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Tag: patios

Top 5 Landscaping Projects with the Highest Return on Investment (ROI)

Homeowners considering home improvement projects often think about whether they will get the value back when they decide to sell their homes. Of course, kitchens and bathrooms are usually high on the list of popular renovations. However, homeowners may overlook that many outdoor landscaping projects can yield 100% or more of their investment in a home sale. In addition, the outdoor home improvements will enhance their family’s enjoyment with the upgrades to the outdoor living space.

Learn How Investing in Landscape Design Pays for Itself

Landscaping Projects that Add Value to Your Home

Burkholder Brothers Landscape does all types of outdoor home improvements. We have collected information about which ones give you the best value for your hard-earned dollars. Some of the enhancements are so simple that they might surprise you.

1. Lawn Care and Planting Beds

One of the most significant ways homeowners can increase their ROI on outdoor landscaping projects is to maximize curb appeal. Prospective buyers look carefully at landscaping when inspecting different houses, so the landscaping needs to be attractive and pristine. For example, if a buyer is looking at two different houses and one only has foundation planting in the front yard, while the other has more vibrant front yard landscaping with flower beds, window boxes, and other landscape features.

As a result, the buyer is far more likely to be attracted to and willing to pay more for the second house, allowing you to recoup more of your investment by listing your home at a higher price.

Essential lawn maintenance and upkeep improve curb appeal, but did you know that simply controlling weed growth and fertilizing can yield a ROI of nearly 217%? That is what a 2023 joint study by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found.

  • landscaped walkway with hydrangeas leading to pool area in backyard -Burkholder Landscape

  • green lawn with plant beds near pale yellow house | Custom lawn care program | Burkholder Landscape

  • Border Plantings | Landscaping | Burkholder Landscape

2. Patios & Outdoor Living Spaces

Other types of landscaping projects that can make your outdoor space more usable and provide a high ROI are patios, decks and outdoor living spaces. The addition of these exterior structures adds much value to a home in the eyes of homeowners and buyers. For example, according to the Journal of Light Construction’s 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, a new composite deck can return around 89% on your investment. This feature adds usable living space for your family and the addition can complement your landscape and architecture while increasing your living space and making room for entertaining options, like eating or cooking areas and even a spa.

  • chairs around a firepit on a round patio- investing in landscape design- Burkholder Landscape

  • Backyard Oasis from rear, outdoor furniture with black accessories, spa, outdoor kitchen and large Blu Grande pavers by Techo-Bloc - by Burkholder Landscape

  • Techo-Bloc Patio project - Burkholder Landscape

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3. Softscape Upgrade

Adding upgraded soil that better nurtures grass and plant growth is one of the relatively simple landscaping projects that improve the overall look of your lawn. Lush shrubs and trees lend privacy, shade, and beauty. According to HGTV. recent nationwide surveys, mature, well-placed trees can raise a home’s value by 7  to 19%, depending on location, condition, and landscaping, while increasing your pride and pleasure in your landscape.

  • purple plantings along stepstone walkway - investing in landscape design - Burkholder Landscape

  • landscaped walkway with column light leading to walkway and backyard -Burkholder Landscape

  • Backyard Oasis from rear, outdoor furniture with black accessories, spa, outdoor kitchen and large Blu Grande pavers by Techo-Bloc - by Burkholder Landscape

Outdoor Lighting-Burkholder Landscape

4. Landscape Lighting

Adding thoughtfully designed outdoor lighting can increase your property value, in addition to improving security and ambiance, and extending available entertainment hours outdoors. Recent estimates by Better Homes and Gardens and Angi surveys found that these types of upgrades can yield approximately an 59-60% ROI, and you can use the lighting to accentuate other aspects of your property, such as showing off the nearby plants or highlighting the architecture of your home.

5. Pathways and Edges

Clearly defined walkways and edges add visual appela to your landscape, as well as structure. While walkways are rarely isolated in ROI reports, studies of hardscaping, including walkways, patios, and retaining walls, often show property value increases in the range of 10–30% depending on design, materials, and integration with the landscape. Some common material choices are pavers, natural stone, and brick.

