Developing The Garden

For many people, a garden or some outdoor space such as a balcony or terrace is essential. So when you're renovating a property it's worth investing time and money on the outside as well as the inside to get it to look good. Here's how to approach it.

By Sarah Jagger

Developing The Garden. Garden By Modular Garden

How To Maximise The Garden's Appeal

Selling On Your Development
Patrick Sawdon at Halifax says never underestimate the importance of a garden to a potential buyer. 'Most buyers want somewhere to sit out and entertain in the summer. So an attractive outdoor space will improve the appeal of a property and all reasonable expenditure can be recouped,' he says.

A garden can bump up the property's value, too. 'A well-planned and executed garden can add up to 20% on the value,' advises Nicholas Leeming at propertyfinder.com. So how do you ensure you get it right?

Know Your Target Audience

The garden, like the property, should always be targeted to the relevant buyer. So a well-stocked tidy garden will appeal to most people, but younger couples or single people might prefer a minimal garden with simple outdoor space for parties and a barbecue, whereas a growing family will prefer a larger outdoor space and a lawn for children to play.

Property developer Dan Doherty says whatever your target market your aim should be to make the garden look as big as possible. 'If it's a small garden brighten, it up with white walls, mirrors and plenty of greenery. For larger gardens cut back hedges, clean any obstructions and get some turf,' he says.

Your local estate agent will advise on what people want from their outdoor space in your chosen area.

Set A Budget

What you spend will very much depend on what's there already. It might just need a good tidy up, or you may need to start from scratch. Either way, it's essential you budget for the work on your garden at the beginning of your development. According to www.gardens123.co.uk, most small gardens (6m sq) with a simple design start at around £3,000. This would give you a new paved or decked area, basic planting, and a revamp of existing features such as re-treating or replacing fences - however, you needn't spend nearly that much if it's just a case of tidying.

For a new design though, as a guide, gardens123 says the cost of materials is usually half the overall construction cost, with labour accounting for the other half. Budget 25% of the material cost for plants and then add a 10% contingency to your total for the unexpected, such as adding drainage. When you're budgeting, you should also consider who'll be using your garden.

Get Green-Fingered

Your development's garden may just need a tidy. So you should pull up weeds, give hedges a trim, clear away any dead plants, cut back overgrown plants, edge the lawn and add a few new plants. Remember to repair cracks in the driveway or path, relay broken paving slabs and keep rubbish bins and building rubbish out of sight. If the garden needs more than a weed, put together a plan.