If you’re considering purchasing a new construction home, one important factor you might not immediately consider is the level of landscaping that comes with it. Spoiler alert: not all home builders include the same landscaping package, and what a builder offers can vary significantly from one to another. Some new construction homes may have a fully landscaped yard, complete with manicured lawns, trees, and shrubs, while other builders may only offer basic landscaping or none at all.
Understanding what’s included in your new home purchase can impact your budget and timeline, especially if you’ll need additional landscaping work after move-in. It’s important to ask detailed questions about what’s included, from front yard curb appeal to backyard functionality.
In this article, we’ll discuss what to look for, standard landscaping packages, and critical questions to ask your builder to ensure your home comes with the outdoor space you envision.
Is Landscaping Included in the Purchase of a New Construction Home?
Most new construction homebuilders will, at the very least, excavate the ground around the property after they build it. However, this is not always the case. Some builders will also provide more, adding topsoil on top of the excavated soil, installing sod, or even delivering a complete landscaping package with flower beds and front walkways.
While you shouldn’t assume the construction company will handle landscaping in every situation, some reputable builders build homes and ensure landscaping is taken care of. Ask your builder what landscaping level they include to better understand what you can expect.
What Are the Benefits of Having Landscaping Included?
Having landscaping included with your new house can offer a range of advantages, both in terms of cost savings and overall convenience. Here are a few of the more impactful benefits:
- Immediate curb appeal: A fully landscaped yard will boost the aesthetic value of your home from day one. Professional landscaping and outdoor living spaces can elevate your home’s appearance and overall market value.
- Time and effort: Planning and installing landscaping can be an extensive endeavor. Not only is landscaping time-consuming, but it also requires knowledge of plants, soil, irrigation, and design. When landscaping is included, you don’t have to spend extra time finding and hiring a contractor or taking on the project yourself.
- Cost efficiency: Hiring a professional landscaper can be expensive. On the other hand, bundling the landscaping into your home's purchase price often means better pricing since your builder will usually be able to secure bulk materials and labor at a discounted rate.
- Consistent design: When a builder provides landscaping, it typically complements the overall style and architecture of the home, ensuring a cohesive look. A thoughtfully landscaped yard that matches the home’s exterior can create a harmonious, well-balanced environment that feels polished and complete.
- Warranty and maintenance: When a builder includes landscaping, they may also provide a limited warranty on the plants or other elements. Additionally, they may offer maintenance tips or recommend local landscapers to ensure your new yard stays healthy for years.
Tips to Ensure You Get the Landscaping You Want
When considering landscaping for your new construction home, getting what you envision requires careful planning and clear communication with your builder. Here are some essential tips to help ensure your yard turns out the way you want, without any surprises.
Don’t Assume Your Builder Includes Landscaping
As discussed above, one of the biggest mistakes new home buyers make is assuming their builder will include landscaping in the home purchase. Every builder offers different packages, and while some may provide a fully landscaped yard, others may only do minimal work. It’s essential to clarify what landscaping services are included in your contract. If landscaping is not part of the package, consider negotiating for additional work or budgeting for it after move-in. Ask specific questions about front yard, backyard, and side yard landscaping to get a clear picture of what’s included.
Pay Attention to Your Home’s Grading
Proper grading is crucial for a well-functioning landscape. Grading refers to how the land slopes around your home, ensuring water drains away from the foundation. Most builders will grade your yard during construction. If you decide to handle landscaping yourself after move-in, you’ll want to ensure your plans don’t mess up the grade of your new lawn. When discussing plans with a landscape contractor, make sure they explain how their work will impact grading.
Wait For Your Yard to Settle
Many new homeowners don’t realize that the soil around a new home needs time to settle after construction. If you install landscaping elements too quickly, they may become uneven as the ground shifts over time. Most homebuilders recommend waiting at least a few months before completing any major landscaping. This waiting period enables the ground to settle naturally, reducing the risk of future issues and loose soil structure.
Don’t Rush
It can be very tempting to try and transform your outdoor space immediately after moving in. However, it’s often better to take your time and plan out landscaping thoroughly before breaking any ground. Living in your home for a few months may help you better understand what you want based on how you plan to use your front and back yards.
Consider using this time to track how much sunlight each area of your yard receives, research native plants that do well in your climate, and decide what outdoor features you’d like to have in your yard. Whether you’re handling the landscaping yourself or coordinating with your builder or a professional landscape designer, thoroughly planning out your new landscape will ensure the design and layout suit your lifestyle and enhance the overall value of your home.
Breaking Ground: Your Dream Home Awaits
The easiest way to ensure you get the landscaping of your dreams might be by working with a reputable builder who cares about the quality of their homes and the outdoor spaces that come with them. A builder who pays attention to every detail, from the grading to the final placement of plants, ensures your yard is beautiful and functional for years to come.
Century Communities takes the stress out of landscaping by providing thoughtful, professionally designed outdoor spaces as part of our home offerings. Focusing on delivering a complete, move-in-ready experience, we ensure that your new home’s yard matches the quality and design of the house itself.
Ready to find your dream home and outdoor space? Use our Find Your Home feature to explore available homes in your area today!
New Home Landscaping FAQ
How do I prepare for new landscaping?
Discuss your vision and the builder's landscape plan in detail to prepare for new landscaping and ensure it aligns with your expectations. Evaluate the grading and drainage around your home, and allow time for the soil to settle before making significant additions like patios, water features, or garden beds. Research the right plants and landscaping ideas that fit your lifestyle and climate for a cohesive, long-lasting outdoor space.
What is a good landscaping budget?
Professional landscaping can drastically vary in price. Landscaping projects for basic sod and sprinkler systems will cost between $2,000 and $4,000 for single-family homes. However, the cost of each project will be different depending on various factors, including where your home is located, the hours of labor involved, plant selection, and the project's overall scope.
Bonus tip: There are many cities and charitable programs across the country that offer a free-tree program, such as Denver Digs Trees. Be sure to look into your area’s offerings to see if this is something that can apply to you.
What is the most expensive part of landscaping?
Labor is by far the most expensive part of landscaping, as laying sod, operating heavy equipment and machinery, and planting trees and shrubs require special training and many hours of work.