Transform Your Outdoor Space: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Between Landscape Renovation and New Installation for Your 2024 Property Upgrade

As property owners across the country look to enhance their outdoor spaces in 2024, one critical decision stands at the forefront: should you renovate your existing landscape or start fresh with a new installation? This choice can significantly impact your budget, timeline, and the overall transformation of your property. Making the right choice helps you stay within budget, meet your timeline, and create a yard that works for your lifestyle.

Understanding the Fundamental Differences

Landscape renovations, sometimes called landscape enhancements, work with what you have existing on your property. Landscape enhancement projects can be things like cleaning up overgrown landscapes, installing rock in an area, adding a small brick paver landing, or even planting a few plants in a landscape bed that looks bare. In contrast, landscape installation is the process of creating a brand-new outdoor space from the ground up. From hardscape to irrigation systems and plantings, installation lays the foundation for a completely new environment.

Landscape redos, or design-build projects, involve removing all or most of your existing landscape. Landscape designers or architects would then create a plan detailing the new installments and a team would come to demolish and install your new landscape.

When to Choose Landscape Renovation

Renovation is often the smart choice when your landscape’s foundation is solid but needs refreshing. If you do not have the time, tools, or expertise to renovate your landscape, hiring a professional to rehabilitate what exists is always cheaper than removal and reinstallation. Renovating an existing lawn can be more cost-effective than installing a new lawn since you don’t need to purchase new soil or grass seed.

Renovation is a great option for homeowners who like the general layout of their yard but want to modernize the look or make it easier to maintain. Additionally, you can see improvements in just a few weeks with a renovated lawn. This approach also offers environmental benefits: renovating an existing lawn can be more environmentally friendly than starting from scratch since you’re not removing any existing plant life unnecessarily.

When New Installation Makes Sense

Complete landscape installation becomes necessary when you’re aiming to drastically change your space or need to fix major issues like poor grading or drainage. If you’re looking to reimagine your yard with expert lawn and garden design services in NC, this is the right path when: You’ve moved into a new construction home with no existing yard. Your current space has poor drainage, bare patches, or hard-to-use areas. You want to add significant features like patios, retaining walls, or outdoor kitchens.

If the existing landscape is not your style or does not complement the home well, removal may be the only option to align your landscape to your vision. While new installation requires a larger initial investment, installing a new lawn provides a fresh start and complete control over the outcome, but it can be more expensive and time-consuming.

2024 Trends Influencing Your Decision

The landscape industry is experiencing significant shifts in 2024 that may influence your renovation versus installation decision. Another trend some regions are seeing is a focus on renovating existing outdoor living spaces. In Struhl’s case, he says communities in the area are aging and he’s having to redo landscapes that were poorly installed 20 to 25 years ago.

Hallauer adds that when the economy turns, more people stay put and decide to reinvest in their properties. “I do anticipate this going back to more of a renovation market, updating their current spaces, making it more livable to their current lifestyle and needs,” Hallauer says.

Sustainability remains a driving force in 2024 landscape decisions. “Though not a new trend, 2024 will see the expansion of pollinator gardens, stormwater captures, native planting, zero-scaping, and permeable pavers in the outdoor living world, all ultimately making for a more eco-friendly outdoor space that requires fewer resources and is more natural to maintain,” Raboine says.

Cost Considerations and Timeline Expectations

Obviously, landscape design-build projects are significantly higher in cost and time. Design-build projects just simply take longer. Along with the physical labor taking longer because of demolition, removal, disposal, site prep, and then installation, the design phase takes time as well.

For budget-conscious property owners, many clients choose to do their landscape in phases in order to manage cost. If you decide you would like to completely remove and remodel a portion of your landscape along with doing a landscape enhancement, that doesn’t mean all the projects have to be done at the same time.

According to recent data, with the average landscaping project coming in at $8,150, it’s up to property owners to decide if the benefits outweigh the costs. However, the investment can be worthwhile: a Virginia Tech Landscaping Study found that taking a home from no landscaping to well-planned and executed landscaping can increase the home’s value between 5.5% – 12.7%. The study concluded that a home worth $150,000 with just a lawn could increase its value by $8,250 to $19,050 with a sophisticated landscaping job.

Working with Professional Landscapers

Whether you choose renovation or new installation, working with experienced professionals is crucial. Selecting someone that will listen to what you want, including your budget, is really most important. Some contractors may directly tell you that a project of your size is not within their scope of work, which may seem disappointing at first, but is truly best as you want the company you select to be a great fit for the type of work you need to be completed.

For property owners in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Union Landscaping & Hardscape represents the type of family-owned company that understands these decisions. We’re committed to building lasting relationships with our clients. We’re passionate about using sustainable practices to protect our environment. Our designs are inspired by the natural beauty of Monroe, incorporating native plants and materials. As a family-owned company, we are dedicated to transforming your vision into a beautiful and functional outdoor oasis. Using the finest local North Carolina materials, we build durable, custom spaces that your family will enjoy for years to come.

Their comprehensive landscaping services demonstrate how professional companies can guide you through both renovation and installation decisions, ensuring your 2024 property upgrade aligns with your vision, budget, and timeline.

Making Your Final Decision

Deciding between installation and renovation starts with assessing your yard’s condition and your long-term goals. On the other hand, if your layout mostly works but could use modernization or plant replacement, renovation could be the right fit. In conclusion, deciding to install a new lawn or renovate an existing one depends on several factors, including your budget, timeline, and personal preferences. Carefully consider your needs and consult a professional if necessary to make the best choice for your lawn.

As you plan your 2024 property upgrade, remember that both renovation and new installation can deliver stunning results when executed properly. The key lies in honest assessment of your current landscape, clear definition of your goals, and partnership with experienced professionals who can bring your vision to life within your budget and timeframe.