Call Burkholder for all of Your Landscaping Projects

Burkholder Brothers landscaping has been designing, implementing, and maintaining home landscapes and landscape features for over 25 years in the Main Line area. Our designers will help you determine which landscaping projects will add the most value and enjoyment within your budget. Contact us today to get started on your landscaping.

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Patio Options to Make Your Outdoor Space Exceptional

Many homeowners enjoy spending time out on their patios and want to make their patios suit their needs. Some want protection from the elements, others want to cook and dine outdoors, and others need a lot of seating for entertaining guests. However you like to spend time outdoors, the patio options available to you can take your outdoor space to the next level. Here are some ideas for features and structures that can improve your patio and outdoor space.

See Our Patio Portfolio!

Covers and Shade Structures

Some of the most popular patio options for homeowners are structures that provide cover and shade, which take many forms based on peoples’ preferences.

  • Pergolas are freestanding structures, typically made from wood, that provide partial overhead coverage and are especially beautiful with plant or canopy accents.
  • A pavilion is another freestanding structure similar to a pergola: the main difference being that a pavilion has a fully-covered roof. Pavilions provide plenty of coverage for backyard areas like a grill.
  • Shade sails are outdoor covers made from fabric that offer shade (and look similar to the sails of a boat) and are ideally installed over decks or patios.

Each of these structures and coverings has unique designs and is excellent if you want to keep UV rays and rain from messing up your outdoor fun.

Lighting used in pavilion | Patio Options | Burkholder Landscaping

Outdoor Kitchen

A growing trend among homeowners who want to improve their patios and backyards is to add an outdoor kitchen or dining area. Both of these patio options make your space noteworthy and exceptional while also having many design possibilities. For example, if you like to cook outdoors and want an outdoor kitchen designed for entertainment, you can add a bar or island so your friends and family can chat while cooking. You can also add various cooking tools and features, such as pizza ovens or beer taps, to give you more options. And these can be outfitted with additional features like warming drawers, sinks, and refrigerators to make your outdoor kitchen as high-tech as your indoor kitchen.

Techo Bloc Retaining Seating Wall | Patio Options | Burkholder Landscaping

Seating Walls

More and more homeowners are adding outdoor furniture to their patios for extra seating, but one of the more creative ways people add additional seating is with seating walls. A seating wall is a short wall designed for seating, combining all of the benefits of a place to sit with retaining walls. In addition, while weatherproof and resistant outdoor furniture exists, a seating wall can easily withstand exposure to sunlight, rain, snow, and other weather. So if you need to control a slope in your yard, repurpose a retaining wall, or want to define where the patio ends and the yard begins, seating walls are great choices.

Seating walls also work when paired with other patio features. For example, a fire pit makes for a great central location to gather around for entertainment, and a seating wall can accommodate many people while reflecting heat from the fire for a cozy lounge area.

Other Patio Options

In addition to the options listed above, here are a few other ways to improve your patio.

  • Fireplaces and fire pits, as mentioned previously, are great for creating comforting and inviting entertainment spaces.
  • Sound systems give entertainment options, like playing music when hosting a party with friends and family.
  • Adding plants around the patio is ideal for nature lovers and those who appreciate their landscape.

Contact Burkholder for Patio & Landscape Design

Do you have a preference for one or more of these many patio options? If you want them to be incorporated in your landscape, contact Burkholder Brothers. Burkholder’s landscape design experts will work closely with you through a proven design process to arrive at concepts suited to your needs, sense of style, and home. We have worked with Main Line residents for decades, building pergolas or pavilions and designing and maintaining their landscapes. In addition, we offer a range of choices that maximize style and detail while respecting the project budget. Contact us today for a consultation!

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2018 Patio Design Trends

Building a patio is arguably one of the most popular outdoor projects, probably because you are in effect creating an entirely new living space with an unlimited design potential. The most important thing about designing a patio is to plan for the quantity and type of furniture you wish to place on the patio. A dining table for eight takes up more space than a dining table for four. A group of “deep seating” type furniture will need extra space as well. In designing the outdoor living area the sky is the limit, with features available like kitchens, shade structures, LED lighting, spas, fire features and furniture. The team at Burkholder Landscape can guide you through the latest trends in landscape and patio design to help you plan your perfect outdoor getaway.

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