Dreaming of transforming your outdoor space but worried about the cost?
Outdoor renovations can offer some of the best returns on investment for homeowners. But they can also easily spiral into money pits without the proper planning.
That’s the issue:
A shocking 78% of homeowners went over budget on their last home improvement project. Nearly 8 out of 10. And most of those times it’s because of poor planning and unforeseen problems.
However…
With a little guidance, it IS possible to plan an outdoor renovation that will wow friends and neighbors without exceeding the budget. Whether it’s fixing wind damaged fence repair or giving a patio area a refresh… Every pound can be accounted for.
What you’re about to learn:
- Why Outdoor Projects Go Over Budget
- How To Budget For Your Next Outdoor Project
- How to Deal with Wind Damaged Fence Repair
- 4 Budget Outdoor Upgrades That Add Value
Why Outdoor Renovations Go Over Budget
Believe it or not, the number one reason outdoor projects exceed their budget is:
Homeowners don’t fully understand how much the project will cost.
It happens all the time. A “simple” patio update turns into a drainage issue. Or replacement garden decking reveals damaged pipes below. What was meant to be a £2k job suddenly leaps to £5k.
Another big reason budgets are exceeded with outdoor projects:
Not taking damaged areas into consideration. Storm damage, flaky decking and broken fences are often sidelined during budgeting. But should be prioritised. Sorting out wind damaged fence repair should happen before starting any new patio build. Get quotes for fence repairs before doing anything else. That way there won’t be nasty surprises and the overall budget stays intact.
Fact: any renovation built on top of faulty areas will always come falling down.
How to Plan an Outdoor Renovation
Planning is crucial. And the best renovations always begin with a rock solid game plan before spending any money.
Here’s how to go about it:
Take stock of what’s already there. Walk around the whole area and write down everything that needs some sort of work on it. Don’t forget fencing, decking, pathways, obvious damage from storms/wear and tear and drainage.
Now separate that list into two categories:
- Necessary Repairs. Stuff that needs to get done before any upgrade can start. Storm damage, loose fence panels, rotting timber and any safety issues go in this bucket.
- Upgrades & Cosmetic Changes. This is the fun part. New planting, lighting, furniture, decorations and layout tweaks.
Keep this in mind…
Always budget for the necessary repairs first. Only allocate budget to upgrades after the repairing costs are known. Doing this alone will save most homeowners from overspending on almost every outdoor project.
Once the full picture is clear, get at least three quotes for each job. Doing this is by far the easiest way to keep costs down and avoid getting ripped off. Plus it paints a clearer picture of what each job will actually cost.
Wind Damaged Fence Repair On A Budget
Wind damage is probably the most common type of fence repair that people will need to account for. After a storm, it’s common to find fences with snapped posts, missing panels or entire sections flattened.
But here’s the kicker…
Putting off fence repairs can lead to security risks, arguments with neighbours and even lowers a home’s value. It’s always a good idea to fix damaged fencing as soon as possible.
Luckily fencing repairs doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. There are a few things that can be done to keep wind damaged fence repair costs down.
- Assess the damage. Sometimes all the fence panels are intact and it’s just the posts that need replacing. Which could save hundreds.
- Stick to the same materials. Matching existing fencing will always be less expensive than installing a whole new fence.
- Check if insurance can help. A lot of home insurance will cover damage to fences after a storm. Be sure to double check before parting with any money.
- Compare quotes. As mentioned before, getting multiple quotes will allow homeowners to see who’s offering the best price for the job.
The moral of the story? Don’t let damaged fencing kill the budget for the rest of the outdoor project. Deal with it sooner rather than later and move on to the fun stuff.
Budget Outdoor Upgrades That Add Real Value
Got all the repairs sorted? Now the budget can go toward some upgrades that’ll wow guests and add value to the home.
Below are 4 budget friendly upgrades that won’t break the bank.
Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting is one of the easiest ways to change the feel of a garden or patio. String lights, pathway lights and spotlights are cheap. They’re also really easy to install and won’t increase monthly energy bills.
Solar powered lights are always a winner too.
Fresh Planting/Borders
Fresh planting and beautiful borders is a simple way to add colour to an outdoor space. Don’t forget to check out perennials! They come back every year and look great with a cute border edge.
Statistics show that 56% of industry experts advise homeowners are looking for outdoor living upgrades more than any year prior. So spending a little money on the outdoors could increase property value in the future.
Deck/Patio Refresh
Deck replacement can get expensive, fast. But a good deck clean, some stain or fresh paint can make an old deck look almost new for a small price.
Patios can also benefit from some TLC. Pressure washing and re-pointing aging concrete can restore a patio back to life.
Gravel Pathways
Want an affordable way to add dimension to an outdoor area? Lay down some gravel pathways. Not only is gravel one of the cheapest materials to purchase, but it looks amazing too!
Wrapping things up…
If the goal is to plan an outdoor renovation without overspending, it all comes down to one thing:
Prioritise.
Sort out the necessary repairs before spending money on upgrades. Wind damaged fence repair, structural damage and areas of the garden that may cause safety issues should be done first. After that, budget the remaining funds toward budget friendly additions that’ll add value to the outdoor project.
To recap:
- Plan ahead by taking stock of what needs repairing
- Set a budget for essential repairs before upgrades
- Don’t be afraid to get multiple quotes
- Sort out damaged areas before beautifying the outdoor space
- Spending money on the right places can add value to the home
Renovating outdoors doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Spending money wisely will create an outdoor space that can be enjoyed for years to come.
