Landscape Financing: Best Loan Options for Every Project Size

Note: This guide covers residential landscape financing for homeowners. If you are looking for business loans for a landscaping company, that is a different product category not covered here.

Landscaping is one of the broadest categories in home improvement financing because the project range is enormous: a front yard mulch refresh might cost $2,500. A full backyard transformation with hardscaping, an outdoor kitchen, irrigation, lighting, and custom stonework can reach $80,000 or more. No single financing product fits every point in that range.

We mapped five financing options against the full project cost spectrum to give you a clear decision framework. This guide is part of BestGuide’s home improvement loan coverage. If your outdoor project includes a pool, see our guides to swimming pool financing and hot tub financing for options that cover combined budgets.

A full backyard renovation with hardscaping, a patio, and professional landscaping typically runs $15,000 to $50,000. For most projects in this range, a personal loan funds faster and costs less overall than a home equity product once closing costs are factored in.

How Much Does Landscaping Cost?

According to Angi, the average cost of a landscaping project in the U.S. is $3,517, with a range from under $200 for basic DIY work to $14,882 for professional mid-range projects and well over $100,000 for luxury outdoor living transformations. The table below maps project scope to typical cost ranges and the financing type that makes the most sense at each level.

A useful budgeting benchmark: landscape architects and real estate professionals generally recommend investing 5% to 10% of your home’s current value in landscaping to maximize return at resale. On a $400,000 home, that is $20,000 to $40,000 for a well-calibrated outdoor investment.

Does Landscaping Increase Home Value?

Yes, significantly. This is where landscape financing has an advantage over almost every other home improvement category. The ROI figures for basic outdoor maintenance are among the highest of any home improvement project, often exceeding kitchen and bathroom remodels dollar for dollar.

The National Association of Realtors and the National Association of Landscape Professionals jointly publish a Remodeling Impact Report covering outdoor projects. The most recent data shows the following returns:

• Standard lawn care service (six seasonal fertilizer and weed control applications, 5,000 sq. ft.): cost $415, return $900 at resale, 217% ROI
• Landscape maintenance (annual mulch, mowing 2,835 sq. ft., pruning, 60 perennials): cost $4,800, return $5,000, 104% ROI
• Overall landscape upgrade (enhanced front walkway, stone planters, flowering shrubs, tree, bark mulch): cost $9,000, return $9,000, 100% ROI
• Paver patio or hardscaping: approximately 95% ROI
• Wood or composite deck: approximately 87–94% ROI depending on materials
• Landscape lighting: cost $6,800, return $4,000, approximately 59% ROI
• Fire feature (stone fire pit + flagstone patio): cost $9,000, return $5,000, approximately 56% ROI

The American Society of Landscape Architects has separately found that well-executed landscaping can increase a home’s resale value by 10% to 30%. A 2025 University of Texas study found that curb appeal alone accounts for an average of 7% of a home’s value, rising to 10% to 11% in slower markets with higher inventory.

The honest caveat: these returns apply to well-executed projects at appropriate scale. Projects that exceed 10% to 15% of the home’s value rarely recover 100% at resale. The 217% ROI for lawn care specifically applies to basic maintenance, not to large custom projects. A $60,000 outdoor kitchen and custom stone patio will not return 217% in most markets.

5 Landscape Financing Options Compared

Personal Loan

A personal loan is the most practical financing option for the majority of residential landscaping projects. Because personal loans are unsecured, the lender cannot place a lien on your home if you are unable to pay, which is a meaningful distinction from home equity products in a worst-case scenario. Fixed rates and predictable monthly payments make project budgeting straightforward, and same-day funding means you can commit to a contractor start date without waiting weeks for an appraisal.

For good-to-excellent credit borrowers, LightStream by Truist is the top pick in this category. Loans range from $5,000 to $100,000 with zero fees and fixed APRs starting at 6.49% with AutoPay. LightStream loan proceeds can cover the full scope of a landscaping project: plants, trees, contractor labor, hardscaping materials, irrigation systems, lighting, decking, and outdoor kitchen components. Nothing is excluded.

Home Equity Loan

A home equity loan provides a lump sum at a fixed rate secured by your home’s equity. Rates are typically lower than personal loans, but the closing costs of $2,000 to $5,000 make this option financially inefficient for standalone landscaping projects. According to Angi, home equity loans for landscaping rarely make economic sense for isolated outdoor projects because the cost of closing eats the rate advantage.

There is one meaningful advantage that personal loans do not have: if the landscaping project qualifies as a capital improvement to your home, the interest on a home equity loan may be tax deductible. Consult a tax advisor to confirm whether your project scope qualifies. Home equity becomes a more compelling choice when the landscaping is part of a larger combined project (pool, deck, and full outdoor renovation together) where the total justifies the closing costs and the longer approval timeline.

