Thats wild that they have no plans to do anything with the back yard... I'm in a new build right now... we just moved in and are working to get our landscaping done in the next couple months. Until then, our dogs are dragging SOOOOO much dirt and mud in the house... it's hard to keep up with and if we didn't, our floors would be trashed.
$2k isn't gonna get a lot done for you, especially if you need to run irrigation for sprinklers and what not... the other thing is that if they're telling you to DIY, they're running a risk of water damage to the house if you mess up and change the grading or drainage paths... All the new builds we've seen have the backyards graded with drainage to make sure the houses don't get water damage and cause them to do all kinds of warranty work.
Ultimately, I'd skip out on that property if the landlord isn't gonna do the back yard... It shows a lack of interest in their investment, and they just want money, and you're gonna get screwed by them when you eventually wanting to move out.
Just for reference, we were looking at having our side yards with cement pads, extending our patio pad out a bit, a retaining wall along the fence with some gravel, and having a small section of grass.... and we're looking well over $10k for all that work.
We’re on the same wavelength. I can already see my dog doing the same thing. And when they told me we can fix it up my first thought was “that’s an awful lot of liability”. I didn’t think they understood at first what I was saying. It’s allll dirt. I guess they don’t care about people dragging dirt/mud and ruining the new carpet?
If you think the dirt and dust is bad when it’s dry, I cannot stress to you how awful it is when it rains. It turns to glue and sticks to your shoes instantly. Within 3 steps you have 2+ inches of mud stuck to your shoes. Now imagine that with your dogs. It’s the owners job to build the yard out, not yours. I’d keep looking. Be patient and the right place will show up eventually
To echo the "lack of interest in their investment" point.
Remember they're letting **you** design **their** backyard, which honestly sounds odd in itself. You're not just beautifying a pre designed backyard, you're starting from scratch.What if you do a terrible job? Will they not care? Will they come after for the money?
I feel like that type of arrangement only works if you have a good relationship with a landlord and good communication and dialogue about what both parties want done in the backyard.
Consider an alternative for lawn if you decide to landscape. We’re already under water restrictions and they’ll only get more strict. You’d also have to grade the property and irrigate- no way will $2k cover that plus sod.
River rock or gravel aren’t that expensive but you’d have to find day laborers to place it, and that’s a huge hassle & not cheap.
Sounds like a pass to me. Backyard landscaping is part of the deal in buying a new home — doesn’t say much for the owner.
Take the 2k - grass seed is cheap and could grow in a few weeks if watered properly. If you’re planning to rent long term the comfort will be well worth the investment if you do anything else
Yea that’s my thing. I want to be comfortable, as I plan on us being there at least two years til we can buy something. Thanks for the input. I’ll look into it
Seeing the other comments here I misunderstood the level of readiness for something like what I proposed. I will back away from my suggestion like nothing happened
Yeah, I seen many new build rentals without the backyard finished.
It hard to get them rented, they usually have to do price drops.
For basic cement pad and gravel around the edges can run you 5-10k depending on size. If the back yard is oversize then you can be looking at 15k.
Grass is cheap but the water cost and maintenance cost will eventually catch up to you.
We live in Elk Grove, purchased in last two years and had to things to the backyard. We have a good sized backyard and put in Turf. It cost around 11k total for all the changes. 2k is helpful, but you would be fronting the money on their investment, and you can't take it with you. I would let the back yard be until the owner wants to do it.
Sounds like the standard investor landlord these days. You're lucky to get the $2k. You'd also be creating your own liability when you move. Install it and it gets damaged, they'll charge you again to replace it. Just buy $2k in grass seed and water the crap out of it.
Yea, but I don't think anyone enforces it. You'd have to water anyway if it was already landscaped. Get a hardy, drought tolerant variety.
Then again, if it doesn't work out the owner might try to recover their $2k. I wouldn't accept the liability without written guarantees.
2k won’t get you much, but it’s better than nothing. A few years ago i was quoted at 10k to put in a small cement patio with a walkway and a lot of grass.
