How Much Does It Cost to Redesign Your Sarasota Backyard?
Let’s make this easy and say $42,141.16.
Too much?
How about $36,793.87?
Buy one get one free?
Sorry, figuring out a backyard remodel cost doesn’t work that way.
How much do backyard renovations cost? Here’s a start: If you partner with Tropical Gardens Landscaping, the cost is at least $25,000, because that’s the minimum budget we work with for a landscaping project. If you have a smaller project that won’t reach that amount, we’re not the best fit.
Beyond that, what does a backyard remodel cost? Let’s break it down by sections and take a look at why there’s a pretty wide price range:
Oh, Yeah, There’s Prep Work Involved
Before the pretty plants, the patio, the lighting, that crucial irrigation, there’s the not-so-glamorous prep work.
Chances are, before your great new landscaping elements go in, some old stuff has to be torn out.
You’ll see prep work in your itemized list of backyard remodel costs, and it can range anywhere from $1,000 to $15,000, depending on how much work is involved.
Maybe we have to remove a big old oak tree at a labor-heavy cost of $6,000.
Can You Tackle Backyard Remodel Cost in Phases?
How much grading is needed to prepare your property for planting and construction? Do we have to move a lot of soil?
How much old and outdated plant material needs to be removed to make room for vibrant new plants? Have you been hanging on to 17 old ixora shrubs?
Your finished landscaping is only as good as the painstaking preparation that starts it all.
Backyard Remodel Cost: Softscape (Hint: It Means Plants)
The cost of outdoor living space always includes new plants.
A typical backyard renovation includes between $15,000 and $25,000 of plant material, depending on the size of your yard and the number and type of plants involved.
Do you want large specimen palms that look like they’ve always been there? Or are you patient and willing to wait for things to grow?
We love using 12-foot field grown trees for impact, but they do cost about twice as much as the smaller 6-foot trees that arrive in 25-gallon pots.
Bigger plants are healthier and give you the best, fullest look at installation, but this is Florida — things grow pretty fast.
Backyard Renovations Cost: Patios
The patio is the life of the backyard party. (We know your brother-in-law thinks he claims this title, but no — it’s the patio.)
How much for this backyard must have?
Plan to spend at least $1,700 to $2,000 for an average 10 by10 foot patio space.
That’s for a paver patio, a classic Florida patio choice. They’re sturdy, readily available and you can’t beat the color, texture and style choices.
The cost is higher if you opt for a natural material like travertine, a form of limestone.
Natural stone costs more to begin with, and it requires more labor to install, too.
Can You Tackle Backyard Remodel Cost in Phases?
A rectangular patio is generally cheaper than one with lots of curves, because there’s less labor-intensive cutting involved. (Grab a pair of scissors and cut a rectangle out of paper. Now try to cut a circle. See?)
A fancy border on your paver patio adds to the cost, too.
Backyard Remodel Cost: Don’t Forget Lighting
We saw your eyes start to skip over this section. Not so fast. You need to figure landscape lighting into your backyard renovation cost.
Even if you don’t ask us for a landscape lighting design as part of your plan, we’ll get one ready for you anyway. That’s how crucial it is to maximizing your enjoyment of your great outdoor space.
Imagine sitting out on your new patio in the dark. Now imagine there are festive string lights strung overhead, tropical tiki torches flickering, and all your favorite backyard trees and plants are cast in an attractive glow.
Better, right?
Lighting ranges from $5,000 to $10,000, but the average cost is about $8,000.
What affects the cost?
How many big palms are you lighting? How many path lights do you need?
We use a higher-end outdoor lighting brand, to ensure long lasting, quality lighting.
Amp brand lighting is from a local company and made of 100 % cast brass. It comes with a lifetime warranty. It’s there for good.
Included in that lighting cost, too, is an FX brand smart transformer/timer that automatically adjusts with the changing daylight over time, so you never have to adjust the timer, an annoying task that few homeowners bother to do. That means your outdoor lighting never comes on exactly when it should. Until now.
Irrigation in Backyard Remodel Cost
Plan on spending $2,000 to $3,000 on irrigation as part of your backyard renovation cost, depending on how much your landscaping changes. You might add planting beds or add areas of turf, which requires adding or changing zones.
Can You Tackle Backyard Remodel Cost in Phases?
You can. But it might end up costing you more in the long run if you approach your landscaping project as two or more separate phases.
If you choose this route, here’s a tip:
Go ahead and have the entire design done now. That way sleeves can be installed to accommodate any irrigation or gas lines that come later.
If the cost of renovating your backyard is higher than you planned, your landscape designer can help you brainstorm where to cut back.
We'll create a landscape design based on the elements you really want.
When you get the plan, everything is itemized. You’ll know how much each individual feature costs, from the fire pit to the patio to the pergola.
That way you can decide, if needed, what you can live without and what areas are must haves.
Do you really need those luxury fire bowls? Maybe install them later.
How about that fancy pergola — will you really use it? Maybe consider two palms for shade instead.
Backyard vs Front: Pro Tips
We’re talking about the cost of renovating a backyard here, but if you’re considering your front yard, too, do your backyard first.
If you get the front all prettied up first, your brand new front landscaping can be damaged by landscaping equipment moving through to do the back.
Plus, your backyard is really the space you’ll enjoy, right? Why prioritize making the front look nice for the neighbors? Treat yourself first!
We recommend spending 70 percent of the cost of your outdoor living space on the backyard and 30 percent out front.
Ready for a Fantastic New Outdoor Florida Living Space? Talk to Us
How much will it all cost? What features should you prioritize? Are you still working on cutting out that paper circle?
Can You Tackle Backyard Remodel Cost in Phases?
Chat with one of our landscape designers, who are happy to help you figure it all out.
The pros at our Sarasota FL landscape design and build services know how to boost your backyard outdoor life with all the elements you need to really enjoy it.
Give us a call or fill out our form today! Our designers are ready to help you figure out all the stunning features you need, and help you sort out the costs. Next up: your perfect outdoor haven.
