How Much Should You Spend With a Patio Contractor?

If you’re thinking about hiring a patio contractor to renovate the outdoor space around your property, then budgets are probably on your mind. In my 20+ years in this business I’ve learned that homeowners are usually going to ask “what will this cost me?” sooner rather than later.
 
Of course, it’s highly likely that you will come into the patio design process with some sort of budget in mind. How should you set that figure? And should you give that number to your patio contractor right off the bat or wait to get a proposal first?
 
I understand these can be tricky questions if you don’t know someone who does patio renovation for a living. So, in today’s post I want to offer a handful of tips you can use to not only set the right budget but also stick to it once work begins.
 
Let’s jump in with the most important consideration of all…

How Do You Want to Use Your Patio?

 
Before you worry about your patio contracting budget, think about how you’ll use your backyard when the project is finished. What do you dream about doing or having in that space? Which activities matter most to you, and what times of the year will you be outside most often?
 
Answering these questions is the key to making a good plan, not to mention setting a budget. New customers sometimes ask me about patio design costs and I have to tell them that it all depends on their needs and preferences. The way one homeowner uses a space will be very different from the way someone else would enjoy it. That’s especially true if they are different ages, have kids or grandkids, like to participate in certain sports, etc.
 
Think first and foremost about what you want from your finished patio and then let any thoughts about money flow from there.
 

What Features Are Most Important to You?

 
This point is related to the last one, but gets a bit more specific. For example, you might want to spend time in your backyard throughout the year. If that’s the case, then how important is it to you to have a pool or an outdoor kitchen?
 
Every feature you add is going to increase the cost, of course, so it’s important to prioritize them. That way you can determine not only how you want to use your yard, but which specific items you can live without if you need to scale your plans back in order to meet your budget.
 
It’s also a good idea to think about the quality you want in various materials and appliances. My personal philosophy is that less can be more when it comes to choosing the right items. It’s better to have fewer features that are beautiful, dependable, and long lasting than it is to settle for items you might not be as happy with later.
 

What Resources Can You Devote to the Project?

 
Only you can know how much you are comfortable spending on a patio renovation project. If you have a lot in savings and are finishing your dream home, your budget might be quite high. If you’re just looking to enjoy the backyard in your first home or want to increase your equity, then your thinking might be more economical.
 
There isn’t anything wrong with either of these approaches, or any of the dozens in between.
 
One good thing to remember as you work through this process is that patio renovation doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can start with the most important features in one year or season and then work on other parts of your property later. In fact, this can be a great approach. It doesn’t just save you money in the short term, but can also help you break the job down into pieces that are easier to see in the proper context as you go.
 
To put this another way, you might feel differently about your outdoor kitchen after the pool and deck are installed. Or, it could be that having a place for cookouts is more important to you than installing a sauna or a tennis court (at least in the beginning). Keep those kinds of thoughts in mind as you think about budgets.
 

What Kinds of Quotes Are You Getting From Patio Contractors?

 
It will be beneficial to give some kind of budget guidelines when you begin to meet with patio contractors and discuss your plans. However, you certainly don’t have to share your upper spending limits from the start. In fact, I think it’s a better idea to focus on what you want from the finished space first. Then you can collect a few different quotes from different vendors and see how they stack up.
 
Generally speaking, if you’re working with accomplished professional teams, then you’ll find that prices will be similar and you can make your choice based on service and reputation. Just beware any bid that seems too good to be true. It’s unfortunate, but there are newer patio contractors (and outright fraudsters) who will offer to do work for fees that aren’t realistic. Then, you could be left holding the bag when they can’t finish the work and disappear.
 
In some cases you may find you’ve saved more than you need. Then you can expand your plans or hold on to the difference. Or, if you find that you can’t quite afford your dream patio today, you might decide to break the project into stages as I’ve already mentioned.
 

The Bottom Line on Patio Contracting Budgets

 
If you were to boil down all the advice I have to share – which again, is based on many years of experience as a patio contractor – it would be this:
 
• Think about how you want to use your outdoor space and what you can afford.
• Get a few quotes from reputable patio contractors who have worked in your geographic area.
• Don’t spend more than you are comfortable with, but be leery of suspiciously low quotes.
 
Stick to those rules and you should have an easy time coming up with a budget that’s realistic and affordable at the same time.
 
Looking for more tips on hiring a patio contractor? Check out the other articles on our blog. Or, contact us for a free visit and quote if you’re located in eastern Massachusetts (in or around the Saugus area) so you can get the very best for your home.