https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:46:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2520516 Sat, 09 Apr 2016 14:57:42 +0000 808love 2520516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>NO, you are not off your rocker. This is coming from a no debt person who rarely spends anything on the yard. I am so sick of looking at a half done yard and wish I would have made it all prettier in one shot long ago when we first moved in. It probably would have been cheaper than now, after saving up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2520179 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 19:44:56 +0000 Madison43 2520179@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll agree with everyone above - yes that number seems reasonable, even on the low side, but no I wouldn't borrow against my house for the cash to do. I know you want a usable space, so I would do the what I could afford to now with cash to get there - like you could do the lawn now, but defer the perimeter and mulch and plantings until next year. That said, if you have no grass now and need a usuable space asap, you may need to sod right? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2520171 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 19:30:05 +0000 Mrs D 2520171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So we may end up diy'ing some of it. Especially some of the planting around the front!</p> <p>Unfortunately in the back the main expense just are not feasible to diy! I don't trust dh or I to rent heavy machinery (and operate it) to do the grading. I got one quite today and of the $4k for the back yard only $200 of it was seeding and $600 was mulch. When I inquired about just having the mulch delivered and dh and i spread it he told me their mulch is Only $10 more per yard to install...so really it's peanuts.</p> <p>I just don't think the backyard project is one that can be diy'd at much savings !!</p> <p>@petitenoisette: so glad I am not alone on the "just get it done" and ignore the couple hundred in interest!</p> <p>Plus - it's worth a could hundred dollars for ne to have a green space asap for the girls to play in! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2519769 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 12:14:56 +0000 Modern Daisy 2519769@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We spent about $25k on our yard last year, but it needed a lot of professional attention. We had 15 mature 30+ ft trees taken down, a fence installed with gates for our 1 acre backyard and 20 new 7-8 ft privacy trees planted to block the view of our house from a street. None of this we could have done ourselves so I was okay with paying it. But when you talk about seeding and mulching, I know it's a lot of work but I prefer to buy the equipment and do that myself. We did all that too! And installed a French drain around the house. I feel like gardening, working with grass and mulching are kind of money pits when you talk about hiring a professional because they need to be tended to at least once a year. Better to get in the swing of handling it yourself early on to save more long term. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2519684 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 11:02:10 +0000 JCCovi 2519684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Estimate seems good or maybe low, but I wouldn't take out home equity for this. The nice thing about landscaping is you can do it little by little so I'd save up and do it in chunks. Maybe you can even do some tiny projects yourself to save money and feel accomplished. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2519549 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 09:20:26 +0000 avivoca 2519549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely wouldn't finance that and your estimates may be low. If you plan on this being your forever home, it may be worth it to break it up over the next couple of years. I personally would get the back graded this year and maybe put some seed down, but since you had your trees trimmed last year and are going to take one down, you might want to wait and assess the shade situation later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2519521 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 09:02:26 +0000 Anagram 2519521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the estimate sounds on the low side (probably depends on where you live), but I wouldn't take out a loan for it--just pay cash, or wait a few months till you have the cash.</p> <p>Actually, let me rephrase that--I personally would be tempted to take out the loan to just have it finished. My husband would rather die than do that. So it's more likely that we would pay cash or wait till we could afford to pay cash.</p> <p>FWIW--when I lived in Texas, I had a super tiny postage stamp yard that was mostly shaded and in terrible shape when I moved in. I didn't want to own a mower or mow, so I pulled up all the grass and put down pea gravel and a few paving stones to make more of a zen garden.</p> <p>I had a couple friends help me do the labor and pick up the gravel and mulch in their trucks, so we didn't pay for labor or delivery at all, and it still cost my $2000. Just for supplies. For a teensy, tiny yard.</p> <p>This is a picture I took after my renters killed everything in the yard and let it go to pot, so you can't see it when it was cute---but this tiny tiny space cost me $2000 to do in just materials (gravel, a few plantings that are dead in this picture, mulch, the edging and black tarp stuff).