Explore our interactive Payback Calculator to determine how quickly you can recoup your landscape project costs. Simply select your city, input your lawn area to be converted, and navigate through cost assumptions to obtain an estimated payback period. Make informed decisions on sustainable lawn conversion and irrigation today.
Project cost is based on labor requirements and quality of materials. For donated materials/labor or other pricing, enter cost in field.
Permeable hardscape includes pathways and patios built with materials such as decomposed granite or pavers filled with sand/gravel.
Affects water savings and upgrade costs.
Project Cost is based on labor requirements and quality of materials, with higher costs associated with expensive materials and more labor.
Removing the existng lawn is more labor intensive (and less healthy for the environment) than sheet
mulching.
You can set your overall project complexity here, and then fine-tune individual elements of your plan.
Consider factors such as access, number and size of turf areas, permeable hardscape area, and cost to dispose of turf.
Cost includes 1/2" depth of compost.
Cost includes a mixture of plant material with of 75% coverage at maturity. Cost does not include 15-gallon or larger plants.
Based on 3" depth of mulch.
Projects with extensive design changes and/or installaon of new equipment may increase cost.
Include additional expenses not covered above such as permeable hardscape elements, water features, design fees, permits, material delivery, and special equipment rentals.
Estimate yearly savings from reduced maintenance of existing turf such as re-seeding and/or aeration.
Include estimated costs related to repairing broken windows, replacing fences due to irrigation overspray, and/or other damages that could incur from turf maintenance.
This broad category captures any indirect financial benefits of the landscaping project. Consider savings from other aspects of the project like reduced energy costs due to strategic shading, or lower pest control expenses.
If costs go down, enter as a negative percent.
Click here to see rebates available from your local water provider.
Set to 0.5 for existing lawn.
Set to 0.3 assuming water-efficient plantings.
Currently, we estimate the cost of water will increase about 4% each year.
Select your water service to see current rates:
Select whether compost will be installed as part of lawn removal. This answer affects estimated water use and will apply additional water savings. Sheet mulching assumes compost will be used.