No, all that is reserved for the outside. You don’t need to deal with a flat lawn, either. You can completely transform your back and front yards into something absolutely spectacular. You don’t even need to break to do it.
So long as you’re patient, have a clear idea, and know when to DIY it and when to go pro, you can have an amazing, completely revamped outdoor space before you know it.
Use Digital Tools to Create a Robust Visual Mock-up
When it comes to bringing your ideas to life, always use design tools. It’s hard to verbally convey the full impact of what you want without visuals to back you up.
With even free tools, you can better convey what you want to the pros so that you can get exactly what you want the first time around.
Plan in Projects if You Can’t Afford the Full Design at Once
If you got the quote for the full project and can’t afford it, split up the full project into smaller, bite-size options. You can get your patio done first, for example, and then start adding planters and other easy gardening projects yourself while you save up for a second big project.
There’s no rule that things have to be done all at once. Waiting helps you save and can actually help you design better by giving you time to think about what you want.
Before you start any yard n’ garden landscaping – such as a swimming pool, patio kitchen, and other backyard landscaping, run some financial numbers to determine whether the landscaping is a smart investment.
The numbers include the estimated costs, home value assessment, financing costs, and other related calculations.
Review these cost-related issues to remodeling vs. buying a new home.
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| analyze the numbers | |
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The 2nd step for planning your landscaping is deciding what you would like to do.
Will it be a –
- installing a swimming pool,
- building a play area with courts, playground, and other,
- redo your landscaping,
- build a deck or patio,
- install an outdoor kitchen and bar,
- start your own farm,
- or something else by referencing this extensive landscape planning and design guide.
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Step 3 is sketching your ideas on paper (or digitally) and developing the spec plan.
The spec plan determines what type of yard n’ garden equipment and design considerations that will be needed. It will also contain the product specifications for each landscape element.
You will use the spec plan and architectural design to bid the project out to a contractor.
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| developing the spec plan | |
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| design considerations |
Step 4 is finding and negotiating the contract with a landscape contractor.
Give your landscaping ideas and specs to a contractor for review and bid analysis. Use the local network (aligned with HomeAdvisor) to find the right contractor for your project.
Review guides for contractor selection and negotiation.
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| search yard n’ garden contractors | |
| selecting your contractor checklist |
| contractor negotiations | |
| contractor evaluation form |
Step 5 is arranging financing once you selected the contractor and finalized the contract for your project.
Using the equity value in your home is one of the best financing option for landscaping. Start with a home equity line of credit or use the bank equity program.
Other options may include cash-out refinancing, personal savings, and/or financing from home improvement contractors.
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| financing options | |
| getting qualified for financing | |
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Step 6 is where the project begins.
It starts with setting up the work area, removing everything that needs to be replaced, installing electrical and network connections, putting in the final touches, etc.
It also means working with the contractor, managing the project, and getting the landscape project inspected before releasing any funds.
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When to Use Professionals and When to DIY It
There are some elements of your outdoor design that can absolutely be done by yourself. Using planters, for example, is a great way to add art and design and even elevate your garden design by adding vertical interest to your garden.
You can train roses and other flowers into arches and around other garden pieces. All of these are actually better done yourself since it takes time and not a lot of hard skills or effort.
Completely digging up your backyard, creating plant beds, or installing a patio? That’s better left to the pros. One, because they’ll get the job done faster and to a safe standard.
Two, they can access wholesale deals on supplies from dealers like FIS Outdoor. Paying consumer prices for a massive amount of soil or mulch can actually end up costing the same, if not more than, hiring pros to do the work on your behalf.
The Virtue of Patience When it Comes to Outdoor Spaces
When it comes to any living aspect of your backyard design, patience is the most important virtue. Yes, choosing the right plants that grow together in harmony rather than compete for space is essential. Buying those plants full-sized, however, is very expensive.
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It’s also a risk since more mature plants are less happy to be replanted than younger ones. What this means is that you can end up spending more, only for the tree to die before it really has a chance to shine.
That’s why patience is so important. You can save massively on plants by buying small and growing them.
You can also add more as time goes on and wait for plants to go on sale or for the right season. Markets, in particular, can be a great place to get amazing deals on flowers and plants alike.
Find Landscaping/Maintenance Landscape Design Landscape Maintenance Pest Control Sprinkler Systems Tree & Shrubs Water Features top-rated, pre-screened local contractors FREE: download contractor selection enter zip code – powered by HomeAdvisor ™
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