</p> <p>[attach=2976/16/o5bj5n.600x450.house-4.jpg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2519475 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 08:24:33 +0000 petitenoisette 2519475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally get what you're saying about just wanting to get it done so you can enjoy it! We have done tons of DIY stuff on our home since we bought it two years ago and are now also starting to work more on our pitiful lawn and I am also just ready to hire it out. </p> <p>I get why everyone is saying they wouldn't take out a loan to do it but I also fully understand why it's worth paying a bit of interest to do it now. I think we're going to do the same thing, but actually take out a private home improvement loan to do a more expensive project because we don't have enough equity. Then we will refinance because that should get our house value up enough to have 20% equity. The refinancing will help us pay off the loan quicker. Anyway, just my two cents that the loan isn't the craziest idea in the world.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2519458 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 08:13:12 +0000 Happygal 2519458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I need to change careers. :happy: I got a little taste for how expensive yard stuff can be when I worked in a fancy nursery as a teenager. Tree removal is especially pricey. So like everyone else, I agree it seems like a reasonable estimate. I would try to find a middle ground, however, so it wouldn't be a bone of contention between with my husband. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2519393 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 07:07:55 +0000 looch 2519393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: Yep, same for us! And we got the discounted price too. I was stunned. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2519382 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 07:01:45 +0000 Alba4 2519382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That doesn't seem crazy expensive to me, but I live in NY. We hired a mason last summer to redo our front steps and to put in a simple bluestone path and it cost us close to $8000. Home repair/landscaping is expensive.</p> <p>I'd hire someone to trim/remove trees, but the seeding/sod you can attempt to diy to save $$. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2519378 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 06:58:13 +0000 PurplePumps 2519378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like a reasonable estimate, but I wouldn't pay that for landscaping. I'd opt to do a much cheaper DIY version of it somehow and only hire out what I absolutely could not do myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2519357 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 06:40:18 +0000 looch 2519357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBeluga: wow, that yard is an inspiration!</p> <p>We spent $7k last year to redo our front walkway, so that estimate seems on the low side...the biggest cost for us is always labor. We did not finance that project, I wouldn't have, to be honest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2519273 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 22:49:25 +0000 MrsBeluga 2519273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in a low cost area. My aunt spent $25k on 6 large wooden flower beds separated with pea gravel, a concrete patio, water fountain, some plants, and large grassy area. Here is a photo of half of her backyard focusing on the more expensive landscaping parts (3-4 years after it was done, so plants are all now huge).</p> <p>[attach=4965/16/o5aqmd.600x448.image.jpeg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2519059 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 18:53:10 +0000 MrsH 2519059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think 6k is a steal for all that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2518783 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:53:30 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2518783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We spent about $5-6k on landscaping when we moved in to our home four years ago. Some of that money went to planting full grown bushy palm trees for immediate privacy, adding landscape lighting, adding sprinklers in the patio to accomodate planters without us having to water them. About $1,200 was just on the ceramic planters.</p> <p>I don't think the estimate is outrageous. I wouldn't take a loan to do it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2518772 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:48:19 +0000 gingerbebe 2518772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think your estimate sounds fine, but I wouldn't take out a loan for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2518771 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:48:16 +0000 Mrs D 2518771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think landscaping is one of those things people can sometimes easily underestimate the cost of! </p> <p>Dh thinks well just finish tge front ourselves...which is just not feasible...plus would still cost $750ish just for the plants!!!</p> <p>As for the back...I have no idea what he is thinking! We can't do it ourselves - so there is no other option!</p> <p>I understand the aversion to home equity loans...for me I am just personally ok with using it for a yea at an interest expense of a few hundred bucks to get the enjoyment out of the space...I'm also not someone who is anti debt as long as the rates are low... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2518759 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:42:32 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2518759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're redoing our backyard. Its small, but there's a ton of old concrete to remove. Our quotes are all around $20k. Landscaping is expensive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2518737 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:25:26 +0000 Truth Bombs 2518737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think your estimate may even be low. But I wouldn't take out a home equity loan for $6k, and definitely not for landscaping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2518731 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:21:54 +0000 Mrs D 2518731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So the desire for the work in the back yard is to have grass for the girls to play on. I just don't like them playing in the front yard!!