What should I budget for landscaping on my new build home?
By Scott Moore, RealtorLandscaping is one of the most tricky items to budget for—on the one hand, the sky is the limit as you can be as creative as you want— but on the other hand, if you do it all yourself, it can be pretty budget-friendly. With such a broad range of ways to get it done, it can be difficult to know what to budget. I’m here to help.
Generally, you should budget about 1-2% of the home’s total price (land + build) for landscaping. So on a $600k build, you would budget $6000-$12,000; on a million dollar build, you would budget $10,000-$20,000. However, keep in mind the following considerations:
The higher the price point, the more you should lean to the higher end of the estimate, or more. In a luxury home, you won’t be happy with the home if there’s no wow factor outside.
Don’t spend less than 1%. Or if you do, you should have a phased plan that you can build on when you have more cash. Your home’s curb appeal and your enjoyment of your property are both really important and a big part of that is the landscaping.
This estimate is based on typical new developments. If you’re building outside of a new development, double your estimate for each acre of property. You can easily spend at least $50,000 landscaping a 5 acre lot, and that would really be the bare minimum. Best to get a couple of actual quotes for unique properties like this.
Does this estimate include deck, fencing?
The budget for decks and fences are in addition to the landscaping budget. If you’re having to make difficult budgeting choices, then my advice is to build the largest deck you can right off the bat, and finish the landscaping the following year. Adding on to a deck later is tough, and you can still enjoy a deck before the landscaping is complete (although probably not quite as much). There’s nothing wrong with doing it in phases.
Are there deadlines for when I have to complete my landscaping in Winnipeg?
There are rules about how much time you have to complete your landscaping—so definitely check the guidelines for your particular development (we have some of them linked further below). Generally, you will have one year from either home occupancy or final grading to complete the front landscaping, but no deadline for the back yard. But check your specific guidelines to be sure in your area.
How can I save money on landscaping?
Saving money on landscaping can either come from who does the work—you can save a lot of money if you do some or all of the work yourself. Learning how to lay sod or plant a tree is easy thanks to youtube and jobs like placing landscaping rock is just sheer grunt work and can be done by anyone with a shovel, wheelbarrow, and will to put in some sweat equity. However, there still may be some jobs that you’ll want help with—designing the landscaping plan is an important one and if your plan includes large rocks or boulders or creating berms, you’ll need heavy equipment and someone to operate it.
Working with a budget can also mean doing the landscaping in phases, which is really common. You can do your front yard the first year, and the back yard the following year, or you can do grass the first year and then add in trees, and plants the following year. However, remember that every year you delay planting is a missed year of growth, so another strategy is to plant all the trees and shrubs the first year, and then finish up the grass on year two.
I’m only building this house for me, why would I care what’s expected?
Finishing your landscaping is an important part of keeping up your property value as well as being a good neighbour. When weeds grow wild in an unfinished backyard, their seeds blow into neighbouring yards, which creates tension between neighbours. Also most people don’t like to look out their window at unfinished yards, so it’s a low-level irritant to neighbours as well. Most people in new neighbourhoods understand that it can take a year or two to get everything completed, but once you’re pushing into year 3 or 4 without landscaping, neighbours do start to get annoyed. Lastly, its also an important part of resale on your home. Lots of unplanned moves come up for people for all kinds of different reasons and having the landscaping done will improve your resale value.
Am I responsible for maintaining my boulevard in Winnipeg?
You are! Section 86 of the City of Winnipeg’s Livability By-Law (chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://clkapps.winnipeg.ca/dmis/documents/docext/bl/2008/2008.1.pdf) says that it is up to you to maintain the area of the boulevard that is adjacent to your property, which includes keeping grass and plants trimmed (although not trees) and keeping it free of garbage.
What are the landscaping guidelines for Prairie Pointe?
You can find them here, but essentially sod is preferred and must be laid over 4 inches of topsoil. Decorative stone is not preferred but is allowed provided the size is between ¾” and 1 ½” and landscaping fabric is recommended under the stone to act as a weed barrier. Paving stones are not preferred but also allowed, however they must be installed by a professional. Shrubs are not allowed on the city-owned boulevard or within the first 5.25 meters from the curb on your front yard (also city-owned property). In Prairie Pointe, you have one year from date of possession to complete the front yard landscaping.
Prairie Pointe Landscaping Requirements
What are the landscaping guidelines for Highland Pointe?
Highland Pointe is also developed by Ladco; the landscaping guidelines are the same for both Prairie Pointe and Highland Pointe. Sod is preferred and must be laid over 4 inches of topsoil. Decorative stone is not preferred but is allowed provided the size is between ¾” and 1 ½” and landscaping fabric is recommended under the stone to act as a weed barrier. Paving stones are not preferred but also allowed, however they must be installed by a professional. Shrubs are not allowed on the city-owned boulevard or within the first 5.25 meters from the curb on your front yard (also city-owned property). Find the actual guideline here.
Highland Pointe Landscaping Requirements
In Highland Pointe, you have one year from date of possession to complete the front yard landscaping.
What are the landscaping guidelines in River Springs Grove?
In River Springs Grove, front yards, exposed side yards and back yards that back onto active transportation paths must be sodded within 2 years of the beginning of construction. Front yards are to be mostly sod, with a minimum of 15% planted beds (shrubs, perennials or ground covers). Landscaping stone is permitted between driveways. Back yards are to be mostly sod and a minimum of 10% planted beds. The RM of West St Paul requires homeowners to maintain all landscaped areas adjacent to their lot.
River Springs Grove Development Guidelines
What are the landscaping guidelines in Forest Grove Estates?
In Forest Grove Estates, front yards, exposed side yards and back yards that back onto the retention ponds must be sodded within 2 years of the beginning of construction. Front yards are to be mostly sod, and must be enhanced with trees shrubs and beds, including a minimum of 15% planted beds (shrubs, perennials or ground covers). Landscaping stone is permitted between driveways. Back yards are to be mostly sod and a minimum of 10% planted beds. Homeowners must also maintain landscaped areas adjacent to their lot.
Forest Grove Estates Development Guidelines
What are the landscaping guidelines in Bridgwater?
In Bridgwater, you have one year from date of occupancy to complete your front yard landscaping. At least 50% of the front yard must have sod, at least 15% of the front yard must have planted beds (shrubs, perennials, ground covers). Rock beds are permitted but do not count towards the 15% of planted beds, and the first 1.5 meters from the cub must be grass only. Planting trees is strongly encouraged. Side and rear yards must be majority sod, with a minimum of 10% planted beds.
Bridgwater Lakes Development Guidelines
Bridgwater Trails Development Guidelines
**Please double check directly with your builder or the developer before making your landscaping plan to be sure these guidelines are still current.