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Landscaping enhances your outdoor living space, boosts curb appeal and increases your home’s value. But landscaping doesn’t come cheap and could cost you thousands of dollars depending on your vision for the finished product. Consider home equity financing, personal loans, credit cards or contractor financing to help pay for this important project.
How much does landscaping cost?
Landscaping typically costs between $1,200 and $6,000 — or between $4 and $12 per square foot — with an average cost of around $3,500, according to data compiled by Angi, a home improvement advisor. Ultimately, the cost of landscaping depends on the scope of the project and the size of your yard.
For example, if you’re just looking to add new flowers or shrubs around your house and yard, your project might only set you back a couple hundred dollars. However, if you’re facing a major remodel, expect to be on the higher end of the scale. Or, if you plan to include hardscaping in your project — walkways, pools, decks, patios or other non-plant-related features — be prepared for significantly higher costs.
Calculate your costs for landscaping loans
Your loan’s total cost depends on the loan type, lender, interest rate and loan term. Those elements vary based on your credit score, income and other factors. Use our landscape financing calculator to compare monthly payments based on different rates and loan terms.
You could save up for your landscaping project and pay in cash, especially if it’s a smaller job. But, if you want to hire professionals or truly design the lawn and garden of your dreams, consider these landscape financing options.
Personal loans
A personal loan is normally unsecured, meaning you won’t need collateral to secure the loan. Funding for personal loans is usually fast, and interest rates typically range from 6% to 36%, with the best rates reserved for borrowers with good credit. Most lenders offer personal loans from $1,000 to $50,000, and you’ll pay it back in equal monthly installments over one to seven years. Fast funding and predictable monthly payments make personal loans a good option for home improvement loans.
The Finder Score crunches 6+ types of personal loans across 50+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.
An excellent way to leverage your home’s equity is to use those funds to beautify your outdoor space, although you may need at least 20% equity to qualify. One way is with a lump sum home equity loan. Home equity loans come with fixed rates, and you’ll repay the loan in equal payments like a personal loan. This option might make sense if you know exactly how much the project costs.
Another option is a home equity line of credit (HELOC). A HELOC is a revolving line of credit where you can borrow as much — or as little — as you need up to your approved credit limit. And you’ll only pay interest on what you borrow. A HELOC is a good idea if you’re doing the project yourself or in stages and you’re not sure how much it will cost.
Pros
Better rates than personal loans or credit cards
Leverages your home’s equity to increase your home’s value
Longer loan terms
Cons
Uses your home as collateral
Loan processing can take time
May have to pay closing costs
Credit cards
Paying for your landscaping project with a credit card isn’t a bad idea for smaller projects, especially if you think you can pay it off quickly. For larger projects, you may want to apply for a credit card with a 0% introductory rate. If you pay it off during the introductory period, you could enjoy interest-free financing for up to 18 months. Plus, credit cards are usually easier to qualify for.
Pros
Potential for months of interest-free financing
Typically easier to qualify for
Fast access to funds
Cons
Rates are high if you can’t pay it off relatively quickly
Potential for low borrowing limit
May not qualify depending on income and credit score
Contractor or vendor financing
Some landscaping contractors offer in-house financing or through a third-party lender. If you opt for a contractor that handles landscaping financing, you’ll usually get an offer after they’ve come up with an estimate for the project. This can save you the time and hassle of seeking outside financing, and you may even get a promotional offer. But choose contractor financing only if it’s less expensive than other landscaping loans.
If you plan on doing most of the landscaping project yourself — or just hiring some help for the heavy lifting — consider promotional financing deals from the store where you get your materials. Places like Home Depot, Lowes or other big box stores may have all the plants and supplies you need, and they often have 0% financing offers for six months or more.
Pros
One-stop shopping for contractor financing
May have promotional offers
Sometimes no credit check
Cons
May not be the least expensive loan option
Ties you to one contractor or store
Contractors that offer financing may be more expensive
How to get a loan for landscaping
Qualifying for deck or patio financing depends on the loan type, your credit score and other factors, but here are some basic guidelines to get started.
Determine your budget and the scope of the project. It’s helpful to know the project’s scope and how much you want to spend before you meet with contractors.
Get multiple estimates. Labor costs vary, and some contractors may get better deals on plant supplies and materials, so get at least two or three estimates.
Check your credit score. Knowing your credit score will help you determine which financing option makes the most sense for you.
Get prequalified. If possible, prequalify for a few different loans so you can find the best deal.
Read the contract. Some lenders charge application, origination or other fees. Be sure you’re aware of the loan’s total cost and its terms.
Bottom line
Landscaping your yard brings you years of pleasure, boosts your curb appeal and adds value to your home, but it can be an expensive undertaking. Consider home equity financing, personal loans or contractor financing to help you fund this valuable home improvement project.
Frequently asked questions
Are there landscaping loans for bad credit?
It can be more difficult to qualify for landscape financing if your credit score isn’t great. However, some lenders consider borrowers with bad credit, but you’ll probably pay a higher rate. You may want to consider a secured loan instead, which could get you a better rate.
Do landscaping companies offer financing?
Some landscaping contractors offer landscape financing, and you might even get a better deal than you would from other lending sources. But be sure to get estimates from smaller operations that don’t offer financing. That way, you can compare estimates and determine the best deal.
Should I use my home’s equity to finance my landscaping?
Tapping into your home’s equity to make improvements on your house is generally a smart move if it increases your home’s value.
Lacey Stark is a freelance personal finance writer for Finder, specializing
in banking, loans, investing, estate planning, and more. She has 20
years of experience writing and editing for magazines, newspapers, and
online publications. A word nerd from childhood, Lacey officially got her
start reporting on live sporting events and moved on to cover topics
such as construction, technology, and travel before finding her niche in
personal finance. Originally from New England, she received her
bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and completed a
postgraduate journalism program at Metropolitan State University also
in Denver. She currently lives in Chicagoland with her dog Chunk and
likes to read and play golf. See full bio
Upstart looks beyond your credit history to things like your education and career path when considering you for a loan. Learn about similar online lenders.
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