Which backyard upgrades are worth the extra cost in Arizona?
Investing in a backyard landscape upgrade can involve a lot of big decisions, and many of our homeowners ask us, “which backyard upgrades are really worth the extra cost?” Here’s a look at our picks, based on our experience in the Scottsdale, Biltmore, Paradise Valley, and Arcadia area.
Answering this question depends on a variety of factors–the area you live in, what type of lifestyle and activities you enjoy, and the age and number of people utilizing your outdoor spaces. Let’s explore the pros and cons of some of today’s most popular backyard landscaping upgrade projects, and give you our take on whether or not they’re worth the extra cost for homeowners in Arizona.
The Top 5 Backyard Upgrades Worth the Extra Cost
Based on factors specific to homeowners in the Phoenix area where our crew at Big Nick’s Landscaping and Maintenance specializes, we consider these five landscaping construction projects to be the backyard upgrades most worth the extra cost.
#1 – In-Ground Swimming Pool (installation or renovation)
#2 – Patio Installation (pavers or concrete)
#3 – Outdoor Kitchen
#4 – Putting Green
#5 – Overall Landscape Upgrade
We’ll cover why these specific landscape construction projects are favorites for our clients in Scottsdale, Arcadia, Biltmore, and Paradise Valley, and give you some data from the National Association of Realtors and others leading sources about their value and potential impact below.
Is Installing an In-Ground Swimming Pool Worth the Extra Cost?
A family with children may consider installing or upgrading an in-ground pool to create an all-ages recreational space right in their own backyard. Pools are high-cost projects that require hiring professionals with specialized experience. A family in a warmer climate like Arizona where a pool can be used year-round is more likely to consider it a must-have, while someone living in a region where their pool will be unavailable in colder months may think differently.
That’s why here in Phoenix, we believe creating a pool area the whole family can enjoy is a must.
Value-minded homeowners may also want to consider return on investment in their outdoor landscaping decision making. According to a recent homeowners survey by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), installing an in-ground pool will only give homeowners a 56% return on investment upon sale, far less than other big-ticket landscaping construction projects like installing an outdoor kitchen (100% return on investment) and installing a new patio (95% return on investment).
Families should ask themselves if the memories they make at home enjoying pool time, along with all the ongoing pool maintenance and upkeep effort and cost, is worth their investment. The same NAR survey also asked homeowners to gauge how much they enjoyed different outdoor landscaping and remodeling projects after investing, and installing an in-ground pool has the highest enjoyment score, a 10 out of 10.
For that reason, Big Nick’s considers installing or upgrading the area around an in-ground swimming pool the landscaping construction project most worth the extra cost in Arizona.
Installing an in-ground pool has the highest enjoyment score, a 10 out of 10.
– National Association of Realtors survey
Is Installing a New Patio Worth the Extra Cost?
No matter the age or number of people using your outdoor space, adding or updating a patio can make the outdoors more accessible for homeowners. Generally, a patio made of pavers or concrete is installed at ground-level, allowing anyone—even those with limited mobility—a level, sturdy place to enjoy more time outside.
Along with a high enjoyment and return on investment rating from the National Association of Realtors survey, Phoenix has harsh outdoor conditions with high temperatures, direct sunlight, intense winds, and blowing dust, which makes choosing the right products and professionals to build a patio important.
This is why Big Nick’s considers a new patio #2 on our list of backyard upgrades worth the extra cost in Arizona.
Let’s take a closer look at four products we recommend to homeowners looking to add a backyard patio that will be both beautiful and durable in our region, and compare the pros and cons of each.
Big Nick’s Patio Product Comparison
The factors we compare when choosing paver products for a patio project in Phoenix include average cost of installation, the durability of the product over time, the general style and color options available, and the versatility of the product, or how well it fits in with a variety of home or backyard landscape styles. We also consider safety and accessibility important when choosing the right landscaping products.
| Paver Patio | Concrete Patio | Stone Patio | Composite Patio | |
| Cost | **** | ** | **** | *** |
| Durability | **** | **** | **** | **** |
| Style / Color Options | **** | **** | *** | *** |
| Versatility | **** | ** | *** | ** |
| Safety / Accessibility | *** | **** | ** | *** |
| Maintenance | ** | **** | ** | **** |
| Sustainability | *** | ** | **** | **** |
The best patio product to install by cost may be concrete, but once it is laid, it is the most permanent of all patio types. Paver patios offer the most flexibility, with good durability, endless style and color options, maximum versatility, and low overall maintenance. But they can become uneven over time and cause safety or accessibility issues if left too long without maintenance. The same goes for natural stone, which is very durable and one of the most eco-friendly options on the list, but stone can also become more slippery than other patio products when wet.
Still not sure the best fit for your yard? This is where hiring a landscaping construction professional comes in handy. Big Nick’s gives all our clients design and product recommendations, keeping value and longevity in mind, as part of our free landscaping project estimates. Using our years of expertise with Arizona weather, and working with clients who have a variety of lifestyles and interests, we know how to match your backyard patio renovation goals with landscaping materials that work best in our region.
Is Installing an Outdoor Kitchen Worth the Extra Cost?
Entertaining outdoors can be tricky in Arizona, but upgrading your backyard by adding an outdoor kitchen with features that take advantage of Phoenix’s 300+ days of sunshine per year can be a great investment. According to homeowners in the National Association of Realtors survey, outdoor kitchen installations are one of the top 10 most enjoyed backyard landscaping projects, and are on the list of landscape upgrade projects most likely to give homeowners a strong return on investment.
