The Backyard Planning Guide
Plan your backyard with confidence using our step-by-step guide. Learn how to create a wishlist, choose the right contractor, set a budget, and more. Discover key questions to ask, potential pitfalls to avoid, and expert tips to make informed decisions.
Step 1
Know Your Purpose
Family
Need an Outdoor Place for Your Family?
A playground, a dining room, a pool, and a fire pit will have your patio door swinging open and closed all summer long.
Add Curb Appeal
Want to Make a Good First Impression?
Use unique and modern pavers to create a stunning driveway or walkway to add value to your home.
Relax and Unwind
Looking for a Quiet Spot to De-Stress?
Comfy seating, a fire pit or a water feature areenough to enjoy your morning coffee or curlup outdoors with a book.
Home Entertaining
Living to Host and Entertain?
Outdoor furniture, a fire pit, and cooking features are the basics for outdoor living.
Step 2
Make Your Wishlist
Dare to Dream
Select all the features you wish to have in your space. Later, we’ll figure out which ones match your budget.
Step 3
Estimate Your Budget
Not Sure How Much a Backyard Renovation Costs?
Start your journey by getting a better idea of the price range for your upcoming outdoor project.
- Quick Fact: 70-80% of your project’s cost will be labor.
Step 4
Find Your Contractor
Work with trusted professionals through Envi’s-Pro, our network of certified and pre-screened installers. Each expert is vetted to ensure quality craftsmanship and reliability. Browse photos of their work and connect with the right contractor for your project.
The Right Questions to Ask
Find your contractor
- Impose a balance to be held until the project is completed to your satisfaction.
- Due diligence: verify the contractor’s craftsmanship.
- Ask for invoices of material purchases to keep in your records.
- Proof of purchases are important for warranties.
Visit a Project That’s:
5
Years
old to see how the project ages
3
Years
old to see how the project wears
1
Year
old to see if they follow the trends
Take a Look at Our Checklist of
Essential Questions to Ask a
Contractor
Step 5
Identify Your Challenges
Consider Everything! Space. Trees and Roots. Utilities. Fence Height.
Do a walk-around and consider things that might threaten the installation of your chosen features. Here are some ideas to overcome your design challenges.
Want a Pool but Have No Space?
Choose between wood-burning, gas, or propane fire pits based on your preferences. Consider size, safety, and materials like stone, concrete, or metal to match your outdoor style.
What Kind of Fire Pit Should You Choose?
Choose between wood-burning, gas, or propane fire pits based on your preferences. Consider size, safety, and materials like stone, concrete, or metal to match your outdoor style.
Where Should You Put the Outdoor Kitchen?
Place your outdoor kitchen near your indoor kitchen for easy access to utilities. Ensure it has good ventilation, protection from wind, and ample shade for comfortable use.
Dealing with Drainage Issues?
Install permeable pavers, add French drains, or use gravel beds to prevent water buildup. Proper grading and sloping away from structures help improve drainage.
Need Some Privacy?
Use tall plants, hedges, pergolas, or privacy screens. Fences, trellises with climbing vines, and decorative walls can create a secluded outdoor space.
What Can Affect the Price of My Landscape Project?
Factors include material choices, labor costs, site preparation, design complexity, and additional features like lighting, irrigation, or custom structures.
Step 6
Pick Your Budget Battles
- Plan in Phases: Break your project into stages to manage costs effectively.
- Simplify Shapes: Opt for rectangular or square designs to stay within budget.
- Fire Pit vs. Fireplace: A fire pit is a cost-friendly alternative to a full fireplace.
- Stay Grounded: Raised patios increase costs—keeping everything at ground level saves money.
- Work with the Land: Instead of leveling uneven ground, design into the slope to reduce expenses.
Choose a Pro That Offers Financing
This will allow you to pay for your project over time, and help you manage your budget. Filter contractors offering financing to find the perfect match for your project's budget needs.
Quick Note:
Only available in USA.
Step 7
Choose your
products
Shapes and colors. Scales and proportions.
Materials and finishes. This is where every
element comes to play in a perfectly
orchestrated game of style mastery.
View in Space
Can’t Go to a Store or Don’t Have a Dealer Near You?
Experience the future of shopping with our view in space augmented
reality (AR) feature.
Fallen in Love with a Envicrete’s Product?
Find an authorized dealer in your area through our website to see and touch the products that caught your attention. The expertise of our dealers will guide you to find the perfect products for your landscaping project!
Benefits of Choosing Envicrete
We’ve worked hard to maintain our reputation as one of the leading hardscape manufacturers in the world so you can have peace of mind.
Step 8
Start your project
Now that you’re feeling confident about your project’s wishlist,
contact a contractor near you to get started!
