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Cost to redo backyard


Backyard Renovation Cost: This Is How to Calculate It | Architectural Digest

Messner says that working with hills or slopes instead of leveling them can save cash, as can shopping for native plants. “Using aggregate materials, like gravel or decomposed granite, is a great way to save on paving costs too,” he adds.

Determining different “rooms” in your yard should help you to figure out where to spend the most money. “You may have a costly drainage issue that is a top priority, as an example, so to compensate you can play with medium price points for the hardscape,” Anne says. “Design with less expensive materials where possible, and intersperse more expensive accents throughout. This allows for a budget-conscious design without appearing that way.”

You need a design phase

As much as you might want to immediately put a shovel to work, every expert suggests following a thorough plan first. “It doesn’t cost much to edit a blueprint, compared with editing a construction site after something goes wrong,” Anne says. “With proper design, planning, and engineering, a construction project can be quite exciting, predictable, and enjoyable.” This plan will also help you narrow down what your yard can actually accommodate.

“The biggest cost drivers for outdoor renovations are pools, retaining walls, slopes, and demolition,” Lenhart notes. “It’s useful to account for the most expensive features first, and then work your way down to more cost-effective design elements. Understanding the rough cost of big ticket items like decks, retaining walls, or kitchens helps you to figure out which features will deliver the most value to you. Ideally, you want to spend your budget on features that will have the greatest impact on your design.” Yardzen makes this process a cinch with an online quiz, but an in-person pro will run you through the costs before ever breaking ground. It’s also possible to complete this project in more than one phase, which would account for seasonality and provide more time to save.

“Phasing is key,” Anne says. “For example, if the pergola you want needs to be done in phase two, then make sure you install the footings needed now under phase one.”

Spaces should have more than one use

Your design should capitalize on flexibility, particularly if you’re short on space and budget. “Design spaces that can adapt to multiple uses: Entertaining, relaxation, dining, play,” Lenhart says. “Keeping boundaries between spaces broad and open, minimizing barriers within spaces, and leaning on movable furnishings goes a long way toward achieving this.”

Don’t be shocked by the cost of nixing rocks

Removing things that don’t fit your vision can be expensive. “Clients are most often surprised by the cost of demolition, including concrete, stumps, rocks, and boulders,” Messner says. “Access to the yard and grading can also add unexpected expenses.” To help ensure that costs are accounted for as much as possible, keep a checklist. “Our firm has a series of checklists during the design, estimating, and construction phases,” Anne says. The checklist encompasses the scope of each construction bid and all of the possibilities inherent to that scope.

Anne also says that working with one design firm lessens the chance of potential miscommunications, which can lead to costly mistakes. But on the bright side, issues can often be spotted immediately. “Most aspects of landscaping projects are visible to the eye, rather than an interior wall that may contain old electrical, plumbing, or mold,” she notes.

If you invest in one thing, make it trees

Lenhart recommends investing in trees—particularly ones that are native to your area—to get the best return on your investment. “They offer a ton of functional benefits, like habitat provision, improved infiltration and soil health, and even reduced home energy expenditure,” he says. “From a design experience perspective, they’re just as valuable. Trees make key focal points, can help lengthen sight lines, define outdoor rooms, and lend purpose to awkward nooks.” They can also supply more privacy and shade in years to come.

But you don’t have to be as enthusiastic about investing in plants. “Installing fewer plants is fine,” Anne says. “If you work in enough layers, varying heights, contrast of foliage colors, and plants that will grow over time, then I would embrace the sparseness.”

The Real Costs to Build 5 Different Backyard Retreats

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Whether for your own personal enjoyment, to help your family spread out, or even if you're just thinking of increasing the value of your house, crafting a more permanent place of respite outdoors can be worth the investment it takes to do it right.

According to KV Harper, founder and principal of Kex Design + Build in New Orleans, the biggest considerations for a backyard renovation are how you plan to use it and what your budget is. The cost for a backyard remodel can vary greatly, with total spend averaging anywhere from a couple thousand dollars for basic landscaping to more than $40,000. For bigger budget projects that can creep into the $20,000 range, like adding an outdoor kitchen, consider a Discover® personal loan (which allows for flexible repayment terms for all loan amounts of 36 to 84 months) to help cover the costs.

