Landscaping usually returns its cost at resale, and some of the simplest work returns more than it costs. In the 2023 NAR/NALP Remodeling Impact Report, standard lawn care recovered 217% of its cost, landscape maintenance 104%, and an overall landscape upgrade 100%. Results depend on your neighborhood, your starting point and the quality of the work. This guide shows where the numbers come from and how to spend so the money works hardest.
TL;DR
- Maintenance-type work (lawn care, mulch, pruning, cleanup) recovered the most per dollar in the NAR/NALP data: 217% for lawn care and 104% for landscape maintenance.
- A full landscape upgrade recovered about 100% of its cost, and university research links well-designed yards to higher perceived value.
- Design quality matters more than plant count: in Virginia Tech’s study, design sophistication drove 42% of the added perceived value.
- Your neighborhood sets the bar. A tidy yard stands out most where neighboring yards are neglected.
- Start with the lawn, beds and entry, then add larger projects such as a patio.
Table of Contents
- What the research says landscaping returns
- Which projects return the most
- Why design and quality change the result
- ROI for property managers and business owners
- How to plan your spending
- Get an estimate for your property
- FAQ
- Sources
What the research says landscaping returns
The most useful figures come from the 2023 NAR/NALP Remodeling Impact Report on outdoor features. It measured 11 outdoor projects. Standard lawn care (six seasonal applications on 5,000 square feet) cost $415 and recovered $900, a 217% cost recovery and the highest of the group. Landscape maintenance, which covers mulch, mowing, shrub pruning and about 60 perennials or annuals, cost $4,800 and recovered 104%. An overall landscape upgrade, with a flagstone walk, two planters, five shrubs and one tree, cost $9,000 and recovered 100%.
University research points the same way. A Virginia Tech Extension publication found that homes with excellent landscaping were perceived to be worth 10% to 12% more than comparable homes with average landscaping. Across the states it studied, the change from no landscape to well-landscaped ranged from 5.5% to 11.4%. On a $150,000 home, that means roughly $8,250 to $19,050 more with a sophisticated landscape.
The University of Florida’s extension program, citing an industry association, says landscaping can raise resale value by up to 14% and speed a sale by as much as six weeks.
Which projects return the most
The pattern in the data is consistent. Regular, visible upkeep returns the most per dollar. Larger builds return close to what they cost, and they add enjoyment while you own the home.
| Project (NAR/NALP 2023) | Typical cost | Cost recovered at resale |
|---|---|---|
| Standard lawn care | $415 | 217% |
| Landscape maintenance | $4,800 | 104% |
| Overall landscape upgrade | $9,000 | 100% |
Source for all three rows: the NAR/NALP outdoor features report.
What agents tell sellers lines up with this. The same report found that 92% of REALTORS have suggested sellers improve curb appeal before listing, and 97% of NAR members consider it important in attracting a buyer. A summary of the findings reports that 74% of agents recommend landscape maintenance before selling, 53% recommend standard lawn care and 44% recommend tree care. Landscape professionals also reported the strongest rising demand for an overall landscape upgrade (61%), landscape maintenance (58%) and a new patio (55%).
If you are preparing a sale, pair the yard with the rest of the house. A room-by-room seller checklist helps you sequence exterior and interior fixes before buyers walk through.
Why design and quality change the result
Two yards that cost the same can return very different amounts. Virginia Tech found that design sophistication accounted for 42% of the added perceived value, plant size for 36% and plant type diversity for 22%. In other words, a plan matters more than a pile of plants.
An older University of Florida study shows the range. Its best result was a 76% estimated profit, an $8,400 increase in selling price after a $4,700 project. Its weakest case recaptured 21% of the landscaping’s value. The strongest result came from a small lot where large plants and plenty of color created a strong impression from the street. The researcher’s advice was to add color across the yard for a quick sale, and to emphasize trees and shrubs that grow larger for a long-term payoff.
The NAR/NALP report names what shapes cost recovery: project design, material quality, location, the home’s age and condition, and homeowner preferences. Your neighborhood matters too. Where every home has manicured grounds, solid upkeep is the baseline. Where many yards are neglected, a well-kept exterior stands out more.
A few practical takeaways follow from this:
- Fix the basics first: lawn, edging, fresh mulch and clean beds.
- Spend design effort on what is visible from the street and at the entry.
- Choose plants that fit the space at maturity, so the yard looks better each year.
- Keep the style in step with the house. A landscape should complement the home rather than compete with it.
Our guides on curb appeal moves with the highest return and front yard landscaping on budgets from $300 to $5,000 go deeper on sequencing.
ROI for property managers and business owners
For a commercial or multifamily property, return shows up as curb appeal, resident and tenant satisfaction, and lower maintenance costs over time, not only as a sale price. A consistent maintenance schedule keeps entrances, beds and turf in the condition tenants and visitors notice first. If you manage a community, see our guides to commercial landscape design that lowers costs, apartment complex landscaping first moves and commercial landscape maintenance pricing.
How to plan your spending
Before you commit, work through these steps:
- Walk the property from the street. Note what a buyer, tenant or visitor sees first.
- Set a budget by tier. Start with upkeep, then beds and plantings, then larger builds.
- Put the scope in writing. List what is included, how often it happens and what costs extra. Our guide to what lawn service includes and what costs extra shows what to look for.
- Plan for the long term. If you will stay several years, plantings and a patio give you enjoyment now and value later. Our paver patio ideas explain how style, pattern, slope and base work together.
- Keep it up. A refreshed landscape holds its value only if beds, turf and trees stay maintained. These signs your landscape beds need a refresh tell you when it is time.
Our perspective on landscaping ROI
After years of working on McHenry County properties, we see the same thing: the best returns come from steady, visible care, not one big spend. A lawn that is mowed and edged on schedule, beds with fresh mulch and a clean spring and fall cleanup change how a property reads from the curb.
We design the work around the property. That means a written scope, clean job sites and a maintenance plan that keeps the result looking right through every season. Whether you are preparing to sell, managing an HOA or simply want a yard you enjoy, we recommend starting with the basics and building from there.
Chas
Get an estimate for your property
Ivan’s Landscaping has served residential and commercial clients in McHenry County, IL since 2008. We handle lawn mowing, mulch service, spring and fall cleanup, pavers and patios and design and install work, and we offer customized annual maintenance plans. Tell us what you want from the property and we will respond quickly with a free estimate at ivanslandscaping.com.
FAQ
Does landscaping increase home value?
Yes. Virginia Tech’s research found homes with excellent landscaping were perceived to be worth 10% to 12% more than comparable homes with average landscaping. The gain depends on design quality, upkeep and what neighboring homes look like.
Which landscaping gives the best return at resale?
In the NAR/NALP data, standard lawn care had the highest cost recovery at 217%, followed by landscape maintenance at 104% and an overall landscape upgrade at 100%. Agents most often recommend landscape maintenance, lawn care and tree care before a sale.
Is a patio a good investment?
Landscape professionals reported that a new patio was among the projects with rising demand, at 55%. A patio is also a project you enjoy while you live there, so it works best for owners who plan to stay a few years. A well-chosen design and a solid base help it hold up.
Should I landscape before selling?
Most agents say yes to improving curb appeal: 92% of REALTORS have suggested it to sellers. Start with lawn care, mulch, clean beds and tree care, which cost less than major builds and are what buyers see first.
Sources
- 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features (NAR/NALP)
- The Effect of Landscape Plants on Perceived Home Value (Virginia Tech Extension)
- Landscaping’s Effect On Home Values Varies (University of Florida, 1998)
- Outdoor Projects That Make A Big Difference (Chattanoogan)
