Backyard Budget Breakdown
I know you’re probably really sick of seeing backyard posts and I promise this will be the last one! So many people had questions about the budget. I thought it would be easiest to breakdown each project and link the corresponding post. You can click through to see exactly what we spent on each component of our yard. Yes… it’s personal, but it’s also helpful if you’re trying to recreate a similar space in your own yard. This year one of my blog goals was complete honesty /Â transparency and I think it’s really appreciated. Click through for our backyard budget breakdown…
I’m just going to jump right in and itemize / link everything. A lot of this doesn’t include basic tools (like shovels, rakes, wheelbarrow, trowels, etc) because we already owned the tools. If you don’t already own a lot of these tools needed for the projects, that’s something else you would have to factor into the budget.
I also didn’t include things like trenching in the electrical, because I’m assuming most people would hire an insured electrician to take care of that rather than DIY. Our situation is a little different since Emmett is like my personal handy man. Obviously labor and our time is also NOT included in this itemized list.
P E R G O L A
- pergola kit | $1,099.00
- concrete (10 bags) | $35.00
total= $1,134.00
Click here to see images of the finished project and pergola.
P A V E R Â Â P A T I O
- pavers (~480) | $552.00
- paver base (142 bags) | $537.00
- paver sand (80 bags) | $197.00
- polymeric sand (2) | $40.00
- compacting machine rental | $70.00
total= $1,396.00
Click here for a detailed tutorial on installing a paver patio.
P R I V A C Y Â Â F E N C E
- fence panels (25) | $2,000.00
- fence posts (26) | $854.00
- fence post caps (26) | $104.00
- gates (2) | $432.00
- latches / locks (2) | $92.00
- concrete (75 bags) | $314.00
total= $3,796.00
Click here for a detailed tutorial on installing a vinyl privacy fence. We saved a ton of money by tying the fence into our neighbor’s fences. You can read all about it in the linked post.
C U S T O M Â Â S E A T I N G
- cinderblocks | $125.00
- landscaping adhesive (2 tubes) | $10.00
- rebar | $30.00
- concrete (20 bags) | $70.00
- quik wall product (10 bags) | $220.00
- pea gravel (20 bags) | $37.00
- outdoor cushions (4) | $600.00
total= $1,092.00
Click here for a detailed tutorial on installing a custom outdoor sectional.
L A N D S C A P I N G Â Â + Â Â S O D
- arborvitae trees (15) | $900.00
- boxwoods (3) | $117.00
- succulent arrangements (2) | $50.00
- snowball bushes (4) | $80.00
- lemon tree | $40.00
- large succulent | $37.00
- planters – one / two / three / four | $350.00
- topsoil – by the bag (20 bags) | $60.00
- topsoil load (9 cubic yards delivered in dump truck) | $300.00
- black mulch (20 bags) | $67.00
- marble chips (10 bags) | $43.00
- sod | $2,000
total= $3,972.00
Click here to see more of our landscaping design plan and the finished result.
I R R I G A T I O N
- sprinklers | $100.00
- control panel | $120.00
- piping and supplies | $450.00
- trencher rental | $110.00
total= $780.00
C O O L I N G Â Â + Â Â S H A D E
- overhead fan | $1195.00
- shade / sun blocking fabric (3) + clips (3) | $96.00
total= $1,291.00
Click here for more information about adding shade to a pergola and installing an outdoor fan.
A C C E S S O R I E S Â + Â G R I L L
- firewood holder | $200.00
- accent pillows (vintage)Â | $80.00
- candles | $20.00
- string lights (2 sets) | $160.00
- tray (mine is an old Nate Berkus from Target, linked similar) | $42.00
- bluetooth speaker | $130.00
- throws (2 in light beige) | $120.00
- weber grill | $1,200.00
total= $2,232.00
Click here to see all of the styled accessories in the finished space.
F U R N I T U R E
- patio set | $495.00
- fire pit | $180.00
- side table | $50.00
- coffee table (linked similar… mine is a lucky Gloster find from HomeGoods) | $300.00
total= $1,025.00
Click here to see the furniture and floor plan in the completed space.
C U S T O M Â Â C O R N H O L E Â Â S E T
- unfinished boards | $65.00
- bags | $25.00
- custom decal | $40.00
total= $130.00
Click here for a detailed tutorial on making a custom cornhole set… complete with downloadable patterns!
G R A N D Â Â T O T A L Â = Â $16,848.00
That’s honestly not too shabby, considering the transformation and all the work we put in! Remember the before images? The highest quote I received from a contractor was $38,000… and that was even considering we already had the materials at the job site (aka, our backyard).  The entire project from beginning to end almost took us two months, but I have to say it was worth it. We both have full-time jobs, so most of the project was progressing on nights and weekends.
Keep in mind, our backyard was really rough to start, and it’s a really big lawn in terms of square footage. We had to spend a lot of money getting it in a state to even start the project (bringing in additional topsoil to level, etc). Every project is different… sometimes you’ll spend more and sometimes it’s less. It all depends on your situation and scale of your project. Hopefully this will help to give you a realistic picture of what each project roughly cost based on our materials, labor, and size. We’re certainly glad we tackled the intimidating backyard project sooner rather than later so we can enjoy it the entire time we live here.
I’m happy to answer any budget related questions in the comments below!