Well tomorrow starts the process of completely redoing the backyard, and some minor renovation on the front yard. Here are the preliminary pictures, and I will post updated pictures tomorrow, and as progress continues over the next 2-3 days.

We are extending the concrete patio on both sides of the current concrete patio. The wooden deck in Picture #4 below is being replaced by concrete. The current slab will also be extended to the right when looking at the picture.

The yard will be cleared of all current grass/weeds and prepped for bermuda sod. There will be a 5ft border of dark brown mulch and bermuda sod in
between the mulch/concrete.

There is a magnolia tree and smaller bush that is being removed in the front yard and replaced with bermuda sod to make it nicer looking and easier to maintain.

Center of Backyard


Left of Backyard


Right of Backyard


View of House from Backyard

 

Keep us updated!

 

that is begging for a paver patio...

but def keep us posted on the pics...

 

Concrete is probably cheaper, and since this won't be my house forever I don't care Just wanted something to put the new furniture on (being delivered soon).

 

me either... but pavers is not that much more expensive and increases value for resale so you do see some return...

 

Yard prepped for sod/mulch and forms are ready for the concrete.. Everything will be finished tomorrow

 

How are they attaching the new concrete to the old concrete?

 

Don't know, but they did the house across the street and everything looked fine

 

if you don't mind.. how much does something like that run...

 

I'm paying $3,400 which I found to be reasonable.

$1,350 for concrete ($4.50 per sq. ft.)
$1,500 for sod/mulch (5 pallets sod, 1 yard of mulch)
$150 for tree + overgrown bush removal in front
$300 for bobcat rental for 2 days
$100 for deck removal and other trash

The concrete was originally priced at $5 per sq. ft., but he dropped it to $4.50 per sq. ft. so savings of $150. I originally priced out sod & mulch delivered to my house for $1,000 and then I'd have to do ALL the labor to prep and lay the sod. $500 to prep the yard and lay the sod is very good.

 

Once that concrete is down you have a SOLID foundation for a friggin sweet ass 15 by 20 foot deck coming off the 2nd story. Extra money, sure...but it will be worth it. Change 1 window to a french door...OMG...

I watch too much DIY Channel.

 

if you are going to want to support a 2nd floor deck that spans that big, you are going to need to go deeper than the 3" slab they will be pouring for the foundation to support those posts... not sure what the minimum req is down in GA but i says at least 1-2 ft footers underground...

 

Don't know what the requirements are, but that would not be possible with the way the upstairs bedrooms are setup... Like I said earlier in this thread I don't plan to live in this house forever, so don't want to put too much into this house

 

I just like decks...

 

I love them too, but it won't work for this house.. There is no where to put one.

 

I'm in the same boat, 2 story townhouse...small yard and the neighbors yard faces me and is elevated, so even a 6" rise to put down a deck would make it almost impossible for privacy. Oh well, maybe that's why I was pushing you to do it!

 

Just got all the concrete put in place...





The dead bush will be replaced, as well as 4 identical small bushes will be put on the right side of the pathway to the door. The magnolia tree that was removed blocked all the sun which killed the dead bush.

 

View of the concrete


One of the dogs (Bo) approves




If it wasn't so hot out I'd be able to enjoy the hammock!

 

Bo approves! Good luck on your test man!

I like that concrete extention. It's inspiring me to extend my concrete pad myself. When you were out there, did you happen to notice if they had rebars to attach to the existing concrete?

 

If you want to increase your resale value, think about putting travertine over the concrete. I think you'd get a huge bump in equity from that, and a pergola over a portion of the slab. Buyers want shade on their patio/deck.

Looks good, otherwise.

 

Thanks! I highly doubt they did. The seams between the existing and new slabs look very good. I know you asked about it earlier, and I can take a picture for you later today.

Thanks, but I agree on the pergola. The neighbors across the street who also used this same contractor are looking to add a pergola. We will hopefully get a 2 for 1 deal later this year (gotta save up some $ )

I've thought about tiling the concrete, which wouldn't be bad, but I don't know if I want to put that money into it right now. Unless the GA market gets better it's just a waste of money and labor IMO

 

True. A cheaper option would either be to etch the concrete, or stain it and make it look like tile.

That would truly be a good equity project.

If we ever get the funds to get the project rolling, I'm going to rip up the concrete patio we have (negative pitch to house ) and DIY a pergola over the new one.

 

I was gonna say, painting/etching the concrete really gives it a finished look. They have semi transparent ones in pretty much any color you pick. It's under 100 bucks and would take you a half day to do yourself. Maybe home depot and pick up a few hearty plants around the yard. Down in South Florida, obviously we have many more options since we barely have changes in seasons.

Looks great otherwise though!

 

Eventually we'll either add 2 planter boxes on the left side or just put 3 arborvitaes on both the left/right sides.

 

Looks nice!

 

Shoulda went with a full-sized basketball court


Looks good! I like the concrete staining/tiling idea. My friend does that for a living and it always looks good.

Oh and my brother's dog has that same blue ball haha

 

Playing hard to get, are you?

 

Scotty you walked right into that one.

 

Don't know what blue ball you're talking about He does have a blue collar on?

 

He was looking at the other end. Sick, sick man.

 

Looks good. Whats the ETA on the front?

 

2.5 weeks until we can get the 4 other small bushes.. Otherwise it's completely done.

 

Dammit



This ball!!!

 

Ah ok.. but yeah they don't like that ball.. Bo prefers to run and catch frisbees!

 

Materials have arrived for a covered patio.

 

nice! i've wanted to cover a portion of my patio as well.

just curious, what is that extension on the rear of the house right below the 4 tiny windows? i thought it was maybe a fireplace but i don't see any vents.

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/home-garden-37/can-i-remove-395421/

It used to have a vent.

 

 

Any new pics of the yard after 2 years?!?! i'd love to see the progress.

 

I'll take some this week along with the patio. Yard looks the same but greener. I had some bushes along the side but my dogs killed them by peeing on them.