Let’s face it, landscaping isn’t a cheap home project. Whether you hire a crew to make your yard look amazing or take it on as yet another DIY project, landscaping from mulch and stone to plants and fencing can seriously add up. On top of that, its something that has to be done every year so unlike working on a room in your home that will last for years to come, yard work is a constant chore. After all the yard projects we’ve planned for the summer, I thought I’d share my best tips on how to save money on your home’s landscaping.
Like any home project, there are some things best left to professionals but when it comes to basic home landscaping, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Hiring a landscaping service can be extremely costly and yard work isn’t really that difficult once you get the hang of it.
I have always hated doing yard work. I used to say that I’d rather clean every toilet in the house than pull weeds and spread mulch. This year I’ve realized though that a little sweat equity in the back yard can also be a sort of catharsis; a way to work out some aggression and relieve stress. It’s also a great way to add in a little extra exercise. For me that is a huge plus.
Skip the Home Improvement Store
Whether mulching flower beds, adding stone to a patio area or building a fire-pit, home improvement stores have all the supplies you need but you will also be considerably more. Instead of heading to your local Lowe’s or Home Depot, seek out a local greenhouse or landscaping business that sells these items in bulk.
As an example, the smaller stone that we used in the stream of our pond at Lowe’s was about $5 a bag. These bags are small, about the same size as a large bag of dog food. For $30, we went to a landscaping business and bought a ton (one backhoe scoop) that gave us all that we needed in one shot. I cannot imagine how many bags of stone we would have had to buy at Lowe’s to get the same amount of stone and it would have cost as much or more than our entire pond project combined.
Yes, you would need a 1 ton truck or trailer to haul it but going that extra step by sharing with a neighbor, family member or friend could save you a lot of cash.
These two super simple steps will save you a lot of money on your landscaping. It may take a little more planning and effort but in the end, you’ll have the beautiful yard you dreamed of for a lot less money and it may just save you a couple trips to the gym as well.
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