Better Homes & Gardens
There are some definite advantages to improving the landscaping around your home. You not only create a nicer place to live, but you may also end up with more money when you sell your home. This is true with outdoor projects as well as home improvements. The question is, which outdoor projects offer the most benefit in terms of satisfaction and return on investment?
The latest report by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) sheds some light on the topic. It focused on why homeowners complete outdoor remodeling projects, their level of satisfaction, and the potential value those projects could bring when selling a home. All totaled, the report pinpointed 11 outdoor landscape projects scoring high in satisfaction and value.
Brandi Snowden, NAR’s director of member and consumer survey research, noted the survey also looks at consumer satisfaction after completing a project. “Ranked on a scale of one to 10, the report found that consumers rated all 11 outdoor projects highly, with Joy Scores at 9 or above,” Snowden says.
For purposes of the report, standard lawn care service was defined as six standard seasonal applications of fertilizer and/or weed control on a 5,000 sq. ft. lawn. The estimated cost was $415 with ROI estimate of $900, or 217% return. “This project adds beauty and aesthetics and has a Joy Score of 9.4 (on a scale of 10),” Snowden says. In addition, 58% of homeowners said they had a greater desire to be home after it was completed.