7 Backyard Remodel Mistakes to Avoid

Are you ready to tackle a backyard remodel for your home? Visions of lazy days lounging around your pool and cooking up a feast in your outdoor kitchen are lofty goals but require the right approach to execute them flawlessly. Before starting your backyard remodel, know how to avoid these common mistakes.

1) Choosing the Wrong Layout

Remodeling your backyard without a suitable layout can make or break your experience. Your remodel should account for your overall space, how it faces the sun, and how it complements your home. If you want to add a luxury pool, you want to maximize the afternoon sun. You may also want a pool house, but it should be positioned adequately for your property and not block your home's view of the pool.

Everything about your backyard remodel, from start to finish, should work together and create a seamless flow. Otherwise, you could face issues if you ever want to resell your home or add more upgrades to your backyard. To achieve this, it’s essential to carefully plan each element and ensure they complement one another, both aesthetically and functionally. Incorporating popular home remodel musthaves, such as quality landscaping, upgraded outdoor lighting, or a multifunctional patio space, can significantly enhance your backyard's value and usability. Thoughtful choices now can save you time and money in the future while maximizing the overall appeal of your home.

2) Forgetting the Lifestyle Piece

Taking an aesthetics-first approach to remodeling your backyard may work fine, but not if you don't enjoy the long-term lifestyle aspect it brings. You may not want to invest time and money into landscaping over the years or keep up with the maintenance of a swimming pool. Instead, your backyard remodel should reflect your values and how you enjoy spending your time.

3) Not Thinking Long-Term

Thinking about the long-term works in tandem with your overall lifestyle. Think about what you want from your backyard over the next five to ten years. You may not be able to tackle every project at once, but your goals will directly impact the layout and how to plan.

If you know you want to enjoy an outdoor living room now, consider whether or not you'll want to include an outdoor kitchen in a year or two. The team at Keechi Creek Builders can discuss your budget and short and long-term vision and develop a strategy that grows with your goals.

4) Taking a Patchwork DIY Approach

Some elements of a backyard remodel may work well with a DIY approach. Selecting outdoor furniture, planting a garden, adding that fence, and investing in an outdoor projector are a few places to start. But when it comes to a complete remodel that requires permitting and construction, you need an experienced team that can handle every part of the process. Otherwise, you could end up joining the nearly 80% of homeowners who made mistakes while trying to do a DIY project, which could result in expensive property damage, serious injury, or home disaster.

Keechi Creek Builders offers turnkey, done-for-you projects to make your backyard remodel a reality. We work on small to large projects to enhance your backyard or give your home a complete custom remodel.

5) Overlooking Drainage Problems

Before diving into a backyard remodel, you need to consider your yard's pitch, slope, and overall drainage. Runoff with nowhere to go can cause long-term damage to your outdoor projects and delay the progress of your back yard remodel. You may need to address your landscape, add more drainage solutions, or consider a different remodel layout to accommodate the problem.

6) Ignoring Your Backyard Remodel's ROI

The ROI of your backyard remodel (or your return on investment) should be considered before you ever break ground. You may decide you want the new deck or outdoor kitchen, no matter the cost, but understanding the potential ROI can help shape your decision-making process.

For example, choosing the right materials and adjusting the size could make all the difference between a healthy return and something that's lackluster or not worthwhile.

7) Choosing the Wrong Contractors

The design team and contractors you choose will directly shape the success of your backyard remodel. You may end up with a team that doesn't have enough experience with landscaping and custom pool installation, or understand how to make all of the pieces come together in a cohesive layout. The results could lead to more time and money to resolve the issue. Instead, choose a team with long-standing experience in the area and your specific vision and offers everything from permitting to design completion.

Next Steps

The team at Keechi Creek Builders offers a client-focused experience and takes every detail, including hiring and overseeing the best contractors in the industry. Whether you want an outdoor kitchen, living room, pool, pool house, or a customized solution, we can help you walk through your vision to find the best solutions for your property. Contact us today to discuss your project.