Trying to do Backyard Renovations on a Budget? Create a Spa Space!

While you may love the idea of updating your patio to embrace your outdoor living space, it’s clear that the backyard needs a bit more work than outdoor furniture can fix.

Spending on home improvement has increased by as much as 17% in the last year, according to the 2019 HomeAdvisor State of Home Spending report. Costs are generally rising for both labor and materials, but if your budget doesn’t allow for spending even more on home improvement, you may want to look at which do-it-yourself projects fit with your skill set and schedule.

“In terms of the overall cost of anything, the labor is still overwhelmingly the most expensive part,” says Mischa Fisher, chief economist for ANGI Homeservices, a digital marketplace for homeowners to connect with home service professionals, of which HomeAdvisor is a subsidiary.

An outdoor DIY project may seem easier than trying to remodel a room inside, but don’t forget that you should always use materials that won’t deteriorate when they’re exposed to the elements. While a DIY project may save you from having to pay for professional labor, renovating your backyard is not the time to scrimp on the right wood, hardware or plastics.

“Don’t look at DIY as something that’s going to be a minimal project with minimal materials cost,” says Chip Wade, a master carpenter best known for his roles on HGTV shows like “Ellen’s Design Challenge” and “Curb Appeal: The Block,” and a consultant for Liberty Mutual Insurance.

Even when cutting out labor costs, completing home improvement projects is becoming more expensive. Especially if you’re hoping to renovate your backyard in a way that will increase its appeal to future buyers, expect to spend more than you may have planned.

Here is one DIY project that can revamp your backyard – Create a Spa Space.

If you don’t already have a pool or hot tub in your backyard, trying to create an outdoor spa space may be more costly – or not work at all – but for yards with an existing water feature, it can provide an added level of elegance.

If you already have a pool or hot tub, your DIY project can be focused on creating a space that looks cozier and encourages relaxing not just in the water, but around it as well. Erect a pergola over the hot tub or portion of the pool for added shade. This is something you can even build yourself, although keep in mind that you’ll either need to bury corner posts or otherwise anchor them to the ground.

Another option to increase the usability of your backyard spa area is an outdoor shower – especially if you have frequent guests who use your pool. The construction of a shower stall can be simple enough, though you may want to enlist the help of a professional for the water hookup and proper draining.

How much will it cost? HomeAdvisor notes that using the proper wood is an important aspect of having a pergola that will last a long time. The home improvement information company estimates the cost of cedar wood for a pergola is around $3,000. Houzz reports that a hot-and-cold water hookup outside will likely be less than $1,000, excluding the materials selected to build out the space.

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