5 Tips for Renovating Your Backyard Patio

Here are five tips that can help you turn your outdated patio into a place your entire family (and any potential buyers) will enjoy.

1. Establish Your Priorities

Before you begin making any changes or purchasing any materials, sit down and outline your priorities. What do you want your patio to accomplish? What are your main concerns? Here are some common scenarios your renovations may fall under:

You Already Have a Patio:
Is the current patio big enough? Do you like the current patio materials? You may decide to repair cracks or simply refinish an existing patio instead of tearing it up and repaving.
You are Adding a Patio to Increase Your Home’s Value:
Adding a patio adds value no matter what materials you use. But if you can, you should spring for higher-quality materials to increase the value. Asphalt and concrete add the least value while paving stones, cobblestones, and wood add greater value.
You are Adding a Patio to Increase Your Yard’s Use Value:
If you are adding a patio for you and your family’s enjoyment, then safety and functionality should be your highest priorities. Choose a material that will last a long time with minimal maintenance like concrete or asphalt.

2. Design a Realistic Space

It’s easy to get carrying away in the planning phase when designing the perfect patio. In reality, the best patio for your home will be one that meets your needs. If you have the resources, feel free to add a stone fireplace, koi pond, and permanent outdoor lighting. But if you have to cut some of the frills to stay within budget, that may be for the best.

3. Set a Budget

Before you begin construction, it’s important to determine how much you are willing (and able) to spend on the project. In 2013, homeowners spent an average of $10,646 on their patio projects.

Approximately 19% of these projects were considered high-end. These high-end patio renovations set homeowners back an average of $31,152, while low- and mid-range projects averaged between $8,349 and $12,624 (source: Liza Hausman, Vice President of Marketing for Houzz).

However, the cost of your patio project depends on where you live, the materials you choose, and the complexity of the project. Talk to a patio professional in your area to get an estimate on your patio job.

4. Consider the Entire Space

The perfect patio will suit your needs and complement your home. Choose paving materials which accent the style of your back door and rear-facing windows. The back of your home is where you and your family (or your potential buyers) will spend most evenings.

The space should reflect your taste, be welcoming, and look unified. Choosing new windows, doors, or paving materials can create the perfect patio space for your home (source: Aurora windows and doors supplier Northern Comfort).

5. Enlist the Right Help

Unless you have experience with laying patios, you’ll want to enlist outside help. If you have family or neighbors with experience, they may be able to help with removing your old patio or transport the materials for your repairs or repaving.

However, it’s in your best interest to consult with a professional. Professional oversight can help ensure that you stay within budget, your new patio is up to code, and that no amateur mistakes (like uneven land making the patio crooked) compromise your project.

Your backyard patio can increase your home’s value, whether that’s use value or resell value. No matter why you are renovating your patio, these tips can help you keep the project within your budget and on schedule.

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