There are different reasons why you may want to do a remodel of your backyard. Whether you are trying to maximize your space to entertain in summer or you want to add value to your home, a planned remodel of any part of your property is generally a great investment. Having an upgraded backyard space that provides you and your family health benefits is a bonus. It is important to ensure that while you are envisioning your dream backyard, you think carefully about the ways that you can save money on your backyard.
It is estimated that backyard remodel prices can cost up to $100,000. If you are looking for a modest and cost-saving backyard, this guide should help you to think of ideas to make your project easier to navigate. Keep on reading and you will find out more.
1. Choose Your Materials Carefully
Backyard remodel prices can skyrocket if you do not choose your remodeling materials carefully. Having a well-thought-out plan for your remodeling project is essential. If you want to have a realistic idea of what everything should cost you, you should consider shopping for your materials before you start. This should help you to plan your finances better and to see where you can compromise on materials. For instance, should you wish to add a building structure in your backyard, you should know what the costs of the materials for patios are nowadays.
You should also consider opting for energy-efficient and natural resources such as natural stone when you are remodeling. Backyard remodel prices for materials vary depending on your needs and the features that you wish to add. This is why you should ensure that you select affordable materials that can offer you benefits in the long run. Moreover, the type of materials that you choose can impact how much you resell your home. When you are choosing your materials, you should think of the next homeowner should you wish to sell your home in the future.
Sometimes mixing your materials should also help you to achieve an appealing feel without you feeling much of the crunch of the current backyard remodel prices.
2. Clean and Repurpose Your Clutter
The best way to cut down on your backyard remodel prices is by cleaning out your old backyard. You would be surprised to find out how much of that old clutter can be repurposed. If you are running low on ideas for materials to use, or you want to give your backyard a rustic feel, you should consider using some of your old but durable materials.
Another advantage of cleaning out your backyard before you start with the remodel is that it can give you a handle on those pesky rodents that may have found a haven in your tool shed. You should contact a rodent control service provider to exterminate your backyard. Having pests in your yard can affect your materials and cause structural damage in the long run. It is advisable to inspect any pests that may be present in your backyard or home. If you live in areas with a high probability of pest infestation issues such as termites, you should know that they can move from your backyard to your kitchen in search of food reserves.
3. Landscape Creatively
When you landscape your backyard, there are things that you should consider. For instance, the type of plants that you choose to use matter. Not only do they enhance the overall feel of your backyard, but they also determine if you will constantly call a mosquito exterminator or not. Some plants attract mosquitoes to your backyard that you should avoid using.
When selecting your landscaping plants, you should opt for functionality above aesthetics.
If you want to beat the high backyard remodel prices, you should consider using the following tips:
- Use low-cost alternatives such as compost or stone for your mulch.
- Recycle as much as you can.
- Build your fire pit.
- Plant shading trees in a strategic way.
- Incorporate affordable yet energy-efficient lighting.
If you cannot afford to buy new plants, you should think about rearranging the ones that you currently have. Mixing and matching your plants should add color and character to your backyard. Even though the purpose of your landscaping should be to reduce your backyard remodel prices, you should always ensure that you check the quality of your materials and products before you use them. Sometimes you may buy an item that is slightly expensive but find that it is cheap quality. You want to save money without compromising on quality, at all times. Your local landscapers should provide you with all the information that you can use to make sure that you use your landscape creatively.
4. Remodel with Maintenance Costs in Mind
When you are remodeling your backyard, you should think about how each renovation may impact your maintenance costs in the future. This is why you should consider staying away from materials or features that require regular maintenance. You want to save on your backyard remodel prices as much as you can. This includes thinking about how your remodel can impact your finances in the future. You want to call your local lawn care contractors as few times as possible.
The best way to achieve this is by ensuring that you add features and use materials that are easy to maintain as much as they are affordable. It is best practice to consider certain aspects of the remodel while you are planning it.
Some of the ways that you can reduce maintenance costs for your backyard maintenance are the following:
- Try to do things yourself as much as you can. For instance, if you can get away with not relying on fertilizing services, do it yourself.
- Inspect your backyard regularly to find any problems early on.
- Landscape with the different seasons in mind.
- Know which parts of your backyard require more attention.
- Have an emergency fund to cover unexpected maintenance costs.
5. Consider Doing the Remodel in Phases
If you do not mind the minor disadvantages of phasing out your remodeling project into sizable phases, you should consider the benefits that you can obtain from taking this route. You should have enough time to purposefully plan for any delays that you may encounter. Even though the overall building costs can end up being hire than doing the project in record time, your start-up costs should be substantially lower in comparison. For instance, if you are planning a patio installation, you can consider doing it in phases. This can also allow you to add any other features before the completion of your project should your finances change for the better.
