Just thought i'd share where im at w/ the backyard!

Finished up the main section this weekend - did sprinklers and drainage; should be ready for sod in the next week or two. The other side w/ the pergola still needs irrigation done, followed by 6 inches of gravel to compact +1 inch of sand in a 12x24 area for the 4 pallets of pavers sitting in my garage.. when that's done the spa will be next to the pergola and off the back patio.

 

That looks like it's going to be really nice.

 

Looks nice

 

tyty

 

Nice!

funny. I was about to create a same thread because our backyard is getting some work done to it.

can't wait to see when it's all done.

 

Stamped concrete? How's it holding up?

 

Seems to be ok; it was there when we bought the house [short sale]; that's about the only thing the previous people owners did.. and they had some electrical run to the back wall, and they also had 9000000000000 tons of river rock dumped in the side yard where the pergola is at. That was such a bitch to move.

The one thing they did not do was make a drain pipe in the concerte for the a/c run off, so it's got rust in the "grout" lines and we cannot seem to get rid of it.

 

Looking really nice. How much of the work are you doing yourself? Looks like way more than I would try and tackle with anything less than a check book

 

All of it!

 

GRASS!

 

Looks good.

 

Did you do all the stone work yourself? Also, did you build the little structure yourself? How hard was it? Did you use a set of plans?

 

That looks really good - way to transform the space

 

Thx all.. putting grass in makes such a huge difference; looking out back and seeing something green is very pleasing to the eye and mind!


Well the block/brick fence was there if that's what you're talking about; but we did the little retaining wall. The pergola was a kit I bought from Costco; though I ran into some issues - no instructions, then shitty instructions, then some missing parts so I had to deal with the manufacturer [Costco had it as a limited special so they could only give me a refund and not replace the whole thing]

Here are some before shots of the yard:

 

and the lights of course..

 

Nice!

 

Coming along very nicely!

 

thanks guys

 

Night shot is tits with the lighting Perfect for BBQ.

 

your backyard is bad ass, hot tub+pool+lighting = great night, now you're just missing an outdoor bar

 

......aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand the orgy.

 

Cool! How many total hours do you figure you put into all of the improvements?

 

^^^ Not sure honestly, a LOT of weekends moving that effing river rock - it took forever

 

shhh

After the hottub is moved we're thinking about building a bbq island

 

FINALLY started doing pavers this weekend.. About 1/2 done! Sorry about the pic, upstairs w/ iphone + window screen

 

Work is coming along nicely.

 

Dang, that's a lot of sweat equity there. Nice job so far, though.

 

I was trying to think of what I've spent so far on stuff; not really sure on an exact number

Pergola - $1600
Spa - $1650
Pavers - $550
Gravel/Sand - $220
Retaining wall - ~$200
Lighting - $150
Above ground pool - $400
Flower pots / flowers - $250
Pond - ~$100
Grass - $200
Equipment Rental - $250
Sprinklers/Drainage - $150
Electrical Wire - $400


Total = $6120

So.. Wow that's more than I thought.. not an exact number, just estimates on most of the stuff, except the higher price stuff.. that stuff i'll always remember!

 

Just imagine the cost if you hadn't been doing it yourself!! Labor is an arm and a leg!

 

Looking nice! Doing labor yourself always saves a ton of $$, that will later be used on other projects....

 

Plus this is pride in doing the work yourself. Of course, if money wasn't an issue, then it's much easier to write a check than haul 4 pallets of pavers around.

 

Yup! Not having to pay someone to do it = money to buy nicer things for the project!

 

Pavers are DONE! A few posts above you see we did about half of it.. well on Saturday we pulled it ALL up and started over because it wasn't square.

My hands are so effing sore and blistered, we also moved the hottub so now my back is killing me.

 

Looking good!

 

Thanks!!

 

What costs were involved for the pavers? Looking to do something similar in my backyard.

 

Very nice looking!

 

I was able to get 4 pallets delivered for about $600.. Bought them directly from the factory. ($250 of that was shipping..)

 

Good stuff! That all looks great!
I paid just about 4x that for about the same area covered, plus about as much river rock as you've got there. But you know what, I didn't have to lift a finger or shed a drop of sweat :p

 

and I envy you for that; a few weeks back I hit my index finger smack on with the mallet, on Saturday I hit the same exact one again, this time popping some blood vessels, then I dropped a paver on it the next day.