Getting inspired? Here are a few ideas to consider.

A Low-Maintenance Retreat

“If you don't think you'll be up for much maintenance, then a design utilizing mostly hardscape would be the better option,” says Harper. This doesn’t mean turning your yard into a barren expanse of concrete, but it does mean you should avoid grass and a lot of flower beds. Instead, opt for a patio and walkway, with a few planters potted with low-maintenance grasses and shrubs.

A small DIY pathway or patio can be constructed for less than $1,000 with materials from a big box retailer. Professional installation adds $5 to $15 per square foot, and higher-end materials, such as flagstone will also bump up the cost. Pea gravel or a similar material is the most cost-efficient. “I really like crushed granite as an inexpensive hardscape that can provide a nice clean backdrop for furniture,” Harper says.

If you have children or pets and don’t want to deal with mowing the lawn, artificial turf is an option, though it can be expensive, at $5 to $20 per square foot, compared to $0.90 to $2 for sod.

Transform the Shed

Sheds are often under-utilized. Instead of using it as a place where rusty garden tools and old bicycles go to die, transform it into useful real estate. A small shed can easily accommodate an art studio, a reading lounge, a playroom, or even a daybed for overnight guests. There are literally thousands of models on the market, many designed to look like miniature houses, complete with porches.

A small shed can easily accommodate an art studio, a reading lounge, a playroom, or even a daybed.

If you aren't wiring for electricity, or concerned about climate control, the only real cost is buying a shed that comes with at least one window to let in light. These can be found at home improvement retailers and big box stores for a couple thousand dollars.

Running electricity and insulating the shed so that you can use it when the weather is hot or cold adds a few hundred dollars to the budget. The average cost of installing insulation is $0.64 - $1.19, so for a 100-square-foot shed, it would be around $120. Hiring an electrician is $50 to $100 an hour.

Create a Culinary Experience

Dining al fresco on warm evenings is the best part of summer. Adding an outdoor kitchen and dining room can be a dream come true for many home cooks, but they can be expensive, costing up to $21,000 (or much more for a luxury setup).

Maintenance and weather should be key considerations when thinking about the design. “One of the first things to consider for an outdoor kitchen is the weather,” notes Harper. “Outdoor kitchens can get hot, so you want to design to accommodate shading either naturally or with a pergola.”

Maintenance and weather should be key considerations when thinking about outdoor kitchen design.

For the grill, Harper recommends gas over charcoal because it is easier to maintain and clean. She adds that you will want “a durable heat-resistant stone for the flooring and countertops.” Natural stone is one of the priciest materials you can choose, at $25 to $45 per square foot, but will hold up much better than cheaper options like stucco or manufactured stone.

Other add-ons that can increase your budget include plumbing for a sink, a built-in grill, refrigeration, or special features, such as a pizza oven or fireplace.

Build an At-Home Spa

With many self-care businesses still closed, some DIYers are creating spa-like retreats in their own backyards. And it can actually be quite affordable, when compared to a major project like an outdoor kitchen. A prefab sauna that seats four averages$2,800,$3,500

while you can expect to pay for a typical residential hot tub.

Add native plants and grasses around a sauna or hot tub for ambiance and privacy, or consider a pergola with curtains for an even more secluded escape. If either is too much of a commitment, you can achieve spa vibes by adding a small fire pit or chiminea, a water feature, and fragrant flowering vines or shrubs such as lavender.

Make Small Mighty

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Don't let limited real estate stifle your dreams. Harper designs a lot of small backyards, and she always focuses on making the space multi-functional.

“I think the easiest way to transform a small yard is to create a design that maximizes space by using built-in seating or dining,” she says, which is something she did in her own backyard. “I recently added a small deck to replace the stairs from our kitchen to the backyard. It was less expensive than doing a wide deck, and now the deck functions as stairs and a place to relax.”

She adds that light landscaping with hardscape materials is another inexpensive way to transform a yard. Think a pea gravel and paver patio combined with native plants that will thrive in the existing condition. In other words, if your yard only gets a few hours of sun, don’t waste space trying to grow a vegetable garden.

A design that maximizes small spaces? Built-in seating or dining, says Harper.

