this journey.
If you can’t even imagine chatting to plant people on Marketplace, you’re gonna wanna bring in the pros. Sure, you might have to put Japan on hold for a while longer but hey, Margs is just as good. And the increasing value of your home will be worth it!
Still renting? That’s the best time to start!
You can’t hang a picture eye roll but you can start your gardening journey while you’re still renting.
There are heaps of portable ways to establish a garden that can then be established in your new home. DIY creative containers, propagate in small glasses, and even go big with modular decking.
Whichever way you go — pro or solo — plan smart and set your garden goals early. Every propagation station counts!
