ᐅ Affordable landscaping for a new build – what is the best approach?
Created on: 9 Apr 2022 11:16
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MarkoW.Good morning everyone,
As some of you may have heard, we are building a semi-detached house as a prefabricated home. As is common with most suppliers, the exterior landscaping is not included in the price. So, we have to take care of that ourselves.
I have read up extensively on the topic but unfortunately keep finding very conflicting prices and cost estimates.
Just a few days ago, there was a thread where someone wanted to spend six figures on their garden—I nearly fell off my chair.
So, about our garden: The area behind the house is roughly 230 square meters (2,476 square feet), a bit over 10 meters (33 feet) wide and just over 20 meters (66 feet) long. We plan to build a simple paved terrace, which will probably be slightly higher than the rest of the garden later on. The house (being timber frame construction) has to be elevated 30cm (12 inches) above ground level. Since we want level access to the terrace from the house, it will be built flush with the door, and the lawn will then be slightly lower. We will also need to install drainage between the terrace and the house to prevent water from running into the building. That shouldn’t be a problem because the rainwater downpipes’ drainage also runs in that area. According to online sources, paving the terrace costs around 100 euros per square meter (approximately $100 per 10.8 square feet).
Regarding the fence, we will of course coordinate with our future neighbors. We’re considering separating the terrace from the neighbor with gabion walls (about 4 meters / 13 feet long). The rest of the garden will be enclosed with a welded wire fence (please no debate about the fence type—the development plan requires hedges, chain-link fencing, or welded wire fencing). On various websites, I calculated prices for this. About 50 meters (164 feet) of fencing (1.8 meters / 6 feet high and 2 meters / 6.5 feet wide per panel), including posts, costs around 4,000 euros. Privacy screening strips might be added, but they can be easily installed by ourselves, so I am leaving those out for now (around 700 euros).
We also want a lawn. I think rolled turf looks best, though I’ve also read about very different prices here. When searching for prices, about 10 euros per square meter (approximately $10 per 10.8 square feet) is displayed. Alternatively, we could sow grass seed ourselves, but then there is the risk that birds will eat it.
No flowers, trees, or shrubs are initially planned. To the right of the house, we want a garage (we have quotes starting at 15,000 euros for an 8 x 3 meter (26 x 10 feet) prefabricated garage with electricity, foundation, and installation).
The driveway / front garden can only be done once the construction access road is removed.
So what makes the garden so expensive? I’ve estimated my calculated costs:
Terrace: 40 sqm x 100 euros = 4,000 euros (possibly a bit more if more base material is needed)
Rolled turf: 200 sqm x 10 euros = 2,000 euros
Fence: 4,000 euros
That brings the total to about 10,000 euros (with the terrace costs including labor).
Then there is additional labor for the fence and lawn installation (unfortunately, I don’t feel confident doing this myself, and none of my acquaintances can either). Is labor really the main factor driving the cost so high? What labor costs would you estimate for these jobs?
Also, does it make sense to install the garage only after completing the garden work? Otherwise, it would be difficult to bring in excavators and other machinery.
What other tips would you have for keeping the garden as affordable as possible?
By the way, the plot used to be farmland, so it’s flat and the soil should be good for this kind of work.
As some of you may have heard, we are building a semi-detached house as a prefabricated home. As is common with most suppliers, the exterior landscaping is not included in the price. So, we have to take care of that ourselves.
I have read up extensively on the topic but unfortunately keep finding very conflicting prices and cost estimates.
Just a few days ago, there was a thread where someone wanted to spend six figures on their garden—I nearly fell off my chair.
So, about our garden: The area behind the house is roughly 230 square meters (2,476 square feet), a bit over 10 meters (33 feet) wide and just over 20 meters (66 feet) long. We plan to build a simple paved terrace, which will probably be slightly higher than the rest of the garden later on. The house (being timber frame construction) has to be elevated 30cm (12 inches) above ground level. Since we want level access to the terrace from the house, it will be built flush with the door, and the lawn will then be slightly lower. We will also need to install drainage between the terrace and the house to prevent water from running into the building. That shouldn’t be a problem because the rainwater downpipes’ drainage also runs in that area. According to online sources, paving the terrace costs around 100 euros per square meter (approximately $100 per 10.8 square feet).
Regarding the fence, we will of course coordinate with our future neighbors. We’re considering separating the terrace from the neighbor with gabion walls (about 4 meters / 13 feet long). The rest of the garden will be enclosed with a welded wire fence (please no debate about the fence type—the development plan requires hedges, chain-link fencing, or welded wire fencing). On various websites, I calculated prices for this. About 50 meters (164 feet) of fencing (1.8 meters / 6 feet high and 2 meters / 6.5 feet wide per panel), including posts, costs around 4,000 euros. Privacy screening strips might be added, but they can be easily installed by ourselves, so I am leaving those out for now (around 700 euros).
