Best Landscaping Loans

Landscaping loans can be a good solution when you don’t have the full amount you need to pay for a project upfront or when you would just prefer to split up the costs over time. According to Home Advisor, the average national cost to install landscaping is $3,362, which can be a large amount to pay at once.

But where can you find the best loan for landscaping? We’ve done the hard work for you. Our team of financial experts reviewed and ranked more than 30 online lenders to help you find those that offer the best landscaping loans. Here’s what we found.

Best Landscaping Loans of 2024

Without further adieu, after reviewing more than 30 landscaping loan lenders, here are the six that topped our list for 2024.

How to Choose the Best Landscaping Loan

Before we get into our list of the six best landscaping loans, here are the factors we considered when analyzing each lender’s offering.

• Loan features: The loan itself has to be a good fit for a landscaping project. That means you must be able to use the funds for landscaping, the loan amounts need to cover the average costs of landscaping projects, and the repayment terms should allow for affordable payments. 
• Interest rates and fees: The best landscaping loans will also have competitive interest rates and fees that make them affordable. Ideally, they won’t have origination fees and will offer competitive APR ranges.
• Application process: Lenders should make it as easy as possible for you to apply for a loan online and the process shouldn’t hurt your credit score.
• Qualification process: Every lender has a different qualification process such as requiring a minimum amount of income or a certain credit score. We check those requirements to help you find the lenders that are best suited for your situation.
• Customer support: Lenders also vary in the level and quality of customer service they provide. We look into the support channels available and how easy it is to get help when customers need it. 
• Online user reviews: You can learn a lot about a lender’s products and services by reading customer reviews on reputable sites like Trustpilot. We check how lenders rank overall based on feedback from past customers.
• Perks and bonuses: Lastly, we look into special features and perks that lenders offer, such as payment flexibility and advanced technology, which can set them apart from the competition.

After weighing these factors, we were able to identify which landscaping loans offered the most value and who they were best suited for.

What is a Landscaping Loan?

A landscaping loan is a loan that you take out to fund a landscaping project such as adding a lawn, pathways, water features, statues, or other plants to your yard. The loan can take many forms but often you’ll receive a lump sum upfront and repay it over a set term through monthly payments.

Typically, you’ll be assigned an annual percentage rate which is used to calculate the interest and fees you pay on top of the loan amount. Personal loans work well for landscaping projects because they are usually unsecured, freeing you to use the funds for whatever purchases you’d like to make.

How Much Do Landscaping Projects Cost?

There are a wide variety of landscaping projects so the costs can vary greatly. However, the national average cost to install landscaping is $3,363, with projects ranging from $250 on the low end to $12,000 on the high end. Your cost will depend on the size of the area you want to landscape, the features you want to add, the materials, you want to use, and if you hire help. You’ll need to plan your landscaping project and then itemize each step to figure out your total cost.

How to Get a Landscaping Loan

Here are the steps you should follow to get a landscaping loan:

• Check your credit: First things first, check your credit reports to see where your scores stand. You’ll want to check with Experian, Transunion, and Equifax.
• Estimate your project cost: Figure out how much you need to borrow by breaking down the components of your project and the price for each.
• Research lenders: Research lenders that provide large enough landscaping loans to borrowers with your credit score.
• Get quotes: Get quotes from three to five lenders that look like they’d be the best fit for your needs.
• Compare quotes: Compare the quotes you receive to figure out which one provides the best overall value. Be sure to consider loan amounts, APRs, fees, terms, and customer service.
• Finalize the loan: Once you’ve found the best loan, accept the offer, complete any final steps, and have the money wired to your bank account.

That’s it. Once you receive the landscape financing, you can use it to pay for your project. From there, you’ll need to make your payments according to your loan contract. If you want to save time on researching lenders, you can start with the top lenders we’ve selected above.

Landscaping Loan Alternatives

Not sure if a personal loan is the best type of loan for you? There are a few scenarios where another loan type could be a better fit. Here are the alternatives to consider:

• Home equity loan: A home equity loan, also known as a second mortgage, is a loan that is based on the amount of equity you have in your home. If you have sufficient equity, a lender will let you borrow against it and the loan will put a second lien against your house. This is a way you can liquidate your equity and invest it into landscaping. The advantages of home equity loans are that you can often borrow large amounts at low interest rates. They are also easier to get than personal loans because they are secured. The main drawback is that if you default on the loan, you can lose your house.
• Home equity line of credit (HELOC): A HELOC is similar to a home equity loan in that it is secured by the equity in your home. However, instead of receiving a lump sum loan, you receive access to a line of credit. You can use it as you need it and are only charged interest on funds you’ve withdrawn. This can be a good fit if you aren’t sure how much you will need or if you’ll need the funds in stages. You’re often given a certain period to use the credit line, such as 10 years, after which the outstanding balance is either due or converted into a term loan.
• Credit cards: Credit cards are another option for financing landscaping projects. However, you’ll need decent credit to get large credit lines and good APRs. While credit cards offer more flexibility when it comes to repayments, only requiring a minimum monthly payment, extending the repayment period will result in much higher interest costs. However, if you can get a credit card with a 0% APR introductory period, and can pay off the balance before the period ends, you could save on the interest you would pay using other loan types.
• Landscaping companies that offer financing: If you plan to hire a landscaping company, you may find that they offer financing to help you split the costs up over time. However, be sure to ask about the rates and terms to uncover any hidden costs. Things can get complicated when your landscaping and financing are coming from one source. It’s also a good idea to compare the financing offer to two or three personal loan quotes to see how it stacks up.

Personal loans are often a fast, easy, and affordable way to fund landscaping projects, but they won’t be available in all cases. If you have trouble getting approved but have home equity, you may want to consider home equity loans or lines of credit. Further, if you have great credit, you might want to look into credit cards with long interest-free introductory periods.

Conclusion

Investing in a landscaping project can bring you enjoyment for years to come, and it can help to boost your home’s market value. However, the costs can add up very quickly. By shopping around to find the best possible deal on a landscaping loan, you can cover the costs upfront and get a repayment plan that you can comfortably afford. The key is to do a little homework and comparison shop. Never take the first loan you’re offered. By applying with a few reputable lenders like the ones listed above, you’ll find a good deal in no time.