A Note on Buying Outdoor Furniture

For any backyard transformation, be sure to budget for furniture. A small patio can be outfitted for less than $1,000, but a full outdoor living and dining room set up will be significantly more. Harper recommends waiting until prices drop to invest in new pieces. “I know it’s hard, but try to buy outdoor furniture at the end of the season when it goes on sale. Most big box retailers put outdoor furniture on sale at a deep discount around the first week of August,” she says.

60 Backyard Ideas That'll Transform Your Space Into Paradise

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How can the managing organization and residents of the house implement a project to improve the courtyard

Improvement of the adjacent territory is the responsibility of the general meeting of owners, and its maintenance in proper condition is the responsibility of the organization managing the house. Read about how the MA, together with the residents of the house, can implement an interesting yard improvement project.

Who decides on the improvement of the adjacent territory

The adjacent territory of an MKD with landscaping elements is part of the common property of the owners of an apartment building, if the land plot under the MKD is put on cadastral registration (clause 4, part 1, article 36 of the RF LC). In this case, the organization that has concluded a management agreement with the owners is responsible for the proper maintenance of the site and the objects located on it.

The decision on the improvement of the land plot, the installation of new facilities on it: a children's or sports ground, landscaping elements, parking - is taken at a general meeting of the owners of the premises in the house (clause 2.1, part 2, article 44 of the LC RF).

The burden of maintaining such facilities lies with the owners. The cost of their maintenance is included in the list of works and services under the management agreement, as well as in the amount of the payment for housing, billed by the MA to the residents of the house. Such changes in the terms of the management agreement are approved by the owners at OSS.

UO and landscaping of the yard

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How to start preparing for landscaping the yard fences, coverings, small architectural objects, organization of parking, lighting. Residents can decide to do one thing or develop a whole project to change the appearance of the local area.

More often than not, the residents of the house come up with a proposal to install a playground or organize a parking lot. They also have the right to implement a whole project in their yard with the use of art design and zoning rules. But the initiators of change do not always understand what needs to be done to get the support of other residents of the house for this, where to start.

This will help the recommendations of the manual on the development of courtyards in small towns, developed by the participants of the project "Create your city". According to the manual, the first step towards the implementation of the plan to change the courtyard of an apartment building is precisely the creation of an initiative group of residents. Most often, this group arises without the participation of the MA or HOA, and it is she who proposes to improve the territory.

Who is responsible for the maintenance and improvement of the local area

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Why hold a meeting of the initiative group

But the idea should be supported by the owners of the premises at the general meeting. Therefore, before holding such a meeting, the initiative group, together with the specialists of the MA, should work out their proposals and collect information. This is important for several reasons:

  1. At the same time, proactive residents of the house will confirm their desire to participate in the improvement of the yard, they will be able to clearly define the request for changes: what, in their opinion, needs to be changed, what ideas they have, what to focus on.
  2. It is necessary to bring up the issue of landscaping the yard for discussion with a wide range of residents, including at a general meeting of owners, only after the initiators have received specific proposals, clear questions. People don't like being interrupted to discuss abstract ideas.
  3. It is necessary to determine in advance possible sources of financing for the work: from funds for current or major repairs, from targeted contributions from residents of the house, through participation in municipal and federal targeted programs.

Representatives of the MA must be present at meetings of the initiative group. They will help residents of the house to understand the legislation that regulates the improvement of courtyards, prepare information and documents for OSS.

Land plot as part of the common property of MKD

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What should be conveyed to residents of MKD at the first meeting on landscaping the yard

at home in the development of ideas. This is also necessary in order to ensure the support of plans at the general meeting of owners.

The MA and the initiative group can first hold an informal meeting: tell the residents of the house about their proposals, collect ideas and questions, understand what the neighbors want and whether they even want to improve the territory. At such a meeting, one should:

Thus, the MA and the group of initiators will get an understanding of whether other residents of the house support them and what issues need to be submitted to the general meeting of owners, which is held in accordance with Art. Art. 45–46 LCD RF.

The manual notes that project initiators should be prepared for the fact that some of the neighbors will react negatively to the proposal. Their task is to find support from the majority of owners.

