4 steps for a stress-free garden renovation
Like any home improvement project, garden renovation can be a stressful process. While the end more often than not justifies the means, the whirlwind of worry along the way can often make for a bumpy ride.
From the financial burden of the overall garden renovation to the visual bombsite that your home becomes, revamping your garden can indeed be a horticultural headache that lingers.
However, not all garden make-overs need to be an exercise in anxiety. By-pass the garden grief by following these four steps for a stress-free garden renovation.
Do your homework
Alexander Graham Bell famously said that “preparation is the key to success” – wise words that lend themselves well to garden renovation projects.
Be sure to thoroughly research the contractors you intend to use prior to signing on the dotted line. This will help you to get a feel of their level of work, craftsmanship and costs before you commit.
Check legitimate reviews, view examples of previous work done and scour their social media for an accurate overview of the services they provide.
While it can be a time-consuming process in itself, a reliable contractor is invaluable and can alleviate considerable stress, so this is a key area that’s not to be rushed.
Once your contractor has been chosen, discussing the project with them in detail can help you to formulate a structured plan and give you with a mental blueprint of what to expect.
This will provide a clear overview of what’s to come, eliminating any ambiguity and unforeseen stresses as a result.
Budget wisely
When it comes to common stresses in daily life, money is a repeat offender that often tops the list.
Naturally, the sizeable outgoings associated with a garden renovation can put strain on finances, especially if you don’t budget correctly.
While you will undoubtedly want to invest in a quality service and product, it’s also important not to take on more than you can afford.
Conversely, don’t expect cut-price contractors to yield premium results. If you’re going for bargain basement service, realistically manage your expectations.
If budget it tight and funding is finite, it may be worth trying to reach an appropriate compromise that serves both masters.
For example, if you have your heart set on composite decking but capped composite is out of your price range, hollow composite decking can provide a perfect “please all” solution.
Alternatively, it may be worth putting off your project until you have had chance to save a little more to comfortably afford the exact features you want.
Contingency plan
While budgeting can help curb your spending and keep your expenses in line with your chequebook, an unforeseen issue can quickly topple your bank balance and send your project into freefall.
As such, it’s a good idea to have a contingency plan in place, should your project unavoidably go over budget due to reasons beyond your control.
Home renovation projects often fall afoul of unforeseen issues along the way, so it’s wise to have a pot of funds waiting as a safety net, just in case.
As a rule of thumb, 10% of your overall budget is a good base sum to have in reserve to keep you covered in the event of an unexpected issue.
Get out of dodge
Assuming you have found a reliable and trustworthy contractor, a sure-fire way to reduce the stress of a garden project is to simply take yourself out of the equation entirely and apply the “out of sight, out of mind” approach.
Whether that’s scheduling the brunt of the job to take place during the working day while you’re absent or synchronising the job to take place while you’re away on holiday, vacating the premises during the working stage can be the simplest way to eliminate renovation stress in one fell swoop.
So, there you have it: four steps for a stress-free garden renovation, designed to relieve the financial drain and mental strain from your outdoor project.
