What Does a Backyard Remodel Cost? Save With Project Phases

Wondering how much a backyard remodel costs? The answer often depends on how you break down your project into manageable stages. This approach, called “phasing,” helps make your outdoor landscape design renovation more affordable by spreading costs over time. Instead of tackling everything at once, phasing lets you create a master plan for your dream backyard and then build it step by step as your budget allows, with expert guidance from Werbrich Custom Outdoor Living.

Factors Affecting Backyard Remodel Costs

Understanding the factors that impact backyard remodeling costs is key for creating an accurate budget. While costs can vary significantly based on location, materials, and design choices, several key factors will impact your project’s final cost.

Size and Scope of the Project

The square footage of your yard and the extent of the remodel significantly impact overall costs.

Total Square Footage: Larger yards naturally require more materials and labor. The cost per square foot varies based on the complexity of work and chosen materials. More yard means more softscaping and hardscaping.
Project Complexity: Simple refreshes cost less than complete overhauls. Adding multiple features or requiring extensive grading will increase costs substantially.
Existing Condition: Yards requiring demolition, debris removal, or extensive preparation work will incur additional costs. The condition of your current space greatly influences initial preparation expenses.

Hardscaping Elements

Hardscaping often represents the largest portion of a backyard remodel budget.

Patio Installation: Costs vary significantly based on material choice, with options ranging from basic concrete to premium natural stone.
Retaining Walls: Price depends on wall height, material selection, and engineering requirements.
Walkways and Paths: Material choice and design complexity are the main cost factors, with natural stone typically being more expensive than concrete options.
Fencing: Cost factors include material selection (wood, vinyl, metal, etc.), height, length, and any decorative elements or special features. Fencing installation costs vary widely, from affordable chain-link to more expensive wrought iron designs, based on style and functionality.

Landscaping and Plant Materials

Living elements of your backyard require careful budget consideration.

Sod Installation: Cost varies by yard size and soil preparation requirements.
Trees: Price depends on tree size, species, and maturity level at installation.
Plants and Shrubs: Costs vary based on size, variety, and quantity needed for your design.
Seasonal Color Planning: The complexity of incorporating year-round blooming plants and seasonal rotations affects overall landscaping costs.
Irrigation Systems: The size of your planted areas and type of irrigation system needed will impact both initial installation and long-term maintenance costs.

Additional Features and Amenities

Special features can significantly impact your total budget.

Outdoor Kitchen: Cost varies based on size, appliance selection, and material choices.
Fire Features: Price ranges depend on whether you choose a simple fire pit or custom fireplace.
Water Features: Cost varies based on size, complexity, and whether you choose a simple fountain or elaborate waterfall.
Landscape Lighting: Costs depend on the type of fixtures, number of zones, and complexity of the lighting design.
Pergolas and Shade Structures: Size, material choice, and design complexity influence the cost of overhead structures.

Learn about the different outdoor structures that can transform your backyard by reading our blog “Types of Outdoor Structures: Pergolas, Gazebos & More.“

Labor and Professional Services

A trusted landscape design company provides valuable professional expertise that is a big part of your overall project cost.

Design Fees: Landscape architects typically charge based on project scope and complexity.
Labor Costs: Installation labor usually accounts for a significant portion of the total project budget.
Project Management: Professional oversight ensures quality but adds to the overall project cost.

Hidden Costs and Considerations

Several often-overlooked factors can affect your final budget.

Permits and Approvals: Local requirements vary, affecting both timeline and budget.
Site Preparation: Costs depend on current yard conditions and necessary improvements like grading or drainage solutions.
Utility Modifications: Adding or relocating electrical, water, or gas lines impacts overall cost.

Understanding these cost factors helps create a realistic budget and allows you to prioritize elements that matter most to your outdoor living goals. Remember that investing in quality materials and professional installation often saves money in the long run by reducing maintenance costs and extending the life of your backyard features. For specific pricing on your project, contact us for a detailed consultation that considers your unique property and design goals.

Paver Patio stone steps landscape lighting

What is Phasing in Landscaping Projects?