HELOC

A HELOC suits phased outdoor projects where the full budget is not needed at once. If your plan is to do the landscaping this year, add a pool next year, and build a deck the year after, a single HELOC can finance all three phases through a revolving draw period without requiring separate loan applications each time. See our guide to swimming pool financing for a full comparison of how HELOC stacks up against personal loans on combined outdoor projects.

The primary risk with HELOCs is rate variability. Most carry variable APRs tied to the prime rate, which can shift your monthly payment over the draw period. For borrowers who want payment certainty, a fixed-rate personal loan is more predictable.

Store and Retail Financing

Home Depot and Lowe’s both offer consumer credit programs with 0% APR for 12 to 24 months on qualifying purchases. This is a practical option for DIY projects under $5,000 where you are buying materials directly from those retailers. The limitation: store cards do not cover contractor labor or professional landscape design fees, which are typically the largest line items on any professionally executed project. The same deferred interest warning that applies to contractor financing applies here. Verify whether the offer is true 0% or deferred interest before accepting.

Contractor Financing

Many landscaping contractors offer financing through lending partners. The convenience is real, but so is the risk of deferred interest programs marketed as “0% for 18 months.” As covered in our hot tub financing guide, deferred interest means all accumulated interest is charged retroactively on the original purchase amount if any balance remains at the end of the promotional window. Always ask the contractor in writing whether the offer is a true 0% installment loan or a deferred interest arrangement.

Match Your Project Size to the Right Financing

The landscaping financing decision is more nuanced than other home improvement categories because the project range spans two orders of magnitude. Here is the explicit framework:

Projects Under $5,000: Front Yard Refresh and Basic DIY

LightStream’s minimum loan is $5,000, so projects in this range require a different solution. If you are buying materials at Home Depot or Lowe’s, a store card with 0% APR for 12 months is the simplest path provided you can pay the balance in full before the promotional period ends. If you are hiring a contractor for a small project and need a personal loan, look for lenders with minimums below $5,000. Avoid taking a $5,000 LightStream loan for a $3,000 project just to meet the minimum. You would be paying interest on money you do not need.

Projects Between $5,000 and $30,000: Backyard Update and Standard Hardscaping

A personal loan is almost always the right choice in this range. Home equity products carry $2,000 to $5,000 in closing costs that make them economically inefficient at these project sizes. LightStream covers this range with same-day funding and zero fees. A $20,000 personal loan at 8% APR over five years costs $405 per month and $4,323 in total interest: transparent, predictable, and with no lien on your property.

Projects Between $30,000 and $100,000: Full Renovation and Outdoor Living

Personal loans still work well through this range via LightStream, which extends up to $100,000. A HELOC becomes worth evaluating if you have significant equity and want a longer repayment window at a lower rate. The comparison to make is total cost over the full term: personal loan total interest vs. HELOC total interest plus closing costs. The personal loan often wins on total cost at the lower end of this range; the HELOC may win on monthly payment at the higher end with a longer term.

Projects Above $100,000: Luxury Outdoor and Combined Projects

Above LightStream’s $100,000 maximum, a HELOC or home equity loan is the natural path. Combined projects that include a pool alongside a full landscape transformation are the most common use case here. See our swimming pool financing guide for how to structure combined budgets and when to use a single HELOC versus separate products for each component.

Is LightStream Right for Your Landscaping Project?

When LightStream Makes Sense

• Project budget of $5,000 to $100,000, covering the full range of mid-scale to luxury landscaping projects
• Credit score of 670 or higher, with the best rates at 720 and above
• You want same-day funding: apply by 2:30 p.m. ET and complete verification to receive funds the same business day, letting you pay your contractor deposit immediately
• You prefer not to use home equity as collateral: fully unsecured, no lien on your property
• You want to finance the complete project: LightStream proceeds can cover plants, contractor labor, hardscaping, irrigation, outdoor lighting, decking, outdoor kitchen, fencing, and drainage
• You want rate certainty: fixed APR, zero fees, no prepayment penalty

When LightStream May Not Be the Best Fit

• Project under $5,000: LightStream’s minimum loan is $5,000; store cards or smaller-minimum lenders are better suited
• Project above $100,000: LightStream’s maximum is $100,000; HELOC is the appropriate path above that threshold
• Credit score below 670: LightStream serves good-to-excellent credit; other lenders serve a broader range at higher rates
• You want a tax deduction on interest: personal loan interest is not tax deductible; home equity loan interest may be, if the project qualifies as a capital improvement. This is a genuine advantage of home equity products that LightStream cannot match
• You want to prequalify without a hard credit pull: LightStream does not offer a soft-pull prequalification on its direct site; confirm your credit is in the qualifying range before applying

What Can a Landscape Loan Be Used For?