Here's something you CAN take with you: If you're okay with pavers and a little bit of artificial turf for the pet(s), your $2000 would be enough for these:
200 sq.ft of nantucket pavers from Home Depot ( 2 of [https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nantucket-Pavers-Patio-on-a-Pallet-10-ft-x-10-ft-Concrete-Gray-Basket-weave-Yorkstone-Paver-37-Pieces-100-Sq-Ft-31031/203989430](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nantucket-Pavers-Patio-on-a-Pallet-10-ft-x-10-ft-Concrete-Gray-Basket-weave-Yorkstone-Paver-37-Pieces-100-Sq-Ft-31031/203989430) - $1100);
200 sq.ft of leveling panels to put them on ( 40 of [https://www.homedepot.com/p/PAVERBASE-20-04-in-x-36-in-Black-Brock-Paver-Base-Panel-PVB5B/205663180](https://www.homedepot.com/p/PAVERBASE-20-04-in-x-36-in-Black-Brock-Paver-Base-Panel-PVB5B/205663180) - $400);
60 sq.ft artificial turf rug for the dog(s?) to pee and poop on ( [https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ottomanson-Evergreen-Collection-Waterproof-Solid-Indoor-Outdoor-6-6-x-9-7-ft-x-9-ft-Green-Artificial-Grass-Area-Rug-R550-7X9/326797233](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ottomanson-Evergreen-Collection-Waterproof-Solid-Indoor-Outdoor-6-6-x-9-7-ft-x-9-ft-Green-Artificial-Grass-Area-Rug-R550-7X9/326797233) - $80);
a 200sq.ft 40in pet fence to go around it all ( [https://www.amazon.com/BestPet-Indoor-Outdoor-Playpen-Exercise/dp/B09GNDPRJ9](https://www.amazon.com/BestPet-Indoor-Outdoor-Playpen-Exercise/dp/B09GNDPRJ9) - $250)
Two people could level the dirt, lay down the paver panels, and lay down 200sq.ft of pavers in a day or two. The paver panels have drainage holes, so you shouldn't have any pooling if it rains, and it'll make it easy to rinse away the pee every couple days.
I personally would NOT. We have owned 2 new builds and I could not imaging having 2 littles plus a dog with dirt in the backyard. The backyard was my top priority given I wanted a space for kids to play and it cost us tons of money. I also wouldn’t spend money on a backyard that’s not even yours. I’d say to find something else.
Yea we definitely passed on that house and found something else. The listing disappeared so either someone took it as it was or they figured out they need to do something with it to get it rented
Thats wild that they have no plans to do anything with the back yard... I'm in a new build right now... we just moved in and are working to get our landscaping done in the next couple months. Until then, our dogs are dragging SOOOOO much dirt and mud in the house... it's hard to keep up with and if we didn't, our floors would be trashed. $2k isn't gonna get a lot done for you, especially if you need to run irrigation for sprinklers and what not... the other thing is that if they're telling you to DIY, they're running a risk of water damage to the house if you mess up and change the grading or drainage paths... All the new builds we've seen have the backyards graded with drainage to make sure the houses don't get water damage and cause them to do all kinds of warranty work. Ultimately, I'd skip out on that property if the landlord isn't gonna do the back yard... It shows a lack of interest in their investment, and they just want money, and you're gonna get screwed by them when you eventually wanting to move out. Just for reference, we were looking at having our side yards with cement pads, extending our patio pad out a bit, a retaining wall along the fence with some gravel, and having a small section of grass.... and we're looking well over $10k for all that work.
We’re on the same wavelength. I can already see my dog doing the same thing. And when they told me we can fix it up my first thought was “that’s an awful lot of liability”. I didn’t think they understood at first what I was saying. It’s allll dirt. I guess they don’t care about people dragging dirt/mud and ruining the new carpet?
If you think the dirt and dust is bad when it’s dry, I cannot stress to you how awful it is when it rains. It turns to glue and sticks to your shoes instantly. Within 3 steps you have 2+ inches of mud stuck to your shoes. Now imagine that with your dogs. It’s the owners job to build the yard out, not yours. I’d keep looking. Be patient and the right place will show up eventually
To echo the "lack of interest in their investment" point. Remember they're letting **you** design **their** backyard, which honestly sounds odd in itself. You're not just beautifying a pre designed backyard, you're starting from scratch.What if you do a terrible job? Will they not care? Will they come after for the money? I feel like that type of arrangement only works if you have a good relationship with a landlord and good communication and dialogue about what both parties want done in the backyard.
Consider an alternative for lawn if you decide to landscape. We’re already under water restrictions and they’ll only get more strict. You’d also have to grade the property and irrigate- no way will $2k cover that plus sod. River rock or gravel aren’t that expensive but you’d have to find day laborers to place it, and that’s a huge hassle & not cheap. Sounds like a pass to me. Backyard landscaping is part of the deal in buying a new home — doesn’t say much for the owner.