Phasing means designing a comprehensive plan for your outdoor space and then breaking it down into manageable sections. By doing so, clients can better manage the backyard renovation cost, spreading expenses over time and making the project more affordable. This way, clients can prioritize immediate needs and add additional features as their budget allows. For example, a client might start with a patio and later add landscaping, lighting, or a fireplace.

Prioritizing Components Based on Backyard Landscaping Budget Constraints

Determining which components to prioritize can be challenging, but typically, foundational elements like a patio come first. Landscaping costs range widely depending on yard size and desired features, with complex designs significantly increasing expenses. Subsequent phases might include landscaping, lighting, or additional structures. It’s crucial to consider landscaping maintenance costs, as they represent long-term financial and time commitments. Planning these elements in advance ensures that necessary infrastructure, such as footers for a future fireplace or overhead structure, is in place from the beginning.

Importance of a Detailed Cost Breakdown and Average Landscaping Costs

Providing a detailed cost breakdown for each phase is crucial for effective budget planning. The average landscaping costs can vary significantly based on yard size, project complexity, and geographic location. It is difficult to describe the average cost of a backyard remodel, when there is so much variation from project to project. Prices can range from a few thousand to well over $100,000 depending on what your want done. For example, the installation of a simple paver patio might cost anywhere from $10-$40 a square foot, but having a pool installed might cost $80,000. So it is always best to consult with the professional and get a quote before moving forward with a project.

Clients need to know the total cost of the entire project as well as the specific costs for each phase. The national average cost for various landscaping projects, such as backyard landscaping and yard drainage system installations, can also vary significantly based on project size, complexity, and regional factors. A qualified professional can offer precise pricing for phases to be completed in the short term and provide ballpark estimates for future phases. This transparency helps clients plan their finances more effectively and avoid unexpected expenses.

Benefits of Transparent Pricing

Transparent pricing is the cornerstone of a successful landscaping project. When clients receive detailed estimates that clearly outline every aspect of the project costs, it establishes trust from the beginning.

Enhanced Trust and Confidence: Detailed cost breakdowns show clients exactly what they’re paying for, creating confidence in the contractor’s honesty and professionalism.
Informed Decision-Making: Line-item pricing allows homeowners to evaluate each component individually, helping them prioritize elements based on their needs and budget.
No Surprise Expenses: Eliminating hidden fees prevents budget overruns and maintains positive client relationships throughout the project lifecycle.
Strategic Phasing Opportunities: Comprehensive cost information enables homeowners to make smart decisions about which components to complete now versus later phases.

This level of transparency ultimately leads to more satisfied clients and smoother project execution, creating positive experiences that often result in long-term relationships with landscape professionals.

Understanding Your Outdoor Living Space

Before diving into your landscaping project, it’s important to have a good understanding of your outdoor living space. This foundational step will guide your design choices and ensure that your project is both beautiful and functional.

Assessing Your Yard’s Conditions

Assessing your yard’s conditions is the first step in any successful landscaping project. By evaluating the soil type, drainage, sunlight, and existing features, you can make informed decisions that will save money and enhance the longevity of your outdoor space.

Soil Type: Different plants thrive in different soil types. Conduct a soil test to determine whether your soil is sandy, clay, or loamy. This information will help you select plants that are well-suited to your yard’s conditions.
Drainage: Proper drainage is essential to prevent water accumulation and erosion. Observe how water flows in your yard after a rainstorm. You may need to install a drainage system or choose plants that can tolerate wet conditions.
Sunlight: The amount of sunlight your yard receives will affect the types of plants you can use. Map out areas that receive full sun, partial shade, and full shade to ensure you choose the right plants for each spot.
Existing Features: Take note of existing features such as trees, slopes, and gardens. These elements can be incorporated into your landscaping design or removed if necessary to achieve your desired look.

Measuring Your Yard’s Size

Accurate measurements are crucial for planning the scale of your landscaping project. Knowing the exact dimensions of your yard will help you create a realistic and effective design.

Measure the Length and Width: Use a tape measure or a GPS device to measure the length and width of your yard. Record these measurements to create a detailed plan.
Identify Obstacles: Take note of any obstacles such as trees, slopes, or existing gardens. These features will impact your design and need to be accounted for in your measurements.

