Whether you're looking to increase the resale or the aesthetic value of your property, a landscaped garden can do wonders. Edwina Stuart, senior landscape architect at Desert Group, Nazneen Sabavalla, design director at 3 Square, and Sunil N. Salwani, managing director of Royal Gardenscape, take us through the pros and cons and dos and don'ts of landscaping your property.
Landscaping is a combination of hardscaping, which deals with the structural aspect of the garden, and softscaping, which involves the greenery. Nazneen explains that a complete landscape is one that incorporates both soft and hardscaping. "Typically, hardscape work is more costly because it is labour intensive. Due to the economic downturn today, we expect a higher demand for softscaping."
While it is natural to want the most coveted garden in the neighbourhood, it is crucial to weigh your costs against potential profits. "A garden meant solely as a private retreat could be landscaped for as little as 7-10% of the original cost of the property. Installing a pool or creating a steeply contoured site that requires retaining walls or caissons, would naturally increase costs," says Nazneen.
Although the concept of adding value to a property by spending on the garden is relatively new to Dubai, Edwina suggests spending a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 30% of the value of the property on its outdoor surroundings.
"For example, the average cost of a villa in 2008 was Dh4 million; 10% of that amount would be enough to create a stunning outdoor area that might up the value of your property by 20%."
As most people look at the surroundings of a home at the time of purchase, a beautifully landscaped piece of land can influence a potential buyer more than a property with minimal or no landscaping, adds Nazneen. "From a monetary standpoint, landscaping can add 10-15% to the value of the property."
Nazneen and Edwina say the most popular garden features in the UAE are entertainment-related. "Most clients request large lawns for entertainment, along with elements that provide shade, soothing water sounds, barbecue areas and pools."
Sunil, meanwhile, says water features are the most popular. "A cascading waterfall, a majestic lion-mask wall spout or a grand Roman three-tiered fountain within your landscape creates a dramatic visual impact."
Despite the consensus that landscaping is a must, the preferred methods vary. Sunil believes in the DIY approach. "Working hands-on in the garden provides a creative hobby and avoids the expense of hiring help. An easy-to-install feature such as pre-designed walling blocks make for a simple and effective solution to a quick garden makeover," he says. On the other end of the spectrum is Edwina. "It's easier to allow one company to handle all your needs," she says. "Upfront, it might seem more expensive, but in the long run, it makes economic sense."
While most landscaping firms in Dubai get the occasional request to work on leased properties, the bulk of the demand comes from homeowners. "With freehold homes, owners are more willing to invest in landscaping products and give greater importance to decorating the garden as a whole," says Sunil.
As property prices have plummeted in the last six months, are homeowners reluctant to invest in landscaping during a downturn? "The past few months were bad," admits Edwina. "However, it appears as though people are ready to spend again." Nazneen adds that while demand has dropped 15-20% from last year, people are regaining their confidence in the economy. On the other extreme is Sunil, who says the downturn hasn't made any difference to demand.
Safety features are best introduced at the early stages of the design process. "Fencing hidden in planting and self-closing gates with latches above five inches go a long way in providing a measure of security for the parents of young children and those with pets. Care should also be taken in specifying plant material that is not poisonous and does not cause skin irritation," says Nazneen.
"It's the in thing today," says Nazneen. Fortunately, being eco-friendly is easy. "Sustainability can be achieved on many levels," she says. For those who want to go green on a low budget, "simple concepts such as using native plants, reclaimed hardscape materials, less lawn, low water-use plans and mulch can benefit a garden without creating a huge added expense," she says. "For clients with a bigger budget, we'd suggest using grey-water for irrigation and underground water storage cisterns."
With the cloud of financial insecurity looming large, it's better to redo an existing space than buy a new one, says Sunil. "Not only does renovation boost the property's value, it makes staying at home pleasureable." Nazneen's advice would be to start small. "This will help with the budget and also help plants to acclimatise to your garden. Look for salvaged material such as reclaimed lumber and unfinished concrete to add warmth and character without the added expense." For a basic landscaping job at the Meadows, Edwina predicts an average price tag of Dh100,000. "Realistically, a client who wants a very simple design could get away with a budget of Dh50,000. For anything else, the cost would be anywhere from Dh100,000 to Dh5 million," she says.
"Basic landscape refers to grass cover, peripheral shrubbery and trees, outdoor decking, barbeque area, water feature and a pergola or gazebo. A typical 1,000ft² garden with basic landscaping would cost anything between Dh60-80,000," says Nazneen.
"A perfect landscape has all the elements in harmony with each other as well as with the house they enclose," says Sunil. "First decide which area requires paving (necessary for walkways and seating areas). Next, walling and edging features need to be decided so areas of planting can be demarcated from the pathways. With the basic framework in place, add greenery to fill in the space. Finally, use ornaments for the finishing touch."
