You probably know that an outdoor living space can add tremendous value and curb appeal to your Chicagoland home. But you may not know how much this space might cost you to create.
Budgeting for a landscaping project can be challenging, especially if you’re not familiar with all of the costs involved. In fact, some costs can be a surprise or maybe there was something included in your landscape budget that you didn’t expect. That might leave you feeling unprepared.
We’d like to help you better understand what you’re getting into. Let’s dive into landscaping costs to help you budget appropriately so you can plan your dream landscape.
Landscaping Budget Tips & Tricks
When you want to makeover your Greater Chicago area backyard, you want to jump right in. Budgeting to include all of the necessary costs can help ensure you’re prepared for everything you need and really want to include in your space.
That’s why we’re assisting you in creating your landscaping budget. Here are some of the costs you should consider when planning for your residential installation.
1. Prioritize Your Needs
To create a solid landscaping budget, first determine how you like to spend your time in your landscape.
Do you plan to eat outside? Do you plan to cook outside? Will you be spending time outdoors rain or shine? Will you be enjoying your backyard after the sun sets or during colder evenings? All of these answers can determine what types of areas you might want to prioritize in your budget.
2. Research Your Landscaping Costs
Once you determine your needs, budgeting for landscaping involves knowing your costs. There can be a wide range of cost differences, depending on the materials you choose.
A landscape patio in Chicago, for instance, can range from $16 to $20 per square foot for modular concrete and $35 to $45 per square foot for natural stone. A patio is a great place to unwind outside. Have a meal, sip coffee, read a book, or just relax. A patio can be a space you use for all of these activities and more.
If you also want to cook outdoors, adding an outdoor kitchen can range anywhere from $35,000 to $150,000. This wide range can be narrowed down once you prioritize the key components you want to include, e.g. type of grill, L-shaped or U-shaped bar area with granite countertops, and any extras like pizza ovens, refrigerators, ice makers, etc.
If you want protection from the elements outdoors, adding a pavilion can range from $25,000 to $65,000, depending on factors such as structure and roofing materials, size, lighting, and adding a fan or power.
Lighting up your nights with landscape lighting can add $335 per fixture to $500 per fixture, which includes the transformer and wiring or timing devices needed.
And if you want to warm up your space, adding a fire pit can range from $3,500 to $7,500, with the higher end being more gas-powered vs. wood-burning. An outdoor fireplace, on the other hand, will range from between $15,000 to $50,000-plus, depending on how detailed the stone work is, the size and type of fuel used, as well as any other extras like wood storage, TV mounting, or see-through options so the fire can be visible from multiple areas.
3. Don’t Forget About Permits
In different Greater Chicago municipalities, you’ll find various areas of landscape projects require permits. Some of those permits may add to your landscaping costs.
We’re very familiar with the permit requirements in local areas, so we can help familiarize you with the needs in your areas and take care of this and keep you informed so you don’t have to stress about it. Working with a landscape professional who communicates with you about permits can reduce the anxiety around surprise budget issues like this that can crop up.
Let Us Help You Take the Guesswork Out of Budgeting For a Landscaping Project
Hopefully these tips can help give you a better idea of what research is necessary to more accurately determine your landscaping budget.
You want to dream about that outdoor kitchen with a gourmet grill or that bluestone patio with a pergola and line of evergreens for privacy. You don’t have time to worry about the costs you’re not including. Understanding the full extent of residential landscape design and installation costs can be challenging. Working with a company that can help walk you through it, giving you time to share your priorities and listening to your vision, as well as helping put all the pieces together, is what can make this process easier. It can also more clearly lay out all of the costs.
If you want to get a better picture of what your dream landscape will cost, give KD Landscape a call. We can talk to you about your needs and wants and show you design and material options so you can gain a clearer picture of what your landscaping budget should be.
Ready to see how KD Landscape can transform your Chicagoland area landscape? We’d love to share our design and installation expertise with you and deliver a space that best fits your needs. Get started today with a free consultation. Together, we can create a solution that you’ll love.