Emergence of ownership of a land plot under an MKD

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on the improvement of the yard and their results. The task includes the technical characteristics of future objects, style, placement on the territory, etc. On the basis of the terms of reference, a finished project and a work schedule are developed.

To create a technical task according to the wishes and possibilities of the residents of the house, the initiators need to go through the research stage:

  1. Resolve the issue of putting the land under the house on cadastral registration, if this has not been done before, and including it in the common property of the house. This is where the help of the UO is important.
  2. Find out the possibilities of the residents of the house, their contribution to the implementation of plans for the transformation of the yard: direct participation in the improvement works, expertise, assistance with materials, discounts in stores, etc. Perhaps the residents will be able to do most of the work on their own and with a small budget.
  3. Study legal acts, find out what is allowed to do in the territory and what is not; find out the procedure for coordinating improvement projects with the LSG body.
  4. To study the existing yard improvement programs in the municipality and the possibility of obtaining a grant for them.

Clarification of these important issues may require several meetings with residents and the active assistance of specialists from the managing organization, such as lawyers. You can also create groups in instant messengers or social networks, which will allow you to quickly resolve issues and share information.

When all issues are worked out, the information is brought to the owners, and they supported the idea, then it should form the basis of the terms of reference. As the authors of the guidelines note, the development of the terms of reference can be one of the longest stages in the implementation of the project: the task can be discussed and changed several times by the residents of the house.

When does the period of cadastral registration and registration of rights begin?0009

So, the terms of reference for drawing up a project for the improvement of the yard are ready, the residents agree with it. Now it is important to approve it at the general meeting of the owners of the premises. The following should be approved at the meeting:

  1. Terms of reference for project development.
  2. Budget and work schedule.
  3. Funding source, if necessary, agree to apply for additional funding from a municipal or federal program.
  4. The contractor selected for the work and the terms of the contract, if provided for by the project implementation plan.

Decisions on agenda items are made in accordance with Part 1 of Art. 46 LCD RF. It is possible that it will not be possible to approve all the submitted proposals the first time, then the comments of the owners should be taken into account, changes should be made to the documents and the OSS should be carried out again.

On the basis of the approved terms of reference, an architectural project is being prepared, which is approved by the local government, checking for compliance with legislative acts regulating the improvement of the territory of the municipality.

How to register a land plot under an apartment building

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What should the MA and owners pay attention to during the implementation of the project and after it

Depending on the decision made, the landscaping can be carried out entirely by the residents of the building and employees of the MA or with the involvement of a third-party company.

In the second case, the contract for the provision of services must be approved by the OSS. The organization managing the house can sign it on behalf of the owners, if it is endowed with such powers.

At all stages, project leaders must monitor the progress of the work and check it for compliance with the project and quality. The finished yard and delivered objects should be accepted by a commission with the participation of owners and representatives of the MA. If desired, the courtyard can be solemnly opened by gathering residents of the MKD for the holiday, and if the project was original or large-scale, representatives of the municipality and the press.

The last stage in the work will be a new OSS, at which the owners must include new objects in the common property of the house and approve a new amount of maintenance and repair fees (part 7 of article 156 of the RF LC). The cost of MA services will include the cost of maintenance, repair of facilities, and, if necessary, security and cleaning.

Ministry of Construction of the Russian Federation on some features of holding general meetings

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How to prepare and implement a yard improvement project

We summarize the recommendations set out in the methodological manual. For the successful improvement of the local area, the MA and the residents of the house need:

  1. Create an initiative group and discuss ideas.
  2. Gather the necessary information about the land plot, improvement programs, legal requirements for such projects, and the procedure for their approval.
  3. Bring the collected materials to the attention of all residents of the house, collect their proposals, finalize the proposals and determine the source of funding.
  4. Prepare terms of reference, schedule, estimate.
  5. Conduct an OSS and approve important project implementation issues.
  6. Develop a project and coordinate it with the owners and LSG.
  7. Implement the project and accept the completed work.

During the preparation and implementation of an improvement project, several general meetings of owners may be required. They should be carried out in accordance with the requirements of housing legislation. In this case, the positive decisions made at the OSS will be binding on all owners of premises in an apartment building (part 5, article 46 of the LC RF).

Olga Shevlyagina Chief editor

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