The Truth About Landscaping Costs in Memphis: What to Budget For

If you’re thinking about investing in a new outdoor living area, you might be wondering about the cost of landscaping in Memphis.

While it’s very hard to give specific costs due to many variable factors, in this Memphis landscaping pricing guide, we have rounded up some information that will help you better understand what you’re paying.

Jump to:

• How much for landscaping in Memphis?

• What contributes to the cost of landscaping services in Memphis

• Be wary of cheap landscaping

• FAQs about landscaping costs in Memphis

• Choosing landscaping services in Memphis

How much for landscaping in Memphis?

This is an almost impossible question to answer as it’s so individual and there are so many variables at play. Every landscaping project should be customized to the individual (and to the property).

A general rule of thumb that we’ve seen used in real estate articles and other places is to plan to spend around 10% to 15% of your home’s total value on landscaping.

But these days, people want to spend more time outdoors than ever before. They’re not just looking for updated plant beds and softscaping, they’re looking for total outdoor living areas.

In this way, the landscaped areas become a true extension of the home.

For that reason, we’re seeing homeowners willing to spend even more on their outdoor living spaces. It’s not uncommon at all these days for homeowners to invest in six-figure outdoor living areas, complete with all of the amenities.

While we know that homeowners are sometimes uncomfortable talking about money early on, not having a sense of your budget for landscaping in Memphis can slow the process down. Your landscape designer might create a landscape design that isn’t even in range for what you plan to spend. It makes sense for everyone to be on the same page from the start.

What contributes to the cost of landscaping services in Memphis

There are a number of factors that impact the cost of landscaping in Memphis. Here are a few considerations.

Property Layout and Size

The larger the area being landscaped, the more it’s going to cost. Complex layouts with factors like narrow side yards, steep slopes, or overall limited access can be more complicated and therefore raise the cost of landscaping services in Memphis.

What’s involved in site preparation can also impact the cost. If you have a blank slate that’s a lot easier to work with than a property that needs old landscaping removed. When you get into any land clearing (like removing old shrubs or trees) or any demolishing (like removing an old patio), it can increase the cost before any new landscaping is even started.

Project Complexity

Are you adding a simple patio and some new landscape beds around it or are you adding an outdoor living space with all of the bells and whistles? The complexity of your project, including how many upgrades you incorporate is going to significantly impact the cost.

If you’re truly looking to spend more time outdoors and make memories with your family, you probably don’t want to skimp project additions. But obviously the more you add into the project, the more it’s going to cost. Projects that include features like an outdoor kitchen, a swimming pool, and outdoor lighting are going to add up. But these are the types of features that will have you spending all day outdoors.

Grading, Drainage, and Other Challenges

There can also be challenges that arise which are specific to your property. Things like re-grading and drainage correction can add to the overall cost of landscaping in Memphis, but not taking care of these things properly can be detrimental in the long run.

The cost of grading can vary based on how much the elevation needs to change, how much soil needs to be moved, and what site access is like for equipment. The cost of drainage correction can vary based on which drainage solutions might be warranted. Something simple like a downspout extension or even a French drain can be less costly than catch basins or more comprehensive solutions.

The Memphis clay-heavy soils can also be a challenge when it comes to site preparation. It can make digging hard and can impact drainage and grading needs.

Both grading and drainage can require skilled labor and specialized equipment, which can raise the price of these important services. But overlooking them could be catastrophic to your outdoor living area down the road.

Be wary of cheap landscaping

If you get multiple bids for your landscaping project, you might be tempted to shop on price. But it’s very important that you analyze what you’re getting for your investment.

Cheap landscaping bids often exclude critical items like drainage corrections, soil prep, or irrigation upgrades. If problems aren’t addressed and corrected at the preparation stage, you could wind up with costly problems down the road.

In addition, it’s important not to think of irrigation as a feature you can add on later.

Including irrigation as part of the initial project is making an investment in your project. Irrigation will help keep the turf and plants performing their best. The last thing that you want is to lose new plant material or turf due to improper watering.

One way to have a better sense of what you’re getting for your investment is to ask the landscaping company for examples of local work that they’ve completed. It also always helps to peruse the website gallery of finished projects.

Remember your investment in high-quality landscaping will ultimately improve the value of your home while also enhancing the outdoor usability of your property. This is worth not skimping on your landscaping budget.

FAQs about landscaping costs in Memphis

How much does landscaping cost in Memphis?

It’s impossible to answer this question as every project will be different. Some sources say to budget 10% to 15% of your home’s total value. But we’ve had many projects that were well over that. With people wanting to spend more time outside, many are looking for total outdoor living areas that rival the interior of their homes.

Is landscaping worth the investment for Memphis homeowners?

Yes, the cost of landscaping in Memphis is worth it as it will become a true extension of your home. Outdoor living areas also have a strong ROI as many home buyers are intentionally looking for outdoor space.

Should irrigation be included in a landscape project?

Yes, irrigation should be included in a landscape project as it’s an important way to protect your investment in new plants and turf. In the Memphis heat, proper irrigation is vital.

Can landscaping projects be completed in phases?

Yes, in some cases, large landscaping projects are completed in phases. You might add a patio now and have plans to add an outdoor kitchen down the road. But keep in mind that there are certain things that will need to be done in order to make an outdoor kitchen possible (like running electricity or water lines) which will still need to be completed in phase one so that nothing has to be dug up later. This is one of the benefits of working with a landscape designer that can look at the big picture including your future plans.

Choosing landscaping services in Memphis

Making the right choice when it comes to a landscaping provider is going to be critical in creating your dream outdoor living area. Whenever getting started on any outdoor living project, we want to stress the importance of finding a design/build landscape firm that handles everything in-house. This is going to be the best way to ensure that everything is streamlined.

It’s also critical what kind of oversight your project is getting. Who is handling the big decisions and overseeing everything from a higher level?

At Mid South Irrigation & Landscape, Owner and President Jesse Wisley oversees all of the landscape design and installation projects.

When you begin a landscape project with Mid South Irrigation & Landscape, you are beginning a landscape project with Jesse himself. Jesse only takes on two or three projects at a time in order to ensure maximum service is provided to his clients. Throughout the duration of your landscaping project with Jesse, you will develop a personal relationship with him, and will always be able to contact him directly. That makes all the difference when it comes to getting the best results.

At Mid South Irrigation & Landscape, the process begins with a high-quality and detailed landscape design that incorporates your wants, needs, and ideas. Then it moves into expert installation of everything that was designed. Soon, you’ll be enjoying your dream outdoor living area with your friends and family.

Are you ready to get started with the process?

Give us a call. We’re excited to get started bringing your vision to life.

Ready to talk about ideas and have your new landscape designed and installed? Request a consultation today.