Landscaping ROI Calculator
Landscaping is one of the few home improvements where the cost-versus-value ratio can exceed 100%. The NAR Remodeling Impact report for outdoor features found that standard lawn care services typically recover 267% of their cost, and a full landscape upgrade recovers around 100%. This is partly because buyers heavily discount homes with neglected exteriors. Use this calculator to estimate the ROI for any landscaping project by entering the project cost and expected ROI percentage from NAR data or local comparable sales.
Landscaping ROI formula
Value Added = Project Cost x (ROI% / 100)
Net Gain = Value Added - Project Cost
New Home Value = Current Home Value + Value Added
The NAR Remodeling Impact: Outdoor Features report surveys real estate agents and homeowners to determine how much value landscaping improvements add to sale price. A 100% ROI means the project cost is fully recovered at sale. Above 100% means the project adds more value than it costs.
NAR outdoor feature ROI benchmarks
- Standard lawn care service: 267% ROI (typically the single highest ROI of any home improvement).
- Overall landscape upgrade: 100% ROI.
- Landscape maintenance: 100% ROI.
- Adding a fire pit: 67% ROI.
- In-ground pool: 43% ROI (high cost, limited buyer appeal, adds insurance and maintenance obligations).
Landscaping ROI: frequently asked questions
Does landscaping increase home value?
Yes. The National Association of Realtors Remodeling Impact Report and its companion Remodeling Impact: Outdoor Features report found that standard lawn care and tree planting recover between 83% and 100% of their cost in added home value. A well-maintained landscape improves curb appeal and can be the difference between a buyer choosing to view a home or not.
What landscaping projects have the best ROI?
According to the NAR Outdoor Features report, the highest-ROI projects include: standard lawn care service (267% ROI), landscape maintenance (100% ROI), overall landscape upgrade (100% ROI), and adding a fire pit (patio) at 67% ROI. Low-maintenance plantings and hardscaping that reduce future maintenance tend to appeal most to buyers.
What is curb appeal and why does it matter?
Curb appeal is the attractiveness of a property as seen from the street. It is the first impression a buyer has of the home before they enter. A home with poor curb appeal can deter buyers from scheduling a viewing at all, while excellent curb appeal can increase perceived value and generate more competing offers.
Does over-investing in landscaping reduce ROI?
Yes. Elaborate water features, extensive hardscaping, and high-maintenance formal gardens can cost more to install and maintain than they add to resale value. Buyers often see high-maintenance landscaping as a future cost burden. Simple, attractive, low-maintenance landscaping typically has the best ROI.
What is the difference between soft landscaping and hard landscaping?
Soft landscaping refers to living elements: lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, and groundcovers. Hard landscaping refers to non-living structures: patios, paths, driveways, retaining walls, and fences. Both contribute to curb appeal. Hard landscaping typically has a higher upfront cost but lower ongoing maintenance cost.
Official sources
- National Association of Realtors: Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features.
- National Association of Realtors: 2023 Remodeling Impact Report.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 14 June 2026. See our methodology.