Don't make landscaping an afterthought. Start with the proper siting of the house. Landscaping adds value to homes in the same way as good architectural design or a master-bath suite. Landscaping costs will vary depending on the architecture, site characteristics, and market-segment. One Massachusetts builder, The Green Company, spends anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000 per home (1 to 2 percent) for the installed landscaping, not including design fees. The company's vice-president of marketing, Tony Green, attributes the company's success, in part, to the marketing advantage gained from good landscape design. Start with Siting The most immediate payback from landscaping comes from siting the home correctly on the lot. Important elements include: maximizing the views, working with existing grades and contours,