To avoid the high costs of phasing out your remodel project and to keep it in line with your backyard remodel prices as set out in your budget, you should consider not delaying buying your materials and paying for any other essential things. Having adequate professionals working with you should also help you to guide the construction process by doing proper planning between each phase of the construction.
6. Remodel for the Future
If you are planning on selling your home in the future, the type of backyard that you have after you remodel matters. Doing things yourself seems like a great idea if you have the time, patience, and willingness to learn or improve your DIY skills. It also helps you to lower your backyard remodel prices by a margin. However, if you hope to sell your home in a couple of years, you should consider getting a professional to handle the major things on your behalf. For instance, if you are planning on getting some lighting installed in your backyard, you should probably get a licensed electrician to do it for you.
The following reasons are why you should consider hiring a licensed contractor instead of choosing the cheaper route which is not always the safest one.
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- They are Licensed
A licensed contractor gives you the freedom of knowing that they have the expertise and they have undergone formal training. They are also knowledgeable in the different legal processes and obligations should they do a shoddy job.
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- They Offer Insurance
Many contractors offer homeowner liability insurance. This should protect you and family members from any personal or bodily injuries, and property damage that can occur at any stage of the remodel. This insurance should cover all of your medical expenses.
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- They Meet the Legal Requirements
Having a contractor who knows how to conduct inspections should save you from a headache in the future. Your prospective buyer may request to access the records of your backyard remodel. A contractor who ensures that all the legal and federal regulations are met can provide these records. This should be beneficial to confirm that your home and backyard meet quality requirements and pass all safety requirements.
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- Renovates Systematically
You may think that this is standard practice, but not all contractors follow the same building process. If you hire someone who has the experience to build your backyard, you should find out how they plan out their process and the time that they take to build. This will help you to determine whether they have carefully planned out the process or not.
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- They Will Complete the Project
Did you know that a licensed contractor can lose their license should they run away from completing a job? This is why choosing one is advantageous for your remodel project. You can rest assured that should any issues arise during your remodel, your project will be completed no matter what.
When you are remodeling your backyard with a resale in mind, you should remember to not overcomplicate your backyard remodel prices. Keep it simple and affordable as much as you can with splurges on the most essential things.
7. Use Affordable Accents
Adding some accents to your backyard garden should be the simplest yet significant addition that you can have. The following are some ideas for accents that you can consider using when you are trying to save on a new backyard.
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- Add Furniture
Remember that clutter that you should repurpose? How about repurposing some of your old backyard furniture to add to your upgraded one? There are many DIY ideas that you can find that should help you to refurbish your old furniture. You can also purchase affordable furniture pieces that you can mix in with the old ones When you are organizing your backyard furniture accents, you should remember to use your space wisely.
Moreover, you should always consider using furniture that is made from durable materials that can withstand extreme weather conditions. This means that you should take due diligence when you are selecting your furniture. Factors such as the materials used to produce it matter. You want to use accents that will be low-cost options and that are easy to maintain in the long run.
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- Use Flower Gardens
If you have been putting off gardening for some time now, remodeling your backyard may be the most ideal time to start doing it. Flowers will add character to your backyard and provide you with some surprising health benefits. For instance, maintaining your flower garden is a great way to improve your brain functions. This is essential to help reduce the prevalence of memory loss in older adults. If you want to improve your memory, start that flower garden and add it as a central accent in your backyard.
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- Build a Fire Pit
If you have the time and patience to build something new that you can add as an accent, you should consider a fire pit. The advantage of a fire pit is the warmth that it gives you, especially during winter.
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- Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor accent lighting is an ideal addition if you are someone who enjoys entertaining in summer. Your lighting can be placed strategically to offer you comfort and security simultaneously. You should consider using eco-friendly lighting solutions and LED light fixtures. This will help you to save on your electricity bills in the long run.
The Bottom Line
Saving on a backyard remodel is a great idea. There are different things that you can do and consider as you plan your remodel to make it easier to manage. For instance, you can opt to complete the project in phases or add creative accents such as a flower garden to enhance its aesthetic. However, it is important to remodel with different possibilities in mind.
If you wish to sell your house in the future, you should be wise in how you choose your accents. For example, you should consider sacrificing a water feature like a pond to add some bbq grills. A backyard should offer you the flexibility of entertaining and comfort. How you plan your remodel can affect the result.
