Purchase a Landscaping Plan for Your New Construction Project

When building a new home, it’s easy to focus on the house itself and let landscaping become an afterthought. But landscaping is more than just decoration — it’s an essential part of your home’s functionality, beauty, and value. That’s why at Amy Dutton Unfold and Amy Dutton Home, we encourage homeowners to include a landscaping plan and plant list from the very beginning.

Why Landscaping Plans Matter

A well-thought-out landscaping plan provides more than just curb appeal. It affects excavation, budgeting, and even how your home interacts with its site. Here are some of the key reasons to invest in one:

Excavation and civil engineering. During excavation, a landscaping plan helps identify good fill locations, grade heights for retaining walls, and opportunities for walk-out basements.
Placement of septic and wells. Without a plan, contractors will often put them in the easiest location, which may not be the most functional or attractive for your property.
Accurate budgeting. Your contractor can give you a more realistic project estimate when they know your exterior goals from the start.
Phase-one completion. Without a plan, landscaping often gets pushed aside. Having one ensures that you can tackle it in phases if needed.
Seasonal timing. In New England, for example, planting must wait until spring if the ground freezes. Planning early helps you stay ahead of the seasons.

To me, nothing finishes a house more beautifully than landscaping. A foundation without plantings looks incomplete, while even simple, easy-to-install designs can transform a house into a home.

When to Start the Landscaping Plan

The best time to begin is during excavation. This is when the framework for your pathways, drainage, and plantings can be thoughtfully designed alongside the home’s construction.

Pathways. Consider how you’ll enter and exit from every door. Pathways should be natural in material and biomorphic in shape for a cohesive, organic look.
Drip edge. Around the house, include a gravel edge that extends at least six inches beyond the overhang. This not only manages rainwater but also creates room for plantings to thrive.
Layering plantings. Mix textures, colors, and heights to create year-round visual interest. Winter-friendly plants like grasses, junipers, azaleas, and rhododendrons help avoid the “naked foundation” look. Evergreens can establish a vibrant winter garden.
Seasonal color. Add annuals for bursts of color in spring and summer, then replant with Mums in the fall for seasonal variety.

By planning your foundation plantings, decks, patios, and outdoor living spaces as excavation happens, you’ll have a clear vision for how your home will function both inside and out.

The Big Picture

Your landscaping should reflect the same care and attention that went into your home’s design. A thoughtful plan ensures that your outdoor space supports your lifestyle, complements your architecture, and evolves with the seasons. With a landscaping plan in hand, you and your contractor can stay ahead of scheduling challenges, budget surprises, and design compromises.

In the end, landscaping is what makes a house feel complete. By investing in a plan early, you’ll create a cohesive, beautiful home environment that you can enjoy for decades.