Backyard renovations: how much do they cost?

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Is a garden redesign on your list of home projects at the moment? Backyard renovations are a popular choice when it comes to home improvement, particularly this year when lots of us have been spending more time than ever in our gardens.

As with any home renovation, the planning stage is a vital part of a garden project. You’ll no doubt be thinking about how you’d like your outdoor space to look, but working out your budget and the costs involved is also a crucial part of the process. It’s so easy to let costs spiral once the work starts, and taking some time to look at the financial element of the project will help you to set a realistic limit and control your expenses.

The cost of backyard renovations

So, how much does it cost to renovate a backyard? The answer to this question depends on a number of factors. Here are some of the key areas you may need to tackle and how much you can expect to spend, plus some ways you can save money.

Decking

Decking is a really popular choice for outdoor spaces, and it works well as a focal point for your garden. Installing decking is also an excellent way to expand your living and entertaining space, and add curb appeal and value to your home.

The cost of building a deck depends on the size of area you’re looking to cover, and the material you’ll be using. The cheapest material is wood. However, wood decks often suffer from weather damage and don’t last long, plus they require regular maintenance. Another option is plastic decking, which is durable and low maintenance, but more expensive and often less beautiful to look at. The final option is composite decking. This is durable against weather damage, lasts for decades, and is very easy to maintain. While they are quite expensive, it’s possible to find and buy cheap composite decking.

You can expect to spend £1000 to £2000 for a 15-metre square deck. Make sure you consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type of decking before making your choice. And remember, the cheapest option may work out more expensive in the long run if you need to replace it.

Grass lawn

A healthy and well-maintained lawn is often the a key element in backyard renovations. The price of laying a new grass lawn will depend on the quality of the turf, and the size of the area you’re covering.

Naturally, the better the grass quality, the more expensive it gets. Grass can cost between £3 and £20 per square metre. If you hire an installer, expect to spend around £600 for a 50-metre square lawn, including labour and turf. Obviously this estimate will vary depending on the quality of turf you choose.

Lawns require regular maintenance, but if you’re happy to do this yourself you won’t incur much in the way of ongoing costs.

Concrete and other lawn alternatives

Aside from lawn, you can also use concrete in your garden design. It’s great for providing a practical, low-maintenance hard surface, for example as a shed base or a path.

Expect to pay around £30 to £40 per square metre for concrete, including labour and materials.

Another alternative to a traditional lawn is artificial grass. This is also a low-maintenance option, but at £60 to £75 per square metre it’s not cheap, and it won’t provide a habitat for local wildlife.

Bark chip mulch is a cost-effective material for play areas, with costs starting at around £5 per square metre.

Gardening

Garden borders filled with plants are a key element in a backyard redesign. They can be used to introduce colour, texture, scent and height to your outdoor space, and are also a brilliant way to link areas together or provide privacy.

The cost of adding trees and plants to your garden varies hugely depending on the varieties you choose, and how big they are when you buy them. Do your research online or at the garden centre before you set your budget, and aim to choose plants that will provide you with years of pleasure to get the best value for money. Try not to get too carried away!

Vegetable gardens are becoming increasingly popular in backyard renovations. Raised vegetable beds are a great way to keep things looking good, while also being a very practical option. You can expect to spend around £300 to make a decent-sized raised bed. Or you can go down the DIY route and make your own, which can save you some cash.

Fencing

Fencing is another key element of a backyard renovation. Similar to decking, you can choose from plastic, composite, or wood. Again, wood is cheaper than plastic and composites, and the latter options are more durable and long-lasting.

The price of installing wood fencing is around £1000 to £1500 for a 15-metre fence, obviously this is dependent upon the type of panels you choose. Composite fencing will cost you around £1500 to £2000. If you can install it yourself you’ll be able to make some savings.

Other features

There may be other features that you’d like to add to your outdoor space, such as a water feature, lighting and decorations. It’s hard to estimate costs here, because there are so many options!

As a rough guide, expect to pay around £1000 for a pond, £2000+ for a water feature, and anything upwards of £1500 for garden lighting. This is an area of backyard renovations where people often consider DIY projects to lower the cost. If you do choose the DIY option, make sure you research your project thoroughly, and don’t attempt things like electrical wiring unless you’re qualified to do it.

Are you building any of these elements into your backyard renovation? Do you have any tips for controlling the costs?

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