DIY Network

Build a Better Backyard: Value Boosts and Final Tally Build a Better Backyard: Value Boosts and Final Tally From "Sweat Equity" episode DSEQ-113

Now Kim’s outdoors is as comfortable as her indoors and while spending a little over her $10,000 budget and saving $15,000 in labor costs by doing most of the work herself, she made just over $15,000.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Sweat Equity’sAdding Backyard Value Tips:

• Making an outdoor living room is a great way to increase a home’s livable square footage and is one of the more popular equity projects today. Kim’s patio balances backyard ambiance with an indoor feel (figure A). Depending on your climate, these projects bring the most equity in the spring and summer.

• Kim’s low maintenance patio was perfect for her lifestyle. While composite decking needs little maintenance, the material was just a little too much for her budget. A concrete pad is another low maintenance, inexpensive choice but can be a challenging do-it-yourself project. Kim decided to install brick pavers herself. Brick pavers are a sturdy, low maintenance, cost effective and beautiful choice for her backyard patio (figure B).

• While a water feature is a nice looking addition to a backyard it can be a high maintenance turnoff to potential homebuyers. Kim doesn’t plan on selling any time soon so she decides, for the relatively low cost of materials and almost no cost of labor, that her bubbling brook is worth the cost of enjoyment (figure C).

• Kim’s huge shade tree covers most of the yard, but her patio needed some daytime sun protection. A pergola is a non-invasive and stylish choice for shade, blending well with her craftsman architecture (figure D).

Final Tally:

Pergola =$3,088
Patio = $2,467
Lights = $1,500
Plants/Sod = $1,005
Irrigation = $700
Water Feature = $696
Rentals/Misc. = $1,443

TOTAL = $10,899

REALTOR’S ESTIMATED VALUE INCREASE = $26,000

TOTAL COST OF MATERIAL = $10,899

NET RETURN ON INVESTMENT = $15,101

RESOURCES :
Common Ground Alliance
Call Before You Dig "Call 811"
Toll-free: 811
Website: www.call811.com/default.aspx

Brick Inc.
Website: www.thebrickinc.com

Alpine Materials
Landscape materials
Website: www.alpinematerials.com

Kichler Lighting
Website: www.kichler.com

Rainbird Sprinklers
Website: www.rainbird.com

Bobcat of the Rockies
Website: www.bobcatoftherockies.com

GUESTS :
Jason Yocum, ASLA
Landscape Architect
SunStone Design LLC
Denver, CO
Phone: 720-273-8488
E-mail: sunstonedesign@att.net