How to Finance Landscaping Projects With Loans [2024 Rates and Lenders]

Some of the most practical landscaping loans may include personal loans, cash advances, home equity loans, or home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). These loans are flexible in terms of how you can spend the funds, and their interest rates are often lower than credit cards.

Deciding which one might be best for your landscaping project requires considering how long it will take to complete, overall costs, and loan terms. We’ll provide more details on these loans to help you make an informed decision before starting your project.

Table of Contents

1. 4 options for landscaping loans 
   1. Personal loans
   2. Cash advance
   3. HELOC
   4. Home equity loan
2. Alternatives to a loan to finance a landscaping project 

4 options for landscaping loans 

Deciding whether a personal loan, cash advance, HELOC, home equity loan—or another type of loan, for that matter—is the best landscaping loan for your project will depend on how straightforward your landscaping project is, how much you’ll need to borrow, and how fast you can pay it off.

Below, we’ll explain how much you can borrow with these landscaping loans and when it may be best to use each one.

Loan option	Loan amounts	Best for
Personal loan	$1,000 – $50,000	Moderate projects for homeowners with little to no equity
Cash advance	Up to $1,000	Minor DIY projects
HELOC	Up to 85% of your equity	Unpredictable or future additional costs
Home equity loan	Up to 85% equity	Large one-time expenses

If I’m working with a client who’s determining how to pay for a landscaping project, I recommend that they consider near-term expenses where they may need their cash savings for these costs. If they don’t have a near-term expense and can maintain a reasonable cash reserve while funding the landscaping project, I would recommend they use their cash reserves and make a plan to replenish the spent savings. 

If their cash reserves need to remain intact, I suggest comparing interest rates on personal loans to HELOCs. 

 Also, will they plan to do additional projects? If so, the HELOC would be a good option for them to draw on as needed. If this is a smaller-cost, one-time project, they may want to consider a personal loan. Of course, we’d also want to evaluate their credit profile and budget before making a decision.

Erin Kinkade, CFP®

Personal loans for landscaping projects

Personal loans are loans you can take out as a lump sum. They’re unsecured loans, meaning your personal property doesn’t act as collateral, and you can use funds for almost anything. 

These loans tend to be available to borrowers with good credit, but those with lower credit scores may have options. If you have good credit—a FICO score of 670 or better—you’re more likely to get approved for a personal loan and to lock in more favorable interest rates.

Personal loan terms typically last up to seven years. While lenders may offer longer terms, a term of seven years or less could be a solid option if you expect a moderate landscaping project and want to pay it off in under a decade.

Below is a list of the personal loan lenders we’d recommend. Some of these lenders offer higher amounts and lower starting rates than many other personal loans. Check out our extensive reviews of the best personal loans for more.

Cash advance for a landscaping project

Cash advance apps, which you can download from Google Play or the Apple App Store, allow users to access a portion of their paycheck early, usually for a fee. They can be a convenient way to get fast cash and avoid a credit check that could affect your credit score.

But advance cash is generally limited to $1,000 or less for many apps—around $500 to $750. If you’re looking for more, one of the other options listed is likely better for you.

Now, if you’re ready to knock out a quick, inexpensive DIY project over the weekend, such as a new garden bed or building a bird feeder, these apps may be the way to go. 

The cash advance apps we recommend, which you can compare in our reviews, are listed below. 

HELOC for landscaping

A HELOC is a type of revolving loan. It’s similar to a credit card but often without sky-high interest rates. Borrowing limits depend on how much home equity you have, which is your home’s current value minus how much you owe. Lenders often refer to this as the loan-to-value ratio (LTV). 

Most lenders allow borrowers access to as much as 85% of the LTV ratio. A homeowner with a house worth $400,000 and a $200,000 mortgage balance might be eligible to borrow up to $170,000. 

$400,000 – $200,000 = $200,000

$200,000 x 85% = $170,000

As you make payments, the funds you borrow become available once again. Just like with a credit card, if your HELOC opens at $50,000 and you borrow $10,000, you have $40,000 left to spend. However, if you repay $7,500, you can access $47,500.

HELOCs can be an excellent landscaping loan for homeowners with at least 20% equity, good credit, and a project that may require costs to be spread out over time. For example, a complete backyard overhaul may require the work to be done in stages:

• Stage 1: Remove landscaping and then level the ground
• Stage 2: Add soil or grass
• Stage 3: Plant new flowers and trees

Many HELOCs come with variable interest rates and a 30-year term. The draw period, the window in which you can borrow money, is usually about 10 years. During this period, you make interest-only payments and, for the remaining 20 years, repay the principal and interest.

