OUTDOOR SPACES
Investing in a backyard upgrade
As the temperatures slowly start to hover above the freezing point, and the sound of birds once again fills the air, it’s obvious on many fronts that spring is finally at our doorstep. For Montrealers, spring means many things, chief among them that it’s time to clean off our patios and head outside to bask in some much-needed sunshine.
Eager to make the most out of the warmer months of the year, Montreal homeowners are investing heavily in their outdoor spaces.
“More and more people are discovering their backyards as an extension of their interior entertaining and living space,” said Lee Gregory from Groupe Paramount, a local company specializing in landscaping design and construction. “In fact, adding outdoor space can be a very cost-effective alternative to a home extension or renovation.”
During February and March, most landscaping teams are gearing up for April, when their busy season tends to start, weather permitting. While jobs like excavations for pools remain among the most popular residential landscaping projects, the designs people are seeking today far exceed the simplistic styles of the past.
“Today people want quality, quality, quality,” Gregory said. “Done are the days of basic patio stones and cheap white plastic patio sets.”
Instead, clients are approaching the design of their outdoor spaces with the same pride and meticulous eye that they would their living rooms.
Natural stone details, complex pools, built-in lounge areas, fire
pits, and exotic woods like ipe are among the most popular elements of contemporary designer backyards. Because of all of the elements involved, clients are taking months to plan out every nuance of their projects.
“It’s amazing, in Quebec, how in love we are with the entire concept of outdoor living,” Gregory said. “It’s great for home values, too, as buyers are looking for yards they can really live in when shopping for a home.”
Pools, spaces for outdoor entertaining, and beautiful front entrances typically provide a good return on investment, he added.
“At a higher price range, homebuyers expect landscaping to be at a certain level — but a clean and well-executed outdoor space will give any property the edge over its
neighbours when trying to sell.”
That said, planning a backyard upgrade or overhaul properly is by no means a quick job, and usually requires serious commitment on behalf of the homeowner.
Installation is a process that often includes permits, municipal inspectors, heavy equipment, skilled labourers and a project manager.
“Depending on the scale of the work, a project can last from a couple of weeks to five or six weeks for the average home,” Gregory said. “Very large estates can even take much longer than that.”
As for the cost of such projects, a complete facelift can range from $10,000 to more than $100,000 — and truly, the sky is the limit.
If you’re thinking about redoing your outdoor living space, it’s important to do some research and have an overall idea of your vision for the yard.
“Too many homeowners go out and put a deposit on a pool without any other considerations, which can result in constraints down the road,” Gregory said. “A pool and other aspects of landscaping should be planned out as part of a larger theme to maximize the overall utility and functionality of the property.”
It’s also crucial to consider your needs and how you intend to use the space.
“Many homes can use a facelift, and others would benefit from a complete overhaul, but it really depends on the owner,” Gregory said. “For instance, pools are often most useful for clients with children and their value is typically recaptured at the point of sale. But if you don’t like swimming and don’t have any kids or grandkids, obviously your money would be better spent on other backyard features that are of interest or use to you.”
In addition to determining your needs and fleshing out some theme ideas, finding a reputable contractor or design team to work with can have a huge impact on the success and overall process of developing your outdoor space.
“Don’t be shy to ask for referrals,” Gregory said. “Beyond that, follow up with those past clients and go in person to see their work whenever possible. It’s often easy for someone to appear competent with stock photos and fresh business cards, but when you’re investing your time, money and energy into a project of this scale, you want to make sure you’re working with qualified professionals who have a proven track record and will guide you every step of the way.”
More and more people are discovering their backyards as an extension of their interior entertaining and living space.