If your budget is tight, it does not mean you cannot have the backyard renovations that you want. Budget backyard renovations can transform your backyard into the oasis you want while staying comfortably within your budget.
Budget backyard renovations not only can expand your living space, it can add immediate value to your home. Renovating your backyard is easier and less expensive than you think. Follow these tips for budget backyard renovations, and you will be enjoying your backyard before you know it.
Before You Get Started on the Budget Backyard Renovations Do This
It is always important to set a budget for your backyard renovation project, but especially important when you are working on a tight budget. Taking the time to plan and write down everything you want to get done for the yard will help you to make informed decisions as you move forward with the project.
One of the easiest ways to make sure that your backyard renovation stays on the budget is to manage the project at a slow and steady pace. For example, having the deck and patio builders come one month than having the custom fence installation done down the road will ensure that you break up the cost over time.
Planning every step of the project can help you to take a closer look at what you want and what you need. Certain services you absolutely will need to ensure that your project comes together, and other services you may want may not be practical right at this time.
You may want custom doors installation on the back patio to add some great aesthetics, but that may not be in the budget right now. It may be something you can do down the road once you have checked off all the needs for your backyard space.
You will need pest control to make the yard a more pleasant, safer place to be. You get the idea; some things can wait until you have more money. Some things must be a priority.
Three Things Every Backyard Needs
When you are planning your budget backyard renovations, keep in mind three things at a minimum that every backyard needs. You need a place to relax, you need a place to eat, and you need a place to play.
Designating specific areas in your backyard to eat, relax, and play will make your backyard more functional and expand your living space beautifully. If you are working with a small space, you can combine the relaxing and the eating space into one space.
Plan where you want to designate each area. Planning for each space will give you a visual of your yard’s look when it is done. It will provide you with the guidelines that you need to get each part of the project done.
Clearing Away the Debris
There are plenty of low-cost changes you can make to your backyard yourself. For example, installing a paver walkway around the gardens, maintaining, or even planting a new lawn, maintaining landscaping, or installing new landscaping.
Of course, if you will do the brunt of the work yourself, you want to make sure that you are prepared to take the work on. Plenty of homeowners have transformed their backyard space on their own with only minimal input from professionals.
The most successful home ‘do it yourselfers’ follow some basic rules to improve their backyard.
- They have a plan. The best do it yourselfers treat their DIY projects like a job. They plan for the time they are dedicating to the project, and they have a strategy. In other words, they do not treat the project like it is something they can do when they feel like it.
- They make sure they have all the equipment that they need. Ensuring that you have the tools you will need to manage the project is vital to the project’s success. If you don’t have the money to buy the tools, borrow them, or you can even rent them.
- They finish each project before they start a new one. When your backyard needs a lot of work, it can be tempting to try to get it all done at once. It is best to complete one leg of the project before you move on to the next part.
Another tip for budget backyard renovations is that starting with a ‘clean slate’ is important. When it comes to backyards, that means removing all debris, cutting back overgrown shrubbery, and getting some tree care.
It is a lot easier to start projects when the very first thing you do is clear away the clutter in your yard. Plan on spending at least a weekend removing the old stuff before you start on the new stuff. If you are going to get professional fencing services to come in and install a fence, clearing away the debris should be done before they get there.
It is equally important that you know when to get professional help. For example, if you want to have a power source outback, you may want to consult with a local electrician instead of taking this project on as a do-it-yourself project.
Sometimes doing things on a budget means paying for professional help when you need it, not to risk your property. The perfect budget backyard renovations are a combination of do-it-yourself projects and professional help.
Is Drainage A Problem?
One other thing you will want to address before you start your budget backyard renovations is to address any drainage problem issues. A lot of backyards have drainage challenges. These problems can be easily addressed and should be before you get started with any backyard renovations.
Controlling drainage issues can be as easy as redirecting the flow of the water. Digging a shallow ditch and filling it with gravel can help direct the water away from the area in the yard that you are trying to protect.
