How good landscaping increases your home value

A well-maintained yard is not just a pleasure to look at. For homeowners in Fairfield County, it can be one of the most cost-effective investments you make before a sale. The American Society of Landscape Architects estimates that quality landscaping adds 15% to 20% to a home’s overall value, and the National Association of Realtors’ 2023 Remodeling Impact Report found that basic lawn maintenance alone returns 217% ROI at resale. That means every dollar spent on keeping a lawn healthy can return more than two dollars when you close.

If you’ve wondered whether investing in professional landscaping adds value to your home, the answer is straightforward: yes, and in Fairfield County’s competitive real estate market, it matters more than most homeowners realize. Stamford, Darien, and Greenwich buyers expect polished outdoor spaces. Properties with well-designed, low-maintenance landscapes sell faster and appraise higher than comparable homes with neglected yards.

For more on the full scope of what professional outdoor work involves, see our landscape design services page.

What the data says about landscaping and home value

National research consistently shows that landscaping adds value to homes at a higher rate than most interior renovations. Here is a summary of the most-cited ROI figures, drawn from NAR’s Remodeling Impact Report and industry appraisal data:

Source: NAR 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features; Angi landscaping cost data 2026

The numbers above reflect national averages. In Fairfield County, where home prices and buyer expectations are both elevated, the actual value added by professional landscaping tends to land at the higher end of each range.

How much can landscaping increase your home value in Connecticut?

The most commonly cited research range is 5% to 20%, depending on the quality of the work and the condition of the property before improvements. For context, the median home price in Fairfield County is well above the national average. On a $700,000 property in Darien or New Canaan, a 10% uplift from well-executed landscaping represents $70,000 in additional value, often achieved for a fraction of that in actual investment.

A Virginia Tech study frequently cited in real estate literature found that high-quality landscaping increases perceived home value by 5.5% to 12.7% compared to a home with no landscaping at all. Connecticut buyers, particularly in Stamford and Greenwich, are comparing your property to well-maintained neighbors. The gap between a neglected yard and a professionally designed one in these markets is not cosmetic; it affects appraisals and time on market.

Three variables drive the actual number you’ll see:

• Design quality: professional, cohesive designs with a clear plan return more than piecemeal improvements added over time
• Plant selection: native species that thrive in Connecticut’s USDA Zone 6b require less maintenance and signal lower ongoing costs to buyers
• Condition at point of sale: even mature, beautiful plantings lose value if they look neglected; consistent maintenance ties the whole investment together

If you’re planning a project before listing, or simply want your outdoor space to work harder for your investment, request a free estimate and we can walk through what improvements make the most sense for your property and goals.

Landscaping projects that deliver the strongest returns

Lawn maintenance and fertilization

This is the highest-ROI category in the NAR data, at 217%. A healthy, green lawn signals to buyers that the property has been well cared for. In Connecticut, seasonal maintenance including fertilization, aeration, overseeding in fall, and consistent edging keeps a lawn looking its best through all four seasons. Our lawn fertilizing service and landscape maintenance program are designed to keep Fairfield County lawns in top condition year-round.

Hardscaping: patios, walkways, and retaining walls

Hardscape features consistently return 89% to 200% depending on the project type and materials. A natural stone or paver patio extends usable living space and is a strong selling point for Connecticut buyers who want outdoor entertaining areas. Flagstone walkways return close to 100% of their cost and significantly improve the first impression a property makes from the street.

Retaining walls serve both a functional and aesthetic purpose on sloped Fairfield County properties. Beyond erosion control, a well-built stone retaining wall adds visual structure and permanence. Our masonry services cover all stonework from patios to decorative walls, built to complement the natural landscape of the property.

Trees and mature plantings

According to the Council of Tree and Landscaping Appraisers, a mature tree adds $1,000 to $10,000 to a property’s value depending on species, size, and placement. Strategically placed trees also reduce heating and cooling costs: the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that well-placed trees can cut household energy use by up to 25%. In Connecticut’s climate, shade trees on the south and west sides of a property deliver both comfort and value.

Native Connecticut species such as red maple, sugar maple, and white oak tend to perform best in Zone 6b and are the most appreciated by local buyers familiar with what grows well in the region.

Outdoor living spaces

Since 2020, demand for outdoor living spaces has surged, and buyer expectations in Fairfield County reflect that trend. A well-designed patio with defined seating areas, a fire pit, and cohesive planting around it consistently ranks among the highest-impact improvements before a sale. Our custom outdoor living design service creates spaces that feel like natural extensions of the home, which is exactly what Stamford and Darien buyers want to see.

Landscaping improvements that can hurt your home value

Not every outdoor project returns what it costs. A few common choices that can reduce buyer appeal or appraisal values:

• Artificial grass: seen as high-maintenance to replace and unappealing to buyers who prefer natural lawns in Connecticut’s climate
• Overly personal or niche designs: koi ponds, elaborate themed gardens, or highly customized features that most buyers would remove rather than maintain
• Seasonal plantings only: yards that look stunning in May but bare in October signal to buyers that the curb appeal is not reliable year-round
• Excessive concrete: large impermeable surfaces can hurt drainage and make properties feel industrial rather than residential
• Poor tree placement: trees too close to the foundation, plumbing, or driveway represent a liability rather than an asset

The consistent principle across all of these is that buyer-focused landscaping prioritizes low-maintenance, year-round appeal over personal expression. Connecticut buyers in the $500,000-plus market particularly want to see polished, low-effort outdoor spaces they can enjoy from day one.

Frequently asked questions

How much does landscaping add to home value?

Most research places the range at 5% to 20% of a home’s total value, depending on the quality of the work and the condition of the property before improvement. The NAR’s 2023 Remodeling Impact Report found that basic lawn maintenance alone returns 217% ROI, making it the highest-returning outdoor project on a cost basis.

How much does landscaping add to the value of a home in dollars?

On a $700,000 Fairfield County property, a 10% value increase from professional landscaping represents $70,000 in added value. Even modest improvements, such as a clean lawn, defined planting beds, and a paver walkway, can achieve a 5% to 7% increase for a fraction of that cost.

Does backyard landscaping add value to a home?

Yes, particularly when the backyard includes functional outdoor living features like a patio, fire pit, or defined seating area. Connecticut buyers increasingly expect usable outdoor spaces. A professionally designed backyard that extends the living area of the home is one of the strongest value-adds in the current Fairfield County market.

Does landscaping add value to your home if the neighborhood is already well-maintained?

In well-maintained neighborhoods like those in Darien, Greenwich, or New Canaan, strong landscaping is expected rather than exceptional. In these markets, below-average landscaping actively reduces value rather than average work adding it. The goal is to meet or slightly exceed the neighborhood standard, which still returns the full investment and reduces time on market.

Ready to invest in your property’s outdoor value?

Thomas J. Costello Landscaping LLC has been designing and maintaining Fairfield County properties since 2008. Our owner holds a BSc in Landscape and Nursery Management from SUNY Cobleskill, and our crew brings over 100 years of combined experience to every project. We understand what Connecticut buyers and appraisers are looking for, and we build landscapes that hold their value season after season.

Whether you’re preparing to list or planning a long-term investment in your property, we’d be glad to help you think through what makes sense. Call us at (203) 357-0788 or request a free estimate online. We respond within one business day.