Summer is just around the corner, so you may be thinking that your backyard could use some renovation. This is a fun project that excites homeowners.
However, there’s much more to it than meets the eye. Some common missteps can turn the joy of renovation into a nightmare.
To help you avoid this, I’ll show you 6 common backyard renovation mistakes, and some tried and true tips on how to renovate like a pro.
Let’s get started!
1. Not Making A Detailed Plan
A wise gardener once told me not to start anything before making a detailed plan. I’m not a perfectionist but I must admit that when it comes to backyard renovation, this can be your best ally.
We often see photos of amazing backyards on Instagram or Facebook and it seems like the design will fit perfectly, but you need to consider everything.
First, you need to figure out how long a specific design takes to make. For instance, if you opt for a Zen garden in your backyard, you must be aware that it will take a lot of your time.
Another consequence of not making a detailed plant is financial strain. After you decide on the design, check the price of each element you intend to use. This is a very common mistake that often leads to unfinished projects.
2. Overplanting
Looking for new plants is always an amazing experience. There are so many beautiful flowering and foliage plants, trees, and shrubs to choose from.
It’s completely understandable that you want more plants, but there’s one essential thing to consider: the size.
Baby plants look adorable but you must check the estimated mature size too.
Your backyard may look lovely with different shrub species planted together, but think of what will happen when each of them reaches full size in a few years. Therefore, always leave enough space for each plant.
3. Not Considering Maintenance Requirements
This is the most problematic one. For instance, if you want to add some flowering plants to your backyard, you can’t really choose according to their appearance.
The same goes for each and every other plant species. You must check the care requirements of the plant you intend to grow. The most important factor is sunlight. If you have a sun-loving plant, a shady area can significantly affect its growth.
Another factor to consider is the soil requirements of each plant. Some species prefer sandy soils while others will be happy in garden soil.
If you’re not a seasoned gardener, you should avoid growing high-maintenance plants. It takes a lot of time and effort to keep these plants healthy, and you won’t get the desired results.
4. Not Setting A Realistic Budget
Some elements, such as water features or statues, may cost you a fortune. Once you select the design for your backyard, check the average costs of everything.
We’ve discussed this as part of planning but there’s one more important thing to talk about.
You must check the maintenance requirements of each element before adding it. We all know that maintaining swimming pools isn’t cost-effective. But there are other things, such as exotic plants, for example, that can cost you more than you planned.
Many gardeners recommend installing irrigation systems but their maintenance costs are a big disadvantage.
Wooden decks and fences look amazing but they require protection from bad weather, insect damage, and rot.
5. Trying DIY
DIY projects work great in backyards but we often forget a couple of important things.
The DIY designs we see on social media or TV are often done by professionals. It may seem like something very easy to achieve but this rarely is rarely the case, trust me.
If you want to go with this method, take small steps. Start with simple projects, such as a pea gravel patio, and when you get the gist you can go with something bigger.
There are some projects I recommend you don’t try at all. They include electric works, plumbing installations, and structural changes. Maybe it looks simple when a random guy from TikTok or Facebook does it, but the reality is often way different.
6. Not Hiring Professionals
Needless to say, the above mentioned projects related to electricity and plumbing should be left to the professionals.
I would always recommend you hire professional landscapers for things like this. There are many companies that offer these services, and you may think it’s too expensive for you, but if you look at the bigger picture you’ll see that it can actually help save some money.
Landscapers can help you with design and tell you how best to use the space available, which plants to select, and the elements you can add based on your budget.
You’ll also get an estimated timeframe for each design and be able to choose the one that fits you most. Since they cooperate with wholesale suppliers, you’ll get many things at competitive prices and that’s exactly where you’ll save the most money.
But how to know which company to choose? Two things can help you. Luckily, we have access to reviews on the Internet, so you can see if other users were satisfied with the company’s services.
And of course, if you don’t trust the Internet and reviews, you can go with the classic method of word of mouth. Ask friends, family, or neighbors for recommendations and if there are some companies to avoid.
Are you ready to start renovating your backyard? Simply avoid these 6 common mistakes and you’ll have a spectacular garden display in no time!