Landscaping For Your New Home

Your Planning Process Will Help Save You Time and Money

Many hours of planning goes into designing the floor plan of your new home. Ensuring you have room for that big screen or sectional sofa are important things to consider, but just as important as those inside features are in your new home, it’s also what makes up the outside. We aren’t just talking about the exterior of the house itself, but the landscaping that surrounds it.

The landscaping of your new home gives everyone in the neighborhood a chance to see your personality shine through – without even entering your new home. Taking the time up front to do a little landscape planning will help ensure your outside oasis is set up perfectly to your specifications and help eliminate the element of surprise.

Map Out Your Space

Before you buy those bushes or put that shovel into the ground, map out your long-term plan. Many people landscape in phases, but knowing your long-term goals and outcomes will help you avoid extra costs and issues along the way. Graph paper works well to map out the dimensions of your yard, helping you create a scaled diagram of your space. Note locations of windows and doors so they aren’t blocked by any new additions and also mark anything that is currently there such as large trees, septic mounds or propane tanks.

Mapping will help give you a better idea of the available space you have and will allow you to plot a tree here or shrub there, providing you that mental picture of what your landscaped space will look like. Also, make sure you are accounting for the mature size of what you are planting.

Many people enlist the help of a landscape architect in this process, bringing a professional design approach and ensuring that the materials and plant choices are appropriate for Wisconsin weather.

Get to Know Your Yard

Although there might not be time to learn about your new space before you move in, delaying the landscaping until you really get to know your space may be necessary. It is important to learn things like the sun and wind patterns before you move forward with something that might be costly to adjust later, such as a patio or permanent fire pit.

In addition to the sun and wind, take into account how rainwater flows and drains as well as the soil composition and quality.

Determine Your Budget

Everyone knows that budgets can quickly get out of hand when building, furnishing, and landscaping your new space. By creating a comprehensive landscape plan and determining what types of materials you want where, you can get a better understanding of where you sit budget-wise. A professional landscaper can help you with your budget, split it into phases, and work with you to accomplish your dream yard. On the flip side, if you are a DIY landscape expert, a well-planned landscaping strategy can also be accomplished.

Find the Tools

Sometimes the right tool for landscaping is simply the right business card! Many homeowners look only at the obvious costs—plants and hardscape materials—but underestimate the costs of substrate materials, trailer rentals, and tools needed for the job. The beauty of professional landscaping services are several fold – a comprehensive plan, a clear budget, a project timeline and simply a patio chair and glass of lemonade for you!

But, if you do intend to tackle the job yourself – you’ll need to have the right tools. Make a list of tools you will need and determine whether or not they would be worth buying or renting. Stores like Home Depot and other hardware stores offer a variety of supplies that you can rent. Renting tools doesn’t just save on today’s costs – it saves on storage and repairs over time. However, it’s smart to invest in the things you’ll need for years to come – shovels, clippers, and a wheelbarrow for example.

Personalizing your new home with landscaping should be an enjoyable experience. There are many helpful professionals, online resources and local store experts that can also offer you advice and tips. If you would rather leave it up to the landscape experts, your new home builder should be able to provide you with a trusted landscape partner that will help your personality shine through on the outside of your new home.