Design experts say most people will underestimate these kinds of costs. So, if you haven’t gotten estimates, do a little more homework and planning before exploring HELOCs. 

Below is a list of our top-rated HELOC lenders. Find out more about them in our in-depth reviews before applying. 

Home equity loan for landscaping

Similar to HELOCs, home equity loans rely on your home equity. Most lenders also allow borrowers with at least 20% equity to access up to 85% of the LTV. These loans also typically offer a 30-year term but with fixed rates.

A home equity loan might be the best landscaping loan option if you have good credit, own at least 20% equity, and know how much your project will cost. These loans may also be ideal for homeowners who want fixed monthly payments and as much time as possible to repay.

Home equity loans and HELOCs act as a second mortgage, so you could risk foreclosure if you fall behind on payments. Consider other options if you have a tight budget and can’t afford another payment.

Considering a home equity loan? We recommend checking out our full reviews of our top-rated lenders below.

When determining whether it makes sense to use a home equity loan or HELOC for landscaping, I recommend considering the purpose of the project.

if it is something that will provide safety, such as removing dead trees or shrubbery, I am more likely to advise the client to use a HELOC or home equity loan. Ideally, if it is non-essential, I recommend using cash savings, or I’ll help them create a savings plan to fund their goal.

Erin Kinkade, CFP®

Alternatives to a loan to finance a landscaping project 

If you’re hesitant about taking on a loan for your landscaping project, several alternatives might better suit your financial situation, project type, or personal preferences. Here’s a look at a few popular options:

Cash savings

Using cash savings is often the most straightforward and financially sound way to finance a landscaping project. Paying from your savings means you won’t accrue interest or additional fees, making this option ideal for small to medium-sized projects where costs are manageable. 

Cash savings might be the best fit if:

• Project size: The project is small, such as planting a few new shrubs or building a simple garden bed.
• Borrower profile: You prefer to avoid debt and have the cash available.
• Amount: You can cover the cost with savings.

Landscaping company financing

Many landscaping companies offer their own financing plans, allowing customers to pay for the cost of services over time. This option can be convenient because the company handles the project and the financing. 

Landscaping company financing might be ideal if:

• Project size: You’re planning a larger project, such as installing a patio, pool, or complete garden overhaul.
• Borrower profile: You want to work with a professional landscaper and prefer to keep financing and project management with one provider.
• Amount: You need a moderate to large amount but prefer fixed payments, potentially at lower rates than traditional loans.

Store financing or retail credit

For those who enjoy DIY landscaping, store financing options, such as a Home Depot or Lowe’s credit card, can be a practical solution. These retail cards often come with promotional financing, such as 0% interest if paid in full within a certain period, which can make it easier to manage payments without interest. 

This option might be best if:

• Project size: You’re handling smaller DIY landscaping updates that require materials rather than professional services.
• Borrower profile: You’re comfortable with DIY work and prefer shopping at major home improvement stores.
• Amount: The project involves minimal expenses you can pay off within promotional periods to avoid interest

Read More

Where to Find Landscaping Loans & How to Apply

How we rated the best landscaping loan options 

More about our personal loan ratings

Since 2017, LendEDU has evaluated personal loan companies to help readers find the best personal loans. Our latest analysis reviewed 1,029 data points from 49 lenders and financial institutions, with 21 data points collected from each. This information is gathered from company websites, online applications, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives.

These star ratings help us determine which companies are best for different situations. We don’t believe two companies can be the best for the same purpose, so we only show each best-for designation once.

More about our cash advance ratings

Since 2023, LendEDU has evaluated personal finance apps to help readers find the best cash advance solutions. Our latest analysis reviewed 180 data points from 9 apps and financial institutions, with 20 data points collected from each. This information is gathered from company websites, online applications, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives.

These star ratings help us determine which companies are best for different situations. We don’t believe two companies can be the best for the same purpose, so we only show each best-for designation once.

More about our home equity ratings

Since 2018, LendEDU has evaluated home equity companies to help readers find the best home equity loans and HELOCs. Our latest analysis reviewed 850 data points from 34 lenders and financial institutions, with 25 data points collected from each. This information is gathered from company websites, online applications, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives.

These star ratings help us determine which companies are best for different situations. We don’t believe two companies can be the best for the same purpose, so we only show each best-for designation once.

Recap of the best loan options to finance landscaping projects

Loan option	Best for
Personal loan	Homeowners with moderate projects and little to no equity	Our recommendations
Cash advance	Minor DIY projects	Our recommendations
HELOC	Unpredictable or future additional costs	Our recommendations
Home equity loan	Large one-time project expenses	Our recommendations