Even if you take great pride in the interior of your home, if your backyard is looking worse for wear, it can affect the look and feel of your entire property. Though you may mow the lawn a few times a week and plant a fresh bunch of flowers every now and again, your exterior often requires a bit more TLC in order to look its best. But, there’s no denying that these improvements can cost a lot of time and money, making it even harder for homeowners to achieve their ideal exterior. As such, this article will explore everything you need to know about finding success in your inspired landscaping process.
8 Ways to Improve the State of Your Exterior
1. Tree Trimming
Trees are a pivotal part of any spacious backyard as they help to offer us an essential sense of shade, especially during the warmer seasons when we are forced to seek shelter from the blazing sun. But, trees can also act as a source of decoration, helping to line our lawn areas and give our exteriors a unique sense of depth. Yet, unlike other aspects of our gardens, these trees can be quite difficult to maintain. This is especially true for those who have to deal with a variety of overgrown trees, as these lengthy branches could end up disturbing your next-door neighbors. Thus, if you’re eager to get a handle on these unruly structures, you should reach out to a local tree company. During this process, a series of local tree contractors will begin by surveying your entire backyard, keeping an eye out for any anomalies or dangers. Then, these workers will start trimming certain trees, giving your garden a much more uniform and minimalist appearance. According to Lawn Love, tree trimming services normally start at $255 and can reach highs of $655. But, the source also explains that the national average usually sits around $420, which is a lot more affordable. Thus, this is an excellent resource for those looking to implement an inspired landscape process into their exterior and also want it to look a little bit neater and stylized.
2. Tree Removal
Though many people would love nothing more than to spend their days gazing at a set of immense trees in their backyard, they can sometimes be more of a curse than a blessing. If these trees are shielding your view or just causing you a lot of bother, you may benefit from having them removed. Although many homeowners believe that they could just use a chainsaw to complete this job for themselves, it’s good practice to get in touch with a selection of local tree removal companies to give you a helping hand. These contractors will help to cut down your bothersome trees and work to clean up the mess. Therefore, you can continue to enjoy the wonders of your backyard without having to worry about being surrounded by mass amounts of debris. US Real Estate News highlights that it normally costs $200 to $2,000 per tree, depending on its size and robustness. If you have a very large patch of land that is in dire need of some tree removal services, this cost could soar up to $500 to $6,000 per woodland, depending on the density of the area. Therefore, although this may seem like a very expensive venture, it can be a key part of your inspired landscaping process as it can offer you more space and help you get rid of some redundant assets.
3. Stump Grinding
If you’ve had a lot of trees removed from your backyard, you’ll probably be left with a number of tree stumps. You may even be tempted to dig them up or remove them yourself, but this can actually do more harm than good. Tree stumps are particularly important for insects and other forms of native wildlife as they help to provide nutrients back to the soil, ensuring that these creatures can continue to thrive in just about any natural setting. In turn, for those looking to protect the tiny critters that reside in their backyard, be sure to reach out to a stump grinding contractor as soon as possible. Usually, these contractors will be equipped with a number of specialist tools and machinery to ensure that they can eradicate the tree stumps with minimal mess. This service doesn’t affect the roots of the tree, giving it the chance to re-spawn over the course of a few decades. Some trees are a lot more stubborn than others, so the cost of this type of service can vary tremendously. However, Angi explains that homeowners could expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $500, with the national average costing $320. As a result, this is a fantastic service to add to your overall inspired landscaping plan as it allows you to clean up your backyard without affecting the local wildlife population.
4. Tree Pruning
Pruning is one of the easiest forms of garden maintenance, but surprisingly, many homeowners seem to overlook this simple task. This inspired landscaping process involves removing decaying branches from various trees and bushes. As such, this not only makes the trees look more presentable but also works to foster a better sense of growth. In turn, by pruning your trees and bushes every so often, you can actually extend their longevity for many years to come. This can also be viewed as an essential task for those who live in close proximity to their neighbors. Even though a few stray branches may not seem like a big deal, they can be a keen source of danger and if they’re entering your neighbor’s backyard, they could also be seen as a nuisance. As a result, it’s good practice to remove these unwanted branches so that you can continue to keep the peace with those who live closest to you. Though this job could be completed in just a few minutes, if your garden is particularly out of control, or if you suffer from limited mobility, you may be better off hiring an expert tree service. Home Guide explains that an arborist usually charges $50 to $125, making this a useful operation for homeowners who are eager to get their backyards back in shape. In turn, by working on maintaining your trees early on, you can rest assured that they will continue to thrive and prosper later down the line.
