14-05-2025
Looking to transform your home's backyard? What to know about planning, budgeting
There's something special about being able to sit back and relax in the comfort of your own back yard. And as we find ourselves spending more time outside, some people may get the itch to finally turn their space into the outdoor oasis of their dreams.
But while expansive patios layered with patterned lounge chairs, elaborate kitchens with built-in pizza ovens and roaring fireplaces might sound great, the process of achieving this is more complicated than it seems.
"These backyard living spaces are a big investment. It's important that people do their due diligence and try to gain as much knowledge as they can on the process and the options available so they feel confident," said Thomas Flint, owner of Waldwick, New Jersey-based Thomas Flint Landscape Design & Custom Pools. "This way, when everything is said and done, there's no buyer's remorse."
If you've got the urge to do a big backyard upgrade — something that goes beyond planting new flowers and adding fresh mulch — here is what you need to know.
Rich Cording Sr., owner of CLC Landscape Design based in Ringwood, New Jersey, said that the overall most important part when upgrading your backyard space is developing a thorough and comprehensive plan.
To do this, he said it's important to consult a licensed landscape architect because they are trained to know all of the ins and outs that the average person otherwise may notf. This not only refers to the actual appearance of the space, but also the function of the space.
"I can't tell you how many times somebody builds something and then they find that there's no room to walk," he said. "One of the things we're trained to do as landscape architects is to define spaces, and then we connect those spaces with the proper traffic patterns."
Similarly, Cording said most people aren't aware of all of the regulations — permits, zoning ordinances and stormwater management, among others — that they need to follow in order to complete these projects. These things, as well as instances where an engineer is required, can be identified and handled by a landscape architect.
Cording said he offers free consultations, as well as more in-depth paid consultations, and creates a master plan for the project that addresses these regulations and outlines the project's design.
This was echoed by Flint, who said he follows a similar process. For the design portion, he said he focuses on getting an understanding of what his clients' lifestyle is like and what they're looking to use their outdoor space for. They also take into account any future plans for the property, such as building a garage or putting on an addition, that they need to keep in mind.
"It's a really intimate and close experience. It's something where you need to have a ton of trust and really good open communication," Flint said. "This is so much more than the patio or the material. The process of getting their is extremely important."
Both Cording and Flint said that they rarely get clients that have a full understanding of what they want and how much it's going to cost them. A majority of people come to them without a budget in mind at all.
While it's hard to get an exact estimate for what a project will cost, you can consult several professionals for a better understanding of what to expect.
"We'll meet with someone, do a quick assessment of their property, get an understanding of what they're looking for and offer what we call a budget proposal. It is not a sales tool or a contract or an obligation to buy," Flint said. "It's nothing more than a document that outlines what the potential costs for their project would be based on past projects that we've done that had similarities."
Cording said that in his case, he likes to provide clients with two sketches: one that is value driven and one that features all of the "bells and whistles."
He said he also usually gives clients options that fall under a variety of price points. For example, when a client is looking for a fire pit, he'll show them several examples ranging from $500 to $10,000.
"We will show them multiple options," Cording said. "We've had people start out with these grandiose visions, but we're able to show them different options that meet their budget."
Cording also emphasized that consulting a landscape architect doesn't automatically mean that the cost of completing this project is going to become more expensive. He said they take the time to understand a client's expectations to ensure that they are adhering to their budget.
Depending on what you're looking to do, the timeline for upgrading your outdoor living space can vary greatly. So it's good to not have any big expectations when it comes to this.
Cording said that small projects, specifically those that don't require any permits, can typically be completed within a month. But for medium projects, which are those that do require a permit, will usually take more than two to three months because of the time it takes to get the permit.
And for large jobs, including those that require permits and engineering, he said it can take anywhere from six to nine months before they can officially break ground.
"What we're doing for a lot of these projects is providing people with a lifestyle. It changes the way they live. They're doing things that they never would have considered doing before," Flint said. "And until you go through this process and you come out the other side, you don't realize what you gain from doing these outdoor living spaces."
Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@
This article originally appeared on Backyard upgrade tips from experts: Plan, budget, timeline
