Moving in to a new build property was an exciting experience. A complete blank canvas! However, sometimes an expanse of “blank” can be creatively stifling. this is how I felt in my garden when was a large patch of sloped soil on move in day. There were huge chunks of soil, rocks and builders rubbish. it was also march: cold; wet and generally drizzly and uninviting.
I had moved from a rented property and developed a lovely pot garden which made my old space very inviting and welcoming. In March most pots contained dormant bulbs or leafless trees waiting for some warmth to burst back into life. Additionally, I didn’t want them on the soil so a side wall became their home and it looked like a dumping ground (it was a dumping ground).
Move forwards 3 weeks into April and my lawn had been laid. I’d moved from an expanse of soil to an expanse of green. I was so grateful as I have two young children who could now play outdoors with me being able to watch them from the kitchen patio doors. Progress!
With the weather warming, I wanted to sit outside and enjoy the garden, I also wanted to establish my plants to create a haven for myself, my children and for wildlife.
Excited to create a sturdy outdoor space I arranged for a quote for a patio. The quote came in at £5000 for a very basic patio. with the move, I simply did not have that money to spend. I was torn.
Roll forwards 3 months and I’m almost finished building a decking area that I’m so proud of. And I did it on a budget. Here’s how:
1. Keep an eye out on marketplaces where you can often acquire cheap or often free materials.
Common marketplaces in the UK are gumtree.com and Facebook marketplace. I managed to get a load of Free (including delivery) decking boards. In many cases people may need to pay to get rid of large quantities of wood or waste and they offer it up to takers who can do this for free. It’s a win win situation. Spring is an ideal time for this as people will be getting their gardens prepped for summer.
2. Be prepared to labour for your space.
A large proportion of cost for any quote is the labour costs. If you do not have the skills to lay a patio or build a deck, offer to labour for the job during the quoting phase and this can reduce your costs. If you are not experienced in labouring, I would recommend you do the following:
Buy some gloves to protect your hands
Stay hydrated.
Ensure you lift items correctly always
3. Research the area you are working with and measure it carefully.
It’s important to know the type of ground you are working with, are there drains to go around/ do drains need adding in, is there an incline, will the area be in the sun at the time of day I want to sit out. Smart solutions come from smart questions. If you are starting afresh you have the opportunity to make it how you want it, so maximise the space for your dream to come true.
4. Prepare your working area.
When working on a new project there is a huge part of you that wants to see it finished. It’s at these exciting moments you need to make sure you are not rushing the job. Take your time and get it right. This will reduce wasting materials from mistakes and it will also make the job easier to complete as an organised workspace makes for a smoother workflow.
5. Source materials within your budget and check delivery costs too
Whilst many materials can be acquired for free, there will.be an inevitable spend. E.g. you cannot reuse wooden posts which had been dug into the ground. Some suppliers offer free delivery, where others charge delivery but have cheaper materials. If you or a family member have a van or pick up, this could be a cheaper option. It’s worth looking around. It’s also worth noting that prices of wood vary throughout the year. Prices for wood have soared during the pandemic as the supplies are harder to come by. It might also be worth asking… Do I want this now, or shall I wait a year to see if the costs come down?
6. Give yourself time
My decking took so much longer than I had hoped it would take. Everything took longer than I expected and a lot of time went on thinking through the job and problem solving. It’s worth it for the end result. Don’t go organising a family garden party until you definitely know it will be finished though.
7. Take photos of your progress
At the point of writing I have not finished my deck yet. However I have taken many photos. On some days there looks like far less progress than others but I know what has gone into it so it might be more fulfilling for me than for a friend who doesn’t know the effort involved. Nevertheless, building something like this on my own has been a feat and I hope that I can be proud of the end result and also inspire others to do the same for themselves. I’m building a two tier deck to take account of a gentle slope. There will also be a raise bed at the end for me to plant grasses in for screening.
Its so close!
Let me know what you think and feel free to share your own achievements in the comments below.
