There is nothing wrong with a plain backyard—it provides open space for kids and pets to play while being easy to maintain. However, there are many ways to easily transform the space, depending on your preferences for aesthetics and function. Simple projects, like adding a vegetable garden or planting flowers, can significantly impact your yard’s appearance without breaking your budget.

Even larger jobs, like installing a firepit or building a paver patio, don’t need to empty your wallet or take all of your free time to complete. Before you begin a backyard renovation project, decide how you want to transform the space, then build a reasonable budget from this initial concept. Avoid unwanted surprises with our guide of expert advice to learn how to estimate backyard renovation costs and discover several upgrades that can help you stretch your budget as you work toward your ideal design.

How to Estimate Backyard Renovation Costs

Estimating backyard renovation costs should always start with a plan for the project. If you don’t know exactly what you want to change, upgrade, or add, it can be very difficult to create a realistic budget for the job. Similarly, if you have a fixed amount you are willing to spend on the renovation, you might need to limit the upgrades to remain below your cap.

Chris Turner, the owner and designer at Elevate by Design, provides four simple tips to help you estimate your backyard renovation costs:

1. Break down what you’ll need for materials, labor, permits, equipment, etc.
2. If you’re going to hire for the work, make sure to get several quotes.
3. Use online cost calculators and talk to other people who have done other similar projects.
4. Make sure to factor in hidden costs, like soil prep and disposal fees.

“Spring and summer are the busiest seasons for this kind of work, so pricing is always going to be higher,” Turner says. “Fall and winter will generally be cheaper for projects. Plus contractors might offer lower pricing during slow months.” With this in mind, you might be able to stretch your budget a bit further by planning backyard renovations or purchasing materials during the off-season while you wait for the weather to improve.

6 Backyard Renovation Ideas to Stretch Your Budget

Not all renovation projects come with the same price tag, so while you build a budget, it’s worth considering how you can stretch your funds by making simple changes to the plan—whether compromising on scope or taking on a portion of the work as a DIY job to reduce labor costs.

1. Landscaping Upgrades

Landscaping upgrades can be a quick, effective option for radically changing your yard’s appearance. Something as simple as planting a tree or adding a garden can largely impact an otherwise plain backyard. “Adding fresh mulch will instantly add curb appeal, and it’ll only cost around $100 to $300,” explains Turner. He also suggests using native or drought-resistant plants. “You won’t have to worry about long-term maintenance and these plants can be added for a couple hundred dollars.”

2. Garden Path Design

Creating a pathway through the yard not only gives the backyard a distinctive appearance but also adds to the functionality of the space, making it easier for you to navigate through the yard without damaging the grass or stepping on flowers and other plants. The average DIYer can typically handle a garden path installation project, though set aside ample time to dig up the yard, level the ground, and lay the stones or pavers. Purchase garden path pavers during the off-season to save on the overall cost.

3. Firepit Installation

One of the more common additions to a backyard is a firepit or outdoor fireplace. This feature stands out in any backyard design and helps to make the space feel more welcoming, especially in the evening hours as the sun begins to set. DIY firepits are easy to find and install, or you can purchase a stand-alone fire bowl that doesn’t need anything extra, except for a safe spot to sit. “You can get a firepit for a few hundred dollars, or you could purchase a luxurious, modern option for around $10,000,” Turner says. Ultimately, it depends on your personal preferences and budget.

4. Privacy Upgrades

After a long week at work, some homeowners recharge by planning parties, going out, or talking to their neighbors. Then, there’s the other part of the population that prefers solitary quiet over socializing. For those who want their backyard to be a refuge from the hustle and bustle of modern society, adding privacy upgrades, like fences, screen panels, or enclosed pergolas, is a great way to transform a backyard. Take the time to price out the materials and consider what parts of the project you can handle on your own or with a small crew of friends and family to save on labor costs.

5. Simple Lighting Accents

Adding lighting accents to a yard allows for more use of the space throughout the day, evening, and night. Homeowners can install solar garden lights that don’t require wiring, making it easy to illuminate the garden, light walking paths, or make decks and patios more welcoming. You can also install wired lighting for the yard; while it will cost a bit more and involve more effort to install, this can be a long-lasting and reliable lighting option. “Low voltage LED lights will be around $200, and they’ll create a big transformation in your outdoor space,” Turner says.

6. Seating Area Addition

Sitting or laying on a lawn can be a nice way to enjoy your outdoor space, but for those who prefer to sit in a chair or relax on a patio, there are many ways to add seating options to a backyard. “Seating areas made with gravel or decomposed granite will be much more affordable than concrete or stone and run around $500 to $1,500,” Turner says.

Many DIYers can install patios or decks on their own, eliminating the cost of labor. “This will generally be around $3,000 to 10,000. This very much depends on size and material though,” notes Turner. Similarly, pergolas and shade structures can improve the comfort and convenience of the backyard, though Turner also mentions these will average around $5,000, depending on the size.

Tips to Save on Backyard Renovation Costs

One of the best ways to reduce the cost of backyard renovations is to purchase materials or conduct parts of the project in the off-season when suppliers and contractors might be more willing to provide discounts. You should also think about aligning your renovation project with tax return season so that you can invest a return into your home, instead of pulling from your daily budget. Finally, consider which projects add value to your home to increase its appeal to potential buyers.

Turner offers some additional tips to help manage your project and save on renovation costs:

1. Break projects into stages to spread costs over time.
2. Use pea gravel instead of flagstone, or pressure-treated wood over composite decking.
3. DIY tasks like planting, painting, and simple stonework can decrease labor costs significantly.
4. Large orders of pavers, mulch, or gravel often come with discounts.