There are plenty of variables that determine the cost of hardscaping. People often don’t know how much hardscape design generally costs. This is because there are so many factors that play into the cost.
These factors vary depending on your hardscape project’s location as well as the type of hardscape features you want to include. Whether you want to add a few features to your existing landscape or you want to completely reshape your yard, hardscaping is all about pulling man-made and natural elements together.
In this article, we’ll address all your questions about hardscaping, its benefits, and its costs.
What Is Hardscaping?
Hardscaping is a crucial part of landscaping that involves decorative structures. This can be anything from driveways to benches to patios to fences. The definition of the word “hardscape” is all of the non-living elements that go into landscaping.
Hardscaping is one of two major subcategories in landscaping, the other being softscaping. Softscape, on the other hand, is what you picture when you think of landscaping. It is maintenance of all of the living things in a yard, like grass, flowers, and trees.
Elements of hardscaping can also define space. Pathways and driveways lead visitors through the property. Here are examples of some hardscape features:
Patios
Stone walkways
Fences
Decks
Retaining walls
Landscape steps
Arbors or gazebos
Fountains
Fire pits
Why Invest In Hardscape?
The outdoor spaces of your property or properties deserve to look as good as the indoor spaces. Features like the ones listed above not only provide the space with elements that define it, but they also add value.
Patios, decks, and walkways that flow together well have a high return on investment. Not only does hardscape make the property more attractive, it also boosts the monetary worth of your property. Additionally, many hardscape features are easy to maintain and last through climatic changes and regular wear and tear.
Hardscape is almost as important as softscape when it comes to selling a home. This means that your properties can’t afford to have poor quality or unattractive hardscaping.
How Much Does Hardscape Design Cost?
So now that you know that investing in hardscape is a crucial part of landscaping for a home or other type of property, you might be wondering how much money it takes to create your hardscape dreams. The answer to this question largely depends on what kind of hardscape design you want and other environmental factors.
Many people have no clue about how much hardscaping might cost them. This is understandable because the cost can be anywhere from a couple thousand dollars for smaller installations to upwards of one hundred thousand dollars for large-scale projects.
Site Access
One of the big factors in price is how accessible your site is. Generally, an open, flat project area is preferable. The harder it is to get the materials to the site, the longer the project is going to take. This means that you’ll spend more money on a less accessible site.
Soil
The three main soil classifications are sand, silt, and clay. If your properties have a clay-like soil, you’ll probably spend more on base thickness than areas with silt and sand. This is because your base needs to withstand freeze thaw cycles. Additionally, clay soil is difficult to compact without adding an amendment, which will cost you a little extra as well.
Site Grading
Grading is the act of ensuring a level base or a specific slope for your project. Say you want to build a patio on your property. If the project area drops in slope, you might need to add a retaining wall, which can add to the overall cost of the project. However, this retaining wall will keep the patio and the base underneath from eroding away over time.
Materials
This is one of the more obvious costs of hardscaping. The price of your hardscape project largely depends on the specific material you’re using, including its size, shape, color, and texture.
Here are some of the materials hardscape projects generally use:
- Wood
- Concrete
- Brick
- Tile
- Solid stone
- Loose stone
- Pavers
Each of these materials will have a different cost depending on customizations and how big the project is.
Other Cost Factors
Here are some of the other factors that can drive up the price of your hardscape design project:
- Gas fire pits
- Pergolas
- Landscape lighting
- Planting
In addition to these costs, yard repair after the fact is another cost you need to consider when planning your hardscape design. Driving heavy equipment and hauling materials over the property all day does a lot of damage to the yard. The clean up is a big part of the job that tends to be overlooked.
Invest In Hardscape Design Today
Hardscaping is a great investment for your property, whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or developer. Not only does it boost the value of your property, it also provides an outdoor experience that caters to people. This is an excellent way to implement a social aspect to your properties if that’s important to you.
If you want this type of outdoor experience for your own property, don’t stop at softscaping. Walkways, patios, and fixtures can make or break a space. If you have decided are ready to begin your hardscape project in the west suburbs of Chicago, visit our website for a free quote.
In order to create a space for humans to comfortably exist with nature, you’ll want to ensure that you employ a trustworthy company. Not doing so could result in wasting thousands of dollars on poor quality materials or workmanship.
At Arbeen Landscaping, our passion has always been landscaping and lawn maintenance. We are committed to giving our customers the best possible landscape experience with the highest quality workmanship and materials. To ensure that you get the best possible hardscape design, contact us at Arbeen Landscaping. Whether you have a question about hardscaping or landscaping in general, we’re here to help.
