With spring here, there’s no better time to get in the exterior home improvement spirit, especially if you’re looking to freshen up the look of your home.

How much should you expect to spend? Landscapingnetwork.com says a $15,000 budget is fairly common for sprucing up an average size front yard. The rule of thumb is to spend 10% of your home’s value on landscaping the entire property. For example, if your home is worth $150,000 then you’d want to allocate $15,000 to your landscaping budget.

“You can do a lot with $15,000. A typical wood deck with features (steps) is usually somewhere in the 6-8K range easily, “says Cargal Group Realty owner, property manager and renovation manager Derrek Cargal. “Consider adding walkways, pergolas, fire pits and patios.”

Add usable space — build a deck

A new deck can add value to your home, give it a new look and enhance space without the spending of building a whole new room. Homeadvisor.com tells us that the average homeowner spends $8,142 to build a 200-500 square foot deck, with smaller decks costing as low an average of $4,836. “The size, number of stairs, materials and extras to perfect functionality will be key indicators when pricing out the deck you want for your home,” said Derrek. “Most composite decking comes with 25 years warranty and is a solid option for those on a budget.”

Add privacy — put up a fence

According to improvenet.com’s fence installation cost estimator, the average price to install a fence is $2,401, with prices higher or lower depending on what part of the country you happen to be in (you can enter your zip code at the link for a more exact estimate).  “The costs will vary according to the owner’s personal preference and the square footage needed to make the project happen,” said Derrek. “A 6-foot privacy wooden fence is a great addition to a home, but it can be more labor-intensive due to pressure washing and staining that will be needed for upkeep.

“With the average spend being $15-$25 per foot (including materials and installation, typically) you can make your money go a long way on a fencing project.” And if wooden fences aren’t your style, there are several other fencing options such as chain link, vinyl and wrought iron fencing ranging from $6- $30. “At the end of the day, it’s all about the home owner’s personal preference,” said Derrek.

“In my professional experience, in general, having a fence adds value to a home. Especially, when flipping houses, a fence allows the buyer to visualize what space they’re buying.”

Stay cool — add an irrigation system

An underground irrigation system delivers water to your landscaping at the right time, and in just the right amount, so you don’t overdo or under-do it. “A general rule of thumb in residential or commercial landscapes is to charge $1,000 per zone. This includes the line and irrigation heads for that given line,” says Rick Evans of Aesthetic Gardens in Mountain View, CA. However, houselogic.cominforms us that some pros will charge $3,000-$4,000 for an underground irrigation system installed on a ¼-acre lot.

There are many variables to be taken into consideration when pricing sprinkler installation such as the size of the area, quality of materials, slop, rocky or sandy soil, etc., so be sure to try to iron out details of your project early on. Overall, an irrigation system saves water, keeps your lawn and flower beds looking fresh, and helps freshen your home’s curb appeal.

If you’re in the middle of planning your next big landscaping project or perhaps, you’re in need of home improvement, consider obtaining a LendingPoint loan to finance your home improvements and make your home happy.

Home improvement financing

Your savings are important and if you don’t want to empty your emergency cash stash, a LendingPoint loan may be a great option.

We offer decisions in minutes and funding as soon as the next business day to help make your home improvement dreams a reality. There is no time like the present to start your home-improvement project.