With bigger drainage problems, you may have to sink a perforated pipe. This fix is simple as well. Dig a ditch, line it with pea gravel, place the pipe, cover it with gravel. Doing this will redirect the water and keep your backyard dry.
How Can You Save On Materials?
A bulk of the cost of backyard renovations is material costs. Budget backyard renovations start with saving money on materials. If you pay less for the materials, you may have money left to get that new siding installed.
Where can you find backyard renovation materials for less? Your local home improvement store may not be the best option for material purchases. You can find better deals sometimes by going straight to a source. For example, if you need mulch for the yard, check a local mulch company and compare prices. You may be surprised to find some amazing savings.
Another place to look for materials for your budget backyard renovations is online classifieds. A lot of people sell unused materials that they have leftover from their projects. Sometimes, you can even find materials for free. Keep your eye out for advertisements on social media and other online resources to save on materials.
Renting Equipment
Don’t let not having the right equipment keep you from getting the job done. You can find equipment rentals for everything from tillers to heavy equipment to help you manage your budget backyard renovations.
Equipment rental costs are typically very affordable. There are some real positives to renting equipment, including:
- Affordability – Rental costs are usually very low.
- The agreements are very flexible. Let us say you do not get done with the equipment in the projected amount of time. A phone call will usually extend the agreement.
- No hassles. When you rent equipment, that equipment’s maintenance is not your problem. You also do not have to worry about storing the equipment, cleaning it, or repairs.
Having the right equipment for the project is vital to the project’s success, but buying the equipment you need is not the best investment. Renting it is an easy solution.
Easy Projects
Most of us would love to add some home addition renovations. A home addition renovation like a sunroom can have a huge impact, but if that is not in the budget, there are other things that you can do that will improve your backyard.
Sometimes, the simplest things can have big impacts. Adding raised garden beds can deliver a great visual in your backyard. Painting your deck and adding some hardscape features can positively impact the aesthetics of your yard.
A cumulation of easy DIY projects can be one of the best ways to manage budget backyard renovations. What you cannot put into your backyard in money, you can put into with sweat equity. Here are some easy projects that come with a big impact:
- Add a fire pit. Creating a fire pit will check off the ‘place to relax’ on your list of designated spaces. There are plenty of tutorials online that can teach you how to create a fire feature in your backyard.
- Add a water feature. If a fire pit is not your thing, add a water feature. Again, there are plenty of tutorials online that can teach you how to install your very own water feature in the backyard.
- Plant a garden. A flower garden is a great way to ramp up the look and feel of your backyard. You can plant a vegetable garden and grow your food.
Remember, before you get started on any project, you want to make sure that the yard is completely cleaned up. Adding a fire pit or water feature while the rest of the yard is overgrown and full of debris is a waster of time.
Other projects that you can do on your own low-cost create garden paths and walkways. All you need is a strong back and some pavers to create the path.
Using a little innovation can pay off. Pallets (used to ship goods around the globe) can be turned into an amazing number of things that can be used in the backyard. You can create walkways, decks, fencing, raised garden beds, and even a deck.
You can buy used pallets for a few dollars; more importantly, you may be able to find used pallets for free. People are doing some pretty amazing things with pallets. A quick search online reveals instructions for making furniture, fences, pallet gardens, and more.
Enlisting Help
If you find that you need help with your projects, ask for it. Make it a family project. Get everyone involved. Ask friends and family members to help and offer to cook a meal in return for the help. Barter your services if you cannot get friends and family to be a part of the project. For example, if you are an HVAC tech, offer your services to a contractor that handles drainage issues.
Some projects require an extra set of hands. Do not let asking for help get in your way. Get creative and find the help you need. If you live near a community college with an agricultural program, ask for students looking for an internship opportunity. You never know where you may find help.
Get Started
The biggest challenge to budget backyard renovations is getting started. It may seem a bit overwhelming in the beginning, but having a plan, and managing the project step by step, will take some of the pressure off.
As you make progress, you will feel a lot better about the situation. Seeing the changes over time can be extremely rewarding, and of course, you get the benefit of having a backyard you can feel proud of. Just make that first move, and everything will fall into place.