</p> <p>I was thinking of having the front finished too just to get it done. The reality is now that we have 2 kids diy will just take so much time and I'm not sure it's worth the savings!</p> <p>I could pay cash but it would reduce our savings to a level I don't like...plus with as low of a rate as I got I just would rather do it now and pay it off quicker...than wait another year or two to save up. Plus...with seed it'll be next year before it's good anyways!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2518729 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:19:10 +0000 yoursilverlining 2518729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think your estimate is likely pretty reasonable (landscaping is always more $$$ than it seems), but I would not take out a home equity line to do it. I'd rather do it in chunks if you don't have $6k in cash to throw at it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2518726 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:17:41 +0000 youboots 2518726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it will bring personal enjoyment- go for it. I have friends who spent much more on that on landscaping- now that I see the results in considering it. Id do it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2518724 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:17:30 +0000 kodybear 2518724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i think the pricing is about right, but i wouldn't take out a home equity loan just to do it. esp since its not "necessary" (meaning you can live with it for a bit). i'd save up the money then do it! or maybe do a little bit at a time </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2518723 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:14:20 +0000 JenGirl 2518723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think it's an unreasonable estimate, but I'd also cringe at spending that much on landscaping. But that's because I just don't care about landscaping that much. But, if you want nice landscaping, it costs money! What's his solution, if he doesn't want to spend the $6k? Or does he want all that work and just doesn't realize how much that costs? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2518722 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:12:04 +0000 Seanettle 2518722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we are working on our curb appeal too. Have gotten a quote for tree pruning(2 trees over 20ft) and removal of a downed tree for $1000. So I can see the cost. I don't know if I would take out against equity for it unless you think it will add that and more value to your home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2518721 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:11:31 +0000 SLR 2518721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also.... At our new house, there was a terribly overgrown area where a garden once was. It's about 15' x 40'. We had that turned up and some shrubs around the house trimmed back. That cost about $1k. Landscaping is pricey!!!</p> <p>Personally, I would invest it it over time but wouldn't take out a home equity line to do so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2518718 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:07:38 +0000 Mrs D 2518718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: We are hopefully staying here indefinitely! I was just trying to convey that I am not making poor decisions borrowing against our house - since we have the equity there.</p> <p>Also - I hear you with the seeding/grading. I should have noted we spent a lot of money last year having the oaks trimmed back, and will be having one taken down shortly here. So we now have a nice semi-shaded yard. The two landscapers who have reviewed the yard feel confident we can get grass...the grade we are fixing is not severe...</p> <p>@coopsmama: Glad to know. I was pleased with the $4k number from the one guy - I was prepared for him to say $5-6K... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2518716 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:06:12 +0000 Raindrop 2518716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a townhouse so I don't have any landscaping knowledge other than this!</p> <p>FWIW - my coworker bought a 600k place 6 years ago (during the low of the market). It was brand new construction so they developers did the front landscaping but they had basically a plot of dirt for their back yard which I have no idea how big it was... but it was pretty big... like the size of their house which probably doesn't mean much to you. If I had to guess the size... I would say 20 feet by 20 feet. But it cost them 15k to landscape it from nothing. I had no idea landscaping cost so much! So I think you are probably not crazy. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/landscaping-budget-question#post-2518715 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:05:47 +0000 SLR 2518715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That doesn't seem high at all. At our old house, we had a small patch (10x10 roughly) that didn't seem to grow grass no matter what we did. We ended up getting a couple landscape stones and having them make a planting area. We also replaced some shrubs (maybe 6) along the front with some boxwoods and a small tree/large shrub (not sure what it is technically considered). I don't recall the exact price but I want to say it was around $2200 for just that little bit. </p>