Value Engineering: Different Approach to Landscape Design

Tree and Shrub Complex: Most Economical landscape

Most landscapes are a mixture of design elements – plants and hardscapes – that are providing less than maximum potential. Value engineering the landscape seeks to provide the highest level of use from the areas under cultivation and development. Bottom line: Good looks and a good price requires thoughtful and wise use of plants – sod , shrubs and trees – Value Engineering!

Shrubs grow Out and Lawns Grow In

One classic example of value engineering is around planted bed areas. Shrubs grow out and encroach on your lawn and the grass grows in and  encroaches on the planted areas. Mulched Air Gap;: Saves money/looks greatOften the solution is to trim the shrubs back so they don’t cover the lawn. But I have learned through years of experience that it is far more economical to allow the shrubs to grow out and expand the planted bed. This reduces cost in the landscape two ways:

1. Reduces the trimming of shrubs which lowers cost and benefits the shrub
2. Reduces the amount of turf which lowers cost at no determent to the turf

Classic value engineering where a simple change to  maintenance practice saves monies and improves the landscape.

Grass does not need to go Everywhere

I make a good living off of grass but I realize that way too much area is covered with turf. Some areas would benefit by alternate ground covers – shell, mulch or even other plants. 85/15 Landscape: 85% turf and 15% shrubs: Grass cost - Trees and shrubs saveThe most costly component of your planted landscape is turf. I did a study over ten years ago that clearly showed turf is the most costly component costing $1.50 per sq. ft to maintain and a shrub and tree complex cost $.56 per sq ft to maintain. Most landscapes are about 85% turf and 15% shrub and tree complex – turf more work and money/shrub and tree less money and work. Clearly if you can have a landscape that is 75% tree and shrub and 25% turf there would be a big annual savings on maintenance – a nearly maintenance free landscape.

Sustainable Landscape

The more sustainable the landscape the more economical and carefree the landscape becomes.Value engineering highest goal is sustainable landscape – a landscape that takes care of itself. Sustainable turf is hard to achieve and often only for fleeting moments during certain seasons. However shrub and tree landscapes can be fully sustainable with little intervention. A large planted bed with Pine trees and medium flower shrubs can cover thousands of sq ft, need little attention and generate their own mulch – cost of maintenance $0.00!

Value Engineering and Beauty

A value engineered landscape does not mean a sterile money saving cookie cutter landscape – quite the opposite. The value engineered landscape is the opposite of the sprawling turf lawns with a few crowded shrubs along the foundation of the house – it is actually the invert. Value engineered landscapes have large un-crowded serpentine beds with mature healthy plants under a shady canopy of trees. The heavily mulched and un-crowded planted beds are accented by turf grass that resemble flowing rivers of grass.

How to Value Engineer your Landscape

Sustainable Landscape:: Small turf/big planted beds = economical

You can start by approaching the landscape from the simple point of view: “Turf cost – trees and shrubs save”. When you eliminate turf, you save money and when you add trees and shrubs you save money. Consider alternate ground covers such as shell, wood products and stone. Also consider paying someone to redesign your landscape – you might be able to pay for the redesign in savings alone. Even with a master plan that is based on value engineering you can add and subtract over time by DIY (do it yourself).

Feel free to contact me for a free simple review of your property and tips on how to value engineer your landscape. I can also provide contract (fee based) design, consulting and renovation for your landscape.