We also want a lawn. I think rolled turf looks best, though I’ve also read about very different prices here. When searching for prices, about 10 euros per square meter (approximately $10 per 10.8 square feet) is displayed. Alternatively, we could sow grass seed ourselves, but then there is the risk that birds will eat it.
No flowers, trees, or shrubs are initially planned. To the right of the house, we want a garage (we have quotes starting at 15,000 euros for an 8 x 3 meter (26 x 10 feet) prefabricated garage with electricity, foundation, and installation).
The driveway / front garden can only be done once the construction access road is removed.
So what makes the garden so expensive? I’ve estimated my calculated costs:
Terrace: 40 sqm x 100 euros = 4,000 euros (possibly a bit more if more base material is needed)
Rolled turf: 200 sqm x 10 euros = 2,000 euros
Fence: 4,000 euros
That brings the total to about 10,000 euros (with the terrace costs including labor).
Then there is additional labor for the fence and lawn installation (unfortunately, I don’t feel confident doing this myself, and none of my acquaintances can either). Is labor really the main factor driving the cost so high? What labor costs would you estimate for these jobs?
Also, does it make sense to install the garage only after completing the garden work? Otherwise, it would be difficult to bring in excavators and other machinery.
What other tips would you have for keeping the garden as affordable as possible?
By the way, the plot used to be farmland, so it’s flat and the soil should be good for this kind of work.
G
Georgian20199 Apr 2022 11:24We seeded about 500 sqm (5,380 sq ft) of lawn, costing around 200 €. Nothing was eaten away, and hardly any reseeding was necessary. Duration: 5 weeks with watering several times a day.
Otherwise, doing a lot yourself or with friends/neighbors saves the most.
Otherwise, doing a lot yourself or with friends/neighbors saves the most.
MarkoW. schrieb:
please no discussion about the fence, the zoning plan states it must be enclosed by hedges, chain-link fence, or welded wire panels. Why no discussion? You’re asking about an affordable garden layout. A fence is never cheap. A hedge adds value, has more worth, and is considerably cheaper than a fence, providing privacy and wind protection as well as a habitat for wildlife.
MarkoW. schrieb:
Otherwise, you can of course sow grass seed yourself (although there is the risk that birds will eat the seeds). Our ancestors successfully established their lawns by sowing seed. Rolled turf is a cost factor where you can save money!!!
MarkoW. schrieb:
So what makes the garden so expensive? The difference between a garden and a meadow. Just look up the definition of a garden.
MarkoW. schrieb:
Terrace: 40sqm x 100 Euro = 4,000 Euro (possibly a bit more if higher sub-base material is needed)
Rolled turf: 200sqm x 10 Euro = 2,000 Euro
Fence: 4,000 Euro I see a saving potential of 6,000 Euros.
What you’re overlooking, however, is the splash protection around the house and driveway. This is usually incorporated in what’s called the “external landscaping” or “external groundworks.”
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Benutzer2009 Apr 2022 11:37MarkoW. schrieb:
What other tips do you have for creating the garden as cost-effectively as possible? Garden or lawn? Because I don’t see a garden layout in your description.
Potential savings? Sow the lawn conventionally and use a hedge instead of a fence.
Garden =
ypg schrieb:
Why no discussion? You’re asking about an inexpensive garden layout. A fence is never cheap. A hedge adds value, so it’s worth more, and it is significantly cheaper than a fence. It also provides visual and wind protection, as well as a habitat for local wildlife.
Our ancestors managed their lawns well by sowing seeds. Roller shutters are a cost factor where you can save!
The difference between a garden and a meadow—just look up the definition of garden.
I see a potential saving of 6,000€ (about $6,600).
What you leave out, however, is the splash protection around the house and driveway. This is usually defined as the “outdoor area.” Alright, then maybe more of a terrace and lawn with a fence around it 😉
True, the splash protection still needs to be installed, although that’s usually done together with the driveway or front yard. The garden has drainage, and the garage is on the side of the house. Unfortunately, the front yard and driveway can probably only be done after the construction road is removed and the final street is laid out.
And are hedges really that inexpensive? I would have thought that hedges (at least those that provide full privacy) are significantly more expensive than a conventional fence.
MarkoW. schrieb:
And are hedges really that inexpensive? I thought hedges (at least privacy hedges) are significantly more costly than a conventional fence. Well, there are expensive and larger ones, and there are affordable ones… as a future homeowner, you should definitely be confident enough to plant them yourself. After all, you will have to deal with a property/garden/lawn with all its advantages and disadvantages in the future.
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