At Big Nick’s, we agree, especially when the features of the outdoor kitchen match what Phoenix homeowners would specifically find helpful.
That’s why outdoor kitchens land at #3 on our list of backyard upgrades most worth the extra cost.
Here are some of the Arizona-specific outdoor kitchen features and upgrades we recommend considering and why:
- Shade Structures – while a big grill and separate fridges for drinks and food are more standard must-haves, the shade structure you choose for your outdoor kitchen is incredibly important to protect you and your guests, as well as your kitchen equipment, from the elements.
Good shade structures include places for fans to be installed, both kitchen fans for ventilation and ceiling fans for comfort. A well-constructed shade structure can also give you the ability to seamlessly add comfort upgrades like misters, and entertainment features like outdoor speakers and televisions, to make cooking and entertaining outside in the Arizona heat even more comfortable. - Outdoor Kitchen Burner – the ultimate add-on for cooking outside like a pro is installing a kitchen burner next to your grill. Imagine bringing those hot stovetop activities, like boiling water and simmering sauces, even deep-frying foods, outside while entertaining guests or watching the kids. You won’t regret this one!
- Sink with Garbage Disposal – we just mentioned adding misters for a cool splash in your outdoor kitchen, but creating a wet zone with an outdoor sink helps keep your cooking space clean and cool, too. Not only does the sink come in handy for washing kitchen tools and food items, a small garbage disposal can help keep food waste (and bugs) to a minimum.
- Filtered Cold Water Faucet – as Phoenix natives, we know how important hydration is when it’s hot. Just like your kitchen sink inside, we can install a cold, filtered water faucet in your outdoor kitchen for maximum hydration.
- Ice Drawer – from roll-out freezer bins to standard coolers and drop-in ice chests, there are a variety of options for keeping outdoor kitchen items cool during Arizona summers. Some outdoor ice drawers even include large ice makers, so you don’t have to run inside to refill your glass or cool down your drinks.
Is a Putting Green Worth the Extra Cost?
With nearly 200 golf courses across the Phoenix-Scottsdale area, it’s no surprise we get a lot of questions about backyard putting greens at Big Nick’s Landscaping and Maintenance. Not only can having a private practice green in your yard help shave a couple strokes off your golf game, installing an artificial turf version can offer a low-maintenance backyard sustainability feature that studies show can save homeowners 70% on their water bill.
That lands putting greens at #4 for our list of backyard upgrades worth the extra cost in Arizona.
So which type of grass is right for your backyard putting green project? Choosing between artificial turf or using natural, drought resistant grasses depends on several factors, but the most important is your time. If you follow online chatter from people who have installed a putting green, they agree…
“It’s definitely a hobby. Go fake unless you have the time and passion for it.”
– Reddit user
Before calling a contractor for a quote or trying to imagine which type of putting green to install, make sure to ask yourself the following questions to understand what kind of space, products, and putting green upkeep schedule best fits your yard and lifestyle:
- Do I have enough space? We recommend at least 300 to 800 square feet for a proper putting green.
- Will pets risk damaging the area? Homeowners with pets may consider turf over grass to avoid pet stains.
- Are there special tools I will need for maintenance? If considering real grass, this could mean trimming tools, leveling tools, fertilizing tools, and more.
- How would I like to use the space? If strictly for putting, one consistent surface material will do. But also consider if you’d also like to chip or add any obstacles, have multiple or movable cups, etc.
Is an Overall Landscape Upgrade Worth the Extra Cost?
The last item on our list may seem basic, but homeowners say upgrading worn out landscape surfaces and adding newer finishes and landscaping materials is one of the most enjoyable and highest return outdoor project investments. 23% of Realtors even recommend updating landscaping before selling your home for maximum value.
That’s enough to put an overall landscape update at #5 on our list of backyard upgrades worth the extra cost in Arizona.
An average landscape upgrade project in Arizona might include installing a walkway of natural flagstone, adding stone planters or rock beds, installing cacti and desert native shrubs or trees, adding decorative lighting, and converting or upgrading lawn areas to artificial turf or xeriscaping. Your Realtor would describe these types of landscaping upgrades as “curb-appeal projects”.
According to data from Angie’s List, the average cost of landscaping upgrades ranges between $1,249 and $6,281, depending on the scope of your project and materials used. To get a better idea about what you can get for your budget and whether Big Nick’s is the right landscaping contractor to tackle your landscape upgrade, take a look at our service minimums and give us a call or schedule us for a free estimate.
Landscape Upgrades Not Worth the Extra Cost in Arizona
We’ve given some suggestions on the landscape upgrade projects that are most worth the extra cost in Arizona, so which backyard renovations are not worth investing in as a local homeowner? We’d love to hear your thoughts—find us on Facebook and leave a comment with your suggestions and see what your friends and neighbors have to say!
Here are some additional resources on backyard projects you may be considering that require more time and careful attention due to Arizona’s desert conditions:
- Arizona Herb Garden Planting Guide – Although it’s not impossible to keep a garden in AZ, this page reviews how to successfully grow herbs with hot and dry landscape limitations.
- Greenhouses in the desert: are they useful? – A great article covering the challenges with tips for anyone dreaming of maintaining a backyard greenhouse here in Arizona.
- Fountains: water wasters or works of art? – This research summary by the University of Arizona offers interesting information for homeowners considering adding a water feature as part of a backyard upgrade.
Finally, here is a link to the full National Association of Realtors survey, so you can take a closer look at homeowners feedback on a variety of other backyard landscaping and construction projects. We hope this guide has been helpful as you set off on planning your next backyard upgrade. Remember to call the team here at Big Nick’s with any questions.
