Professional Landscaping: Worth It or Not?

I’m considering doing something similar.  do you have a reference for the person/company that gave you the quote?

nintzk

in Landscaping 13 years and 2 months ago

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flipnbrooklyn | 13 years and 2 months ago

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http://cdn.brownstoner.com/4f651d48951ee-.jpg

Hi Fellow Brownstoners, My wife and I have been contemplating on whether should have our private patio fixed & designed by a professional landscaper.  We recently purchased a condo in Williamsburg and it came with private patio (that was the selling point for us).  The patio is approximately 680 sq ft.  We’ve had multiple landscape architects come in and we have decided one who we’d like to work with.  The plan is to build a 35 ft cedar fence on the right side(to divide our neighbor’s property and ours), update the existing cedar fence on the left & back side, build a 300 sq ft ipe deck, build two custom wood built-in benches with planters, and add planter boxes & greenery.  The total quote for materials and labor is $14,500.  Our questions: As it is a condo and not a house, will it have the same affect of adding value to the property price? If we rent out our condo, would it add to the rental value? And lastly, would you have it done if you were in our place? We appreciate any of your suggestions / advice. Thanks!

Putnamdenizen | 13 years and 2 months ago

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It sounds lovely.  I would do it.

nf85 | 13 years and 2 months ago

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I can’t speak to the dollar amounts’ reasonableness or likely return, but personally I’d consider a beautifully landscaped outdoor area a huge plus. And IMO there’s nothing sadder than neglected outdoor space. So while it’s easy for me to say as it isn’t my money, my vote is for doing it.

concernedcitizen | 13 years and 2 months ago

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I would think that as for ROI, 14k or at least a good percentage would be recoverable. The National Association of Realtors Field Guide to Remodeling states that there is a 71% ROI on a deck addition to a house. IMO it shouldn’t be much different for a condo. Your project sounds like it will be more elaborate that a simple a deck addition. It will have a relatively large visual impact per $ vs, say, a bathroom remodel.  You would be more inclined to use it. Thus effectively increasing your, good weather, living space. I would do it.

expedite | 13 years and 2 months ago

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Going green is always a good Idea whenever you can. The initial cost is one thing, Just consider the life cycle cost of maintaining the new lanscaped area. Most people use pavers & concrete to eliminate maintenance cost over the years….