As homeowners we tend to focus mostly on the interior of their house when selling, by renovating kitchens, bathrooms and master bedrooms to add value. But don’t neglect landscaping and gardening - this is also a very effective way to add value to your home!

In Australia we’re blessed with good weather for most of the year, so it makes sense to spruce up outdoor spaces. People want a garden that is low maintenance plus a well presented outdoor living area where they can have a BBQ and entertain friends.

If you tick all the right boxes for a buyer, the outdoor space can make or break the sale of a house. Not to mention add ten of thousands of dollars to the sale price.

According to OpenAgent, “landscaping and gardening can add at least $15,000 to the value of your home”, and in some cases a lot more. Award winning Melbourne landscape designer Paal Gant describes in this article how his home sold for $150,000 more than a similar house around the corner which didn’t have a garden.

So if your outdoor space needs some TLC then it could be time to think about investing in landscaping and gardening services. This is one of the renovations that will give you good returns come sale day.

How much does landscaping cost in Australia?

There are no strict rules when it comes to budgeting for landscaping but in general you should spend between 5 - 10% of your current house price. A simple landscape design for a small garden will cost you around 5%, whereas something larger and more complex with expensive features will be nearer 10%.

Using what Paal Gant charges as a guide, here’s what you can expect to pay for landscaping:

• Landscape design plan $850 (basic)
• Landscape design plan $2,750 to $6,000 (complex)
• Labour $55 to $70 per hour
• Decking $280 to $320 per square metre
• Paving $280 to $350 a square metre
• Conversation pit with paving and built in seating $5,000
• Concrete driveway $60 per square metre
• Aggregate driveway $90 to $130 per square metre.

How much does gardening cost in Australia?

Gardening services can involve a basic tidy up or softscaping to improve the existing garden.

For simple garden maintenance like lawn mowing, weeding, pruning, lawn edging etc. you can expect to pay $40 - $60 per hour.

Investing in softscaping (aka landscape gardening) will give you the best bang for your buck come sale day, however. You could consider adding trees for screening and privacy, adding plants to bulk out beds, adding flowering plants, laying new soil and grass, and creating different zones with excavation work.

Remember costs will vary depending on the size of your garden, your location and the landscape gardener you use. In general, a full garden design service can cost between $2,000 and $5,000.

Looking for landscaping or gardening services in your area? Head to Bricks+Agent and list your job to get quotes from local specialists. Remember, it’s a good idea to get quotes from three or four companies to compare what they offer. Once you’re ready to connect you can simply enlist the services of the company you choose.

Want more handy homeowners tips and tricks? Sign up to our monthly newsletter below!