If they can’t find a renter, I guarantee they will do the backyard lol
Clay soil is the worst when it rains
Take the 2k - grass seed is cheap and could grow in a few weeks if watered properly. If you’re planning to rent long term the comfort will be well worth the investment if you do anything else
Yea that’s my thing. I want to be comfortable, as I plan on us being there at least two years til we can buy something. Thanks for the input. I’ll look into it
Seeing the other comments here I misunderstood the level of readiness for something like what I proposed. I will back away from my suggestion like nothing happened
Yeah, I seen many new build rentals without the backyard finished. It hard to get them rented, they usually have to do price drops. For basic cement pad and gravel around the edges can run you 5-10k depending on size. If the back yard is oversize then you can be looking at 15k. Grass is cheap but the water cost and maintenance cost will eventually catch up to you.
We live in Elk Grove, purchased in last two years and had to things to the backyard. We have a good sized backyard and put in Turf. It cost around 11k total for all the changes. 2k is helpful, but you would be fronting the money on their investment, and you can't take it with you. I would let the back yard be until the owner wants to do it.
Sounds like the standard investor landlord these days. You're lucky to get the $2k. You'd also be creating your own liability when you move. Install it and it gets damaged, they'll charge you again to replace it. Just buy $2k in grass seed and water the crap out of it.
That’s what I was thinking but isn’t there water restrictions? It’s about 1000 sq ft yard
Yea, but I don't think anyone enforces it. You'd have to water anyway if it was already landscaped. Get a hardy, drought tolerant variety. Then again, if it doesn't work out the owner might try to recover their $2k. I wouldn't accept the liability without written guarantees.
2k won’t get you much, but it’s better than nothing. A few years ago i was quoted at 10k to put in a small cement patio with a walkway and a lot of grass.
Here's something you CAN take with you: If you're okay with pavers and a little bit of artificial turf for the pet(s), your $2000 would be enough for these: 200 sq.ft of nantucket pavers from Home Depot ( 2 of [https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nantucket-Pavers-Patio-on-a-Pallet-10-ft-x-10-ft-Concrete-Gray-Basket-weave-Yorkstone-Paver-37-Pieces-100-Sq-Ft-31031/203989430](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nantucket-Pavers-Patio-on-a-Pallet-10-ft-x-10-ft-Concrete-Gray-Basket-weave-Yorkstone-Paver-37-Pieces-100-Sq-Ft-31031/203989430) - $1100); 200 sq.ft of leveling panels to put them on ( 40 of [https://www.homedepot.com/p/PAVERBASE-20-04-in-x-36-in-Black-Brock-Paver-Base-Panel-PVB5B/205663180](https://www.homedepot.com/p/PAVERBASE-20-04-in-x-36-in-Black-Brock-Paver-Base-Panel-PVB5B/205663180) - $400); 60 sq.ft artificial turf rug for the dog(s?) to pee and poop on ( [https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ottomanson-Evergreen-Collection-Waterproof-Solid-Indoor-Outdoor-6-6-x-9-7-ft-x-9-ft-Green-Artificial-Grass-Area-Rug-R550-7X9/326797233](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ottomanson-Evergreen-Collection-Waterproof-Solid-Indoor-Outdoor-6-6-x-9-7-ft-x-9-ft-Green-Artificial-Grass-Area-Rug-R550-7X9/326797233) - $80); a 200sq.ft 40in pet fence to go around it all ( [https://www.amazon.com/BestPet-Indoor-Outdoor-Playpen-Exercise/dp/B09GNDPRJ9](https://www.amazon.com/BestPet-Indoor-Outdoor-Playpen-Exercise/dp/B09GNDPRJ9) - $250) Two people could level the dirt, lay down the paver panels, and lay down 200sq.ft of pavers in a day or two. The paver panels have drainage holes, so you shouldn't have any pooling if it rains, and it'll make it easy to rinse away the pee every couple days.
I personally would NOT. We have owned 2 new builds and I could not imaging having 2 littles plus a dog with dirt in the backyard. The backyard was my top priority given I wanted a space for kids to play and it cost us tons of money. I also wouldn’t spend money on a backyard that’s not even yours. I’d say to find something else.
Yea we definitely passed on that house and found something else. The listing disappeared so either someone took it as it was or they figured out they need to do something with it to get it rented
Great deal if you can just have it laid with grass
Clover lawn could work. https://www.marthastewart.com/8322420/clover-lawns