By Kris Sontag
Flipping a house doesn’t always mean turning a profit. Sometimes you just want to freshen up the look of your home. New furniture, appliances, and new light fixtures can make an outdated space feel new. A redesign in your yard can be as simple as adding a flower bed or as complex as building an outdoor kitchen. Budget is a key factor when updating any area. Here are some tips to consider when choosing to flip a backyard versus a kitchen.
Identify Where You Spend the Most Time
When choosing between flipping a kitchen or a yard, ask yourself what area serves you best. Do you spend most evenings outdoors enjoying nature or crashing at the kitchen table? When entertaining, do your guests prefer outdoors or gathered around an open kitchen space?
Know Your Budget
With any flipping project, there are ways to upgrade a room or yard on a limited budget. A full remodel will be costly. But changing smaller details can make a world of difference without breaking the bank. Decorative lights around your patio, for example, will add a classy ambiance. Many improvements you make to the yard are an investment that will increase your property value. Pretty flower beds and a well-manicured lawn are the first things people notice when they approach your home.
You also need to consider any post-upgrade maintenance. It’s much cheaper to keep up with backyard maintenance than replace kitchen fixtures and appliances. Factor in the price of lawn mowing services, landscape maintenance, or indoor cleaning services for a kitchen.
Understand Seasonal Time Constraints
Many contractors will be more available for some projects during different parts of the year. Upgrading a backyard may not be the best choice in January if your home is in a region with harsh winters. Kitchen contractors may cut their price during the slow time, after Christmas. You may also be able to get a good deal on a patio upgrade in the fall.
Plan for the Project Length
Upgrading larger areas of the home takes a bit of time. You won’t be forced to move out while contractors work on your yard. But you may find yourself dining out for weeks while having your kitchen remodeled. Likewise, heavy rainfall and other weather delays could extend a backyard project for weeks, keeping you from enjoying your patio. It’s important to flesh out the timeline for any remodel so you aren’t surprised in the end.
Landscaping is the first thing people notice when they approach your home. The kitchen is the first thing they see when they enter it. Sometimes, you just need a few homey touches to make it your own. Start with the smaller decor, and work your way up.
Kris Sontag is a designer who enjoys redecorating older homes. She has a special flair for backyard gardens and outdoor kitchen areas.
