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Economic Value Of Landscaping
This article is originally published by The University of Vermont.
Economically, landscaping can increase property and resale values, lower energy costs, improve business and sales, and create positive perceptions for areas.
How Much Does Landscaping Add To Home Value?
Believe it or not, landscaping can add up to 14 percent to the resale value of a building. With the real estate market being red hot, high-quality landscaping can maximize your return and speed up its sale. A study on rental properties found that landscaping was the improvement that had the largest positive impact on occupancy. Appraised property values of homes next to natural parks and spaces are typically 8 to 20 percent higher than properties elsewhere.
Landscaping Can Lower Utility Costs
Properly selecting and placing plants can lower costs for heating and cooling homes by up to 20 percent or more. This can include deciduous trees for summer shade, and evergreens for winter windbreaks. Estimates from Department of Energy computer models are that three properly placed trees can reduce average home energy costs by between $100 and $250 annually.
In leaky old homes, the proper placement of evergreen plants can reduce both heat loss and cold air coming in during winter. During summer, plants can save 15 percent or more in air conditioning costs. Trees can be used to block the sun from windows and walls. Grass and groundcovers can be used to reduce reflected heat. Shrubs and vines next to foundations can be used to create an air space that provides some insulation.
Commercial Landscaping Makes An Impact On Business
Attractive landscapes prove beneficial to businesses as well as to homes. One survey showed that nearly 75% of respondents preferred to patronize stores that were well-landscaped, including landscaped parking lots. Another survey found that businesses with orderly and well-maintained landscapes were rated more highly than others. In fact, people have more positive perceptions about businesses with trees and green space and are willing to pay 10 percent more for products purchased in such green areas.
Rental rates for commercial properties in one study found they were 7 percent higher on well-landscaped sites. Some hotels appreciate the value of indoor plants, one of the largest indoor gardens being at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Interior rooms facing the tropical gardens are the first to be reserved, resulting in an additional $7 million in room revenues.
Plant Large Trees Over Small Trees
While smaller trees are less expensive to install and provide benefits for the short term, in the long term large trees have been shown to be a better investment. When mature, each large tree can provide an average $65 more benefit than smaller trees in energy savings, cleaner air, extended life of streets, stormwater management, and higher property values.
Get Started On Your Landscape
Ready to put some life into your landscape? The experts at Nurney Landscape & Design can help create your dream landscape. One contact, no juggling multiple contractors or equipment, and a beautiful, well-managed landscape. That's the Nurney promise. To get started, contact us!
Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor
University of Vermont
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