Create a Scale Drawing: Use graph paper to create a scale drawing of your yard. This visual representation will help you plan your landscaping project more effectively and make necessary adjustments before starting the work.

Understanding your local climate is crucial for successful landscaping. This knowledge helps you choose appropriate materials and plants that will thrive in your specific environment.

Temperature Range: Document the typical temperature fluctuations throughout the year, including extreme highs and lows that could affect plant survival and material durability.
Rainfall Patterns: Research average monthly rainfall to plan proper irrigation systems and choose plants with appropriate water requirements.
Wind Exposure: Identify prevailing wind directions and areas of high wind exposure, which can impact plant selection and structural element placement.
Frost Lines: Know your area’s frost line depth for proper foundation planning and plant protection strategies.

Evaluating Property Lines and Restrictions

Before planning any outdoor project, it’s essential to understand your property’s legal boundaries and limitations.

Property Boundaries: Obtain official property surveys to confirm exact boundary lines and prevent encroachment issues.
Setback Requirements: Research local zoning laws regarding minimum distances from property lines for structures and features.
HOA Regulations: Review any homeowners association guidelines that might restrict design choices or require approval.
Utility Lines: Locate underground utilities and overhead power lines that could affect construction and plant placement.

Assessing Traffic Flow and Usage Patterns

Understanding how people move through and use your outdoor space is crucial for functional design.

Entry and Exit Points: Map out all access points to your yard, including gates, doors, and pathways.
Activity Zones: Identify areas for different activities like dining, recreation, or quiet relaxation.
Privacy Needs: Consider sightlines from neighboring properties and street views that might require screening.
Maintenance Access: Plan for equipment access needed for lawn care and future maintenance.

Environmental Considerations

Taking environmental factors into account ensures a sustainable and eco-friendly outdoor space.

Wildlife Impact: Consider local wildlife patterns and how your landscape might affect or benefit native species.
Water Conservation: Evaluate opportunities for rainwater harvesting and water-efficient design.
Native Ecosystem: Research native plants and natural habitat features that could be incorporated into your design.
Microclimate Effects: Identify areas where buildings or landscape features create unique environmental conditions.

By taking the time to thoroughly consider these factors of your outdoor living space – from physical conditions and measurements to climate patterns, property restrictions, traffic flow, and environmental considerations – you’ll build a strong foundation for your landscaping project. This comprehensive understanding not only helps prevent costly mistakes and delays but also ensures that your final design will be both beautiful and practical, perfectly suited to your property’s unique characteristics and your family’s lifestyle needs. Remember that professional landscapers and designers can help you evaluate these elements if you’re unsure about any aspect of your assessment

Developing a Realistic Timeline

Creating a realistic timeline for each phase is vital to ensure smooth progress and maintain quality. Planning a landscape project timeline is crucial to account for all necessary steps and potential challenges. We work closely with clients to develop a timeline that aligns with their goals and accommodates any constraints. A landscape architect plays a key role in ensuring timely project completion by coordinating various aspects and managing complex tasks. This careful planning helps avoid delays and ensures that each phase is completed to the highest standards.

Designing Your Outdoor Space

Designing your outdoor space is an exciting step that brings your landscaping vision to life. A well-thought-out design can increase your home’s value, improve your quality of life, and provide a beautiful area for relaxation and entertainment.

Elements of Landscape Design

When designing your outdoor space, consider the following elements of landscape design to create a cohesive and visually appealing environment:

Color: Choose plants and materials that complement each other in terms of color. A harmonious color palette can create a unified look and enhance the beauty of your outdoor space.
Texture: Mix different textures such as smooth, rough, and soft to add visual interest. Combining various textures in plants, hardscapes, and furniture can make your outdoor space more dynamic and engaging.
Form: Use plants and features with different shapes and forms to create a visually appealing design. Incorporating a variety of forms can add depth and dimension to your landscape.
Line: Use lines to create a sense of direction and flow in your outdoor space. Pathways, garden beds, and borders can guide the eye and lead visitors through your landscape.
Space: Balance open spaces with features such as plants, patios, and walkways to create a sense of harmony. Proper spacing ensures that your outdoor area feels neither too crowded nor too sparse.