5. Landscape Designing
Landscaping is an extremely vital process as it can help to transform your garden from drab to fab. Usually, this process refers to the addition of various plants, pathways, and structures to help improve the appearance of a garden. As such, this is a fantastic service for those who want to give their garden a new lease on life. A local landscape designer can help turn your dream garden into a reality, guiding you through every step of the planning and construction process. These contractors can also add a series of lighting fixtures to your garden, helping to improve your al fresco dining experiences and family barbecues. Over time, these designers can help to turn your previously plain garden into a bustling hub of excitement and beauty. Plus, these contractors can add a few more natural elements to your backyard, helping you detach from the concrete jungle that surrounds you. Not only will these natural touches help to accentuate your exterior, but they can also help to attract an assortment of birds and insects, giving you the chance to learn more about the diverse ecosystems that surround you. Ross NW Watergardens states that landscape designers normally cost anywhere from $500 to over $5,000. The source also mentions that some companies offer an initial consultation fee, which is usually $100-$200. As such, even if you’re striving to complete every aspect of your inspired landscape process, you should make sure to factor in these additional costs when forming your budget.
6. Paving
When creating your ultimate inspired landscaping checklist, you may not think that your driveway should be included. Yet, this asset is usually the first thing that guests see when they arrive at your home, so you should do everything in your power to improve its condition. Not to mention, a cracked and decaying driveway can also put your vehicle at risk of damage, which could result in a series of additional maintenance costs. So, if you’re looking to give your humble driveway a complete makeover, consider reaching out to a series of local paving companies. These driveway contractors can help resolve any glaring flaws, giving your exterior a smoother and more refined finish. Plus, if you’re looking to reap the benefits of a more elevated driveway, try asking your respective contractor about asphalt paving. This material is a lot more weatherproof than traditional concrete, making it a great resource for those who live in areas that tend to experience harsh weather conditions. Home Serve notes that installing a new asphalt driveway can cost around $3-$5 per square foot, making this a relatively affordable way to upgrade the exterior of your property.
7. Hardscaping
In contrast to conventional landscaping, hardscaping works to add a plethora of man-made materials to help your garden seem more practical and urbanized. This is a particularly important service for those who want to make the most out of their backyards and don’t want to waste their time manicuring endless stretches of grass. By working alongside an expert hardscaping contractor, you have the chance to truly revolutionize your backyard, adding a wealth of affluent features such as water fountains, fire pits, and pergolas. Thus, all of these custom-made assets can give your backyard a grandiose sense of character, but can also add value to your property. As such, this is especially beneficial for those looking to find success in the property market over the next few months. Hire Rush goes on to explain that the average hardscaping service can cost anywhere between $1,400 to $5,200. Although this may seem like a very expensive service to add to your inspired landscaping process, it’s a fantastic way to put your own spin on your backyard and help it to better suit your needs and preferences.
8. Pool Installation
A swimming pool is probably listed quite high on your inspired landscaping checklist, but it’s imperative that you select the best option for your space and budget. Depending on the type of pool you desire, the overall swimming pool installation process can be quite difficult. For example, if you decide to add an in-ground pool to your backyard, the contractors would be expected to excavate a large patch of land so that the pool could easily slide into this space. In turn, you may have to endure living on a building site for a few weeks in order to get your dream pool. On the flip side, an above-ground pool is usually a little easier to maintain, since it typically sits on top of a pool deck. As such, the whole family can take a dip whenever they please without having to worry about transferring grass or mud into the water. In addition, these pool decks are also a great way to keep your feet safe and dry as you travel in and out of the pool. Today’s Homeowner explains that a standard in-ground pool can cost anywhere between $40,000-$70,000 to install. So, if you’re striving to create the best backyard ever, a swimming pool is an ideal addition.
Striving to improve your backyard can be hard work, especially if you’re unsure where to start. Some homeowners have too many ideas in their heads and struggle to communicate these to the right contractors and companies. But, once you start working with an adequate team, you can easily achieve the exterior you’ve always dreamed of. Plus, a lot of these assets can add exponential levels of value to your home, which is useful for those looking to sell their home in the near future. As such, if you’re eager to build an inspired landscaping checklist for yourself, be sure to adhere to the advice offered in this article.