This is one of the most common questions buyers have before applying. Personal loans, unlike some contractor-specific programs, have no restrictions on how you use the funds within your landscaping project. A LightStream landscape loan can cover:

• Contractor and landscape designer labor
• Plants, trees, shrubs, sod, and perennial beds
• Hardscaping: pavers, retaining walls, walkways, patios, and stone features
• Deck and wood structures
• Irrigation and sprinkler systems
• Outdoor lighting and electrical work
• Outdoor kitchen, grill station, and fire pit
• Fencing and privacy screens
• Drainage systems and grading
• Permits and design fees

What landscape loans do not cover: ongoing maintenance services like monthly mowing contracts, recurring fertilization programs, or personal lawn care equipment purchased for your own use. Landscape financing is for capital projects, not recurring operating costs.

How to Qualify for a Landscape Loan

For a personal loan from LightStream or a comparable lender, underwriters evaluate the following:

• Credit score: Good to excellent required for LightStream. Most approvals come from borrowers at 670 and above, with the best rates at 720 and above.
• Income verification: Required. LightStream reviews income and employment stability as part of the application.
• Debt-to-income ratio: Generally below 43%. Your total monthly debt obligations relative to gross income determine repayment capacity.
• Credit history depth: LightStream looks for multiple account types managed over several years with a strong on-time payment record.
• U.S. residency: Must be 18 or older with a valid SSN.

Practical tip: Get your loan approved before finalizing your contractor agreement. Confirmed financing tells the contractor your budget is real, eliminates pressure to accept contractor-arranged financing, and may give you negotiating leverage on project pricing. Knowing your loan amount in advance also helps scope the project accurately from the start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a loan for landscaping without home equity?
Yes. Personal loans are fully unsecured, meaning no equity is required and no lien is placed on your property. LightStream by Truist offers landscape loans from $5,000 to $100,000 with no home equity requirement, no appraisal, and same-day funding for qualified applicants. This makes personal loans the most accessible landscape financing option for homeowners who are earlier in their mortgage, have limited equity, or simply prefer not to use their home as collateral for an outdoor project.

What credit score do I need for a landscaping loan?
For a competitive personal loan rate from a lender like LightStream, good-to-excellent credit is required, generally a score of 670 or higher, with the best rates at 720 and above. Home equity loans are available with scores as low as 620 from most lenders, though rates are meaningfully higher below 700. Store card programs like Home Depot’s consumer credit have broader credit acceptance but are most useful for small DIY purchases, not full professional projects.

Does landscaping increase home value?
Yes. According to the NAR and NALP Remodeling Impact Report, standard lawn care service returns 217% of its cost at resale, landscape maintenance returns 104%, and a full landscape upgrade returns approximately 100%. The American Society of Landscape Architects estimates that well-executed landscaping can increase a home’s resale value by 10% to 30%. These returns are strongest for curb appeal projects and basic maintenance; large custom features like outdoor kitchens and fire pits return 50% to 70% in most markets.

Does LightStream offer landscape financing?
Yes. LightStream by Truist offers landscape financing with loans from $5,000 to $100,000, fixed APRs starting at 6.49% with AutoPay for excellent credit borrowers, zero fees, and same-day funding. Proceeds can be used for the full scope of a landscaping project including contractor labor, hardscaping, plants, irrigation, lighting, decking, and outdoor kitchen components. See our full LightStream by Truist review for current rates and qualification details.

How fast can I get funded for a landscaping loan?
LightStream offers same-day funding for applicants who apply and complete verification by 2:30 p.m. ET on a business day. Most personal loan lenders fund within one to three business days. Home equity loans and HELOCs require two to six weeks for appraisal and underwriting. If your contractor has a deposit deadline or a start date on the schedule, a personal loan is almost always the fastest confirmed path to funding.

What can a landscape loan be used for?
A personal landscape loan can cover: contractor and designer labor, plants and trees, hardscaping (pavers, retaining walls, walkways, patios), decking, irrigation and sprinkler systems, outdoor lighting, outdoor kitchen and fire features, fencing, drainage systems, grading, permits, and design fees. Personal loans do not cover ongoing maintenance contracts (monthly mowing, fertilization programs) or personal lawn care equipment purchased for your own use.

How much does a backyard renovation cost?
A basic backyard update with a patio, basic plantings, and irrigation typically runs $5,000 to $15,000. A full backyard renovation with hardscaping, retaining walls, a deck, and an outdoor kitchen typically costs $15,000 to $50,000. A luxury outdoor living transformation including a pool, custom stonework, and a complete outdoor room can reach $75,000 to $150,000 or more depending on market and scope. According to Angi, the national average for professional landscaping projects is $3,517, though that figure reflects a wide range from basic DIY to premium professional work.

Is it worth financing landscaping?
For most homeowners, yes. The ROI data from NAR and NALP consistently shows that basic landscaping maintenance and well-scoped upgrades return 100% or more of their cost at resale, which means financing a landscaping project at 7% to 9% APR over five years often costs less in interest than the value the project adds to your home. The financial case is strongest for front yard curb appeal projects and standard maintenance, where returns are highest. The case is weaker for high-end custom features (outdoor kitchens, luxury fire features) where resale returns are lower and the value is primarily in personal enjoyment.