By thoughtfully considering these elements, you can design an outdoor space that meets your needs, enhances your home’s value, and provides a beautiful setting for outdoor living.

Discover which outdoor furniture materials will last longest and look best in your new backyard by checking out our guide “Best Outdoor Furniture Materials to Elevate Your Space.“

Selecting Materials and Features with a Landscape Architect for Future Phases

To minimize disruptions and additional costs, we advise clients to select all materials upfront, even if they don’t plan to install a particular phase immediately. This strategic approach offers several significant advantages:

Material Consistency: Manufacturers frequently update their product lines, discontinuing certain colors, textures, or designs. By selecting all materials early, you ensure consistent availability throughout your long-term project, avoiding the frustration of discontinued products during later phases.
Cost Efficiency: Securing material specifications early allows for more accurate long-term budgeting. It also creates opportunities to purchase materials in bulk when advantageous pricing becomes available, or to take advantage of seasonal promotions.
Cohesive Design: When materials are chosen holistically at the outset, different phases will blend seamlessly together once completed. This prevents the disjointed appearance that can occur when material selections are made independently for each phase.
Infrastructure Planning: Knowing the full scope of materials allows for proper installation of underground utilities, drainage systems, and structural footings during initial phases, eliminating costly retrofitting later.
Reduced Decision Fatigue: Making all material decisions during the initial design phase streamlines the process and prevents decision overwhelm that can occur when selections are spread throughout multiple project phases.

By choosing materials in advance with guidance from a landscape architect, clients can achieve a cohesive look and feel for their outdoor space that appears as though it was installed as one comprehensive project, rather than in separate phases over time.

Managing Changes in Budget or Priorities

Landscape projects often need to adapt when financial situations or priorities change. When this happens, a good approach starts with looking at what can be adjusted without ruining the overall design. Simple changes like using different materials or scaling back certain features can save money while keeping the functionality you need. Sometimes, it makes sense to change the order of construction phases—doing some parts sooner and saving others for later. Throughout these changes, you should expect updated cost estimates and timelines so you know exactly what to expect. This flexible approach helps your backyard project evolve with your needs while still creating the outdoor space you’ve been dreaming about.

Aligning Initial Phases with Long-Term Vision

Ensuring the initial phases align with the client’s long-term vision is paramount. We start with a detailed design that incorporates all desired elements, such as a patio, outdoor fireplace, covered structure, landscaping, lighting, outdoor bar/kitchen, or putting green. Incorporating the existing landscape features, such as trees and structures, can save costs and maintain aesthetic value. Planting trees and bushes early on can also be cost-effective, especially when considering bulk planting and the species chosen. By installing foundational components like concrete footers, drainage, and conduit sleeves in the first phase, we set the stage for seamless future construction.

Choose Werbrich

At Werbrich Custom Outdoor Living, we’ve successfully completed numerous projects using this phased approach. By designing a comprehensive plan and implementing it in stages, we help clients achieve their dream outdoor living space without overwhelming their budget. Whether it’s starting with a patio and adding landscaping and lighting later or incorporating complex features like an outdoor bar or fireplace, our phased approach ensures a smooth and satisfying journey from concept to completion. Contact us today to get your project started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are backyard renovations worth it?

Backyard renovations typically offer strong returns on investment, with well-designed outdoor spaces significantly increasing property value while enhancing lifestyle quality. The exact return varies based on project scope, local market conditions, and chosen features.

How much does it cost to even out a backyard?

The cost of leveling a backyard varies based on factors including yard size, current grade, soil conditions, and local labor rates. Additional considerations like drainage requirements and potential retaining walls can impact the final cost.

How much does a backyard designer cost?

Landscape designer fees vary based on project scope, geographic location, and the designer’s experience level. Most designers offer different service packages ranging from basic consultations to comprehensive design plans.

How much does it cost to repave a backyard?

Repaving costs depend on material choice, square footage, site preparation needs, and local labor rates. The final cost is influenced by factors like existing surface removal, drainage requirements, and pattern complexity.