what will affect my garden's budget?
creating your perfect garden requires careful planning and budgeting. whether you’re splashing out on a pool or giving your garden a simpler makeover, understanding which elements will impact your budget the most is crucial. remember - diving in headfirst should be saved for the pool, not your garden budget.
here’s our beginner’s guide to creating your dream outdoor space without overspending:
swimming pool investment
investing in a pool for your garden offers more than just a place to cool off on hot days: it's a private retreat for relaxing and a valuable place to exercise in a hot climate. it can even boost your property's value if you decide to sell one day. however, it's important to note that a pool can also be one of the biggest expenses in your garden project, with costs typically ranging from 80-300k.
this cost is influenced by several factors:
tiles: the finish of your pool can alter the budget significantly, from glass mosaic at AED 80/m2, to natural sukabumi around AED 300/m2.
cooling systems: advanced cooling systems add to the budget anywhere from AED 10-50k.
pool type and size: upgrading your pool from a regular skimmer type (where the water is 10cm below the coping) to an overflow or infinity pool can add 30% or more for the additional concrete, plumbing, pumps, tanks and extra fixtures.
access: the ease of accessing the garden for machinery will affect labour costs. imagine excavating a pool, by hand, in the summer - that’s why access for machinery helps a lot. it’s important that labour costs aren’t unnecessarily compromised because this limits the contractor’s ability to fairly compensate workers.
project complexity
the cost of your garden design can vary significantly based on your vision and the complexity of your plan. here are some aspects that can influence your budget:
structures: adding features like pergolas, gazebos, fences, walls or outdoor kitchens.
elegant detailing: intricate designs and finishes such as metal edging, paving in-lays, complex paving patterns.
durable materials: choosing long-lasting, high-quality materials - we always recommend to upgrade on the initial investment, to save your maintenance and sanity in the long run.
demolition: costs for removing existing structures or landscaping are increasing, along with municipality rates. retain what you can and repurpose materials to lower your budget.
level changes: adjusting the terrain or creating multi-level areas. this can add cost but adds even more in value for the design.
contractor selection
contractor prices can vary wildly, sometimes by two or three times for the same project. this can have a huge impact on your budget, both in terms of the quality of work, and how smoothly the construction goes. to summarise a decade of building landscapes in the UAE: you buy cheap, you buy twice.
so, choose wisely. (don’t worry, we’ll help you with that).
how much should I budget?
the size of your garden will influence your budget also. here’s a simplified guide to help you estimate the costs based on the size of your project. just measure the area of your garden and multiply it by these ranges to get an idea of what to budget:
low budget (AED 400-600 /m²)
no pool
low-cost finishes such as gravel and concrete
simple layout
small counter or other basic structure
medium budget (AED 600-800 /m²)
small kitchen, with one or two fixtures
family pool
some structures
areas of decking or natural stone
larger trees and denser planting
high budget (AED 800-1200 /m²)
large pool
several structures, including kitchen pergola and seating areas
varied, high-quality finishes
custom detailing and level changes
play areas and other custom features
understanding these aspects of your design choices is crucial for managing the financial side of your garden project. it's all about making sure your vision fits within your budget.
during our discovery call, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of costs with transparency and a dash of reality. your budget will steer our decisions on detailing and materials, ensuring we create a garden that's equally as captivating as it is cost-appropriate.
with careful planning and a bit of creativity, we can create a garden with almost any budget so you can have a beautiful outdoor space for making memories in nature, for years to come.