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Fall renovations
Before you read this article, I am apologizing in advance. Summer is over and I am going to talk about fall. I know it’s hard to read the truth so bluntly laid out, but it’s officially time to move forward (and put away your shorts and sandals). This also happens to be the perfect time of the year to start some outdoor projects or to hire a landscaper. Traditionally, homeowners think about outdoor renovations in the spring so that they get finished before the summer weather hits. Unfortunately, this also results in high traffic for the landscape companies, garden centres and building material stores. Conversely, September and October are perfect months because there are fewer people doing renovations. You also have lots of time before the ground freezes to get plants in and let them get established.
But before you rush out and start buying things on sale, there are some questions you should ask to better understand the scope of your project
WILL YOU USE IT?
How are you going to use the space? Don’t be fooled into planning an outdoor renovation that you are never going to really use. Too often homeowners think they want something in the backyard and then never really get much use out of it.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
Look at other spaces, whether online or in magazines. What draws you to them? Is there a common theme for the inspirational spaces that you really love? I worked with one client who insisted that she wanted stone in her backyard oasis, but continued to show me images highlighting warm wood tones. Sometimes what we think we should have in the space isn’t always what is really best for us as homeowners.
DOES IT FIT?
Visually, how can this renovation complement the home? Too often we add spaces based on a theme like Moroccan or Modern that are completely different from the style of the house. Often we envision our spaces without the house in the background, or we stand with the house behind us planning out into the yard instead of standing at the back of the yard and planning a space with the house.
REUSE
Before you dig in and level the existing space, is there anything that you can work with or save? Trees, shrubs, and plants are all items that are crucial in a yard, but take time to grow. Also, existing patios and decks often have solid bases, which can be reused, cutting down on overall costs.
Take advantage of the cooler weather and the sales at the garden centres to create something special in your backyard this fall.
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