What factors affect backyard construction costs?
The biggest factors that affect backyard construction costs are the amount of space being developed, whether the property is flat or on a hillside, the size and complexity of the swimming pool, engineered structures such as cantilevered patio covers, and how different features are integrated together. While homeowners often focus on individual features, many of the largest cost increases come from grading, engineering, structural requirements, and the overall scale of the project.
Key Takeaways:
Understanding what drives construction costs can help you make better decisions before your project begins.
— Square footage impacts everything. The amount of space you’re developing is often one of the biggest drivers of budget.
— Hillside lots come with added costs. Grading, engineering, terracing, and structural requirements can increase construction costs significantly.
— Pool upgrades add up quickly. Infinity edges, raised pools, and integrated features all increase complexity and budget.
— Structural elements require engineering. Large cantilevers and modern overhead structures often represent a substantial portion of the overall investment.
When it comes to pricing your landscape, it’s really hard to know where to start.
From state to state, prices vary. From city to city, prices vary. Even within the same community, prices can vary depending on the features you’re building.
A lot of homeowners try to piece together a rough budget from inspiration photos, conversations with contractors, and estimates that don’t fully explain what’s included.
You might have a general idea of what you want. Maybe it’s an infinity pool, a covered patio, or a sunken seating area. But it’s hard to know what those features actually translate to in construction costs. It’s also hard to understand why one contractor may give you one price range while another gives you something completely different.
The reason this gets confusing is that a lot of people assume more features automatically mean a bigger budget.
Sometimes that’s true.
But some of the biggest cost drivers have less to do with how many features you’re building and more to do with how those features are designed, engineered, and integrated into the space.
I want to walk through some of the key factors we’ve seen over the years that definitely influence budget and can raise the numbers much higher than you may expect.
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1. The Amount of Space You’re Developing
This is one of the biggest factors affecting cost, and it’s also one of the most overlooked.
It’s easy to look at a finished project and say, “Wow, I love that. I want that for my space.”
What you may not know is that the space could be half or even a quarter of the size of your lot.
Let’s say we put that exact same design in your backyard. It would look tiny proportionally. You’d be left with so much extra space around it that it would completely change the feel of the design.
Sometimes a design may look very simple. It doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles. But it can still come back with a very high budget.
A lot of that comes down to how many square feet we’re developing.
I always tell clients the average American swimming pool is around 600 square feet. On most tract-home lots, that feels like the perfect size.
But if you have a larger lot, 600 square feet can feel really tiny. Sometimes you’re going to need 800 square feet. Sometimes you’re going to need 1,000 square feet for it to feel proportional to everything else in the space.
For homeowners on a small or medium-sized tract-home lot, this is actually great news because it’s one of the easiest ways to keep costs under control. We simply have a limited amount of space to work with.
On the other hand, if you have a larger lot, let’s say around an acre or more, the good news is that if the design is done correctly, the empty space around the design can actually create a higher-end look.
I always think about walking into a luxury retail store. The products on the shelf look beautiful because there’s so much empty space around them.
The same thing can happen in a backyard.
It’s not always about filling up the entire space.
There’s a lot of beauty in the open space too.
That’s why it’s so important to work with a designer who can help you understand the different ways to make your space ideal.
2. Hillside Lots
Maybe you have an amazing view of city lights or even a water view, but a hillside lot automatically will increase cost.
Starting with the swimming pool, depending on the severity of the grade, you may need caissons.
If it’s a really steep lot, that alone can increase the cost of the pool substantially because the pool has to be secure on the lot.
If you live on a flat lot, you’ll never have to worry about this.
But if you do live on a hillside, just understand that there are certain things that become a reality that anyone on a flat lot would never have to think about.
Another thing we see a lot is homeowners wanting terraces.
Many realize they have a lot of square footage, but the only way they’re really going to be able to use it is by creating terraces.
And that’s true.
You can make your yard so much more useful.
But every terrace you create requires cut and fill work. There’s engineering involved. It’s a very complicated and costly process.
Even something as simple as creating a terrace that’s ultimately just a lawn can be pretty expensive because of everything that goes into creating it.
So to sum it up, if you’re on a hillside, make sure you’re accounting for those extra costs that are built into the fact that everything becomes immediately more complicated.
3. Swimming Pool Design
Now let’s talk about swimming pools themselves.
Obviously, if you have an 800-plus-square-foot swimming pool, that’s going to cost more.
I will say, and this is a very general number, just to give everyone a general idea of where we’re at right now, a gunite pool around 600 square feet is often starting around $150,000. Of course, that number varies depending on where you live and who you’re working with, but it gives you a general starting point.
From there, the budget can jump up pretty quickly when we start adding certain features.
Infinity Edges
The first is an infinity edge.
And even that depends on what type of infinity edge we’re talking about.
Does it run along one section of the pool? Does it run the entire length of the pool? Is it a zero-edge pool?
Immediately that adds complexity.
Immediately we have to create some type of overflow system, trough, or collection area.
So yes, an infinity edge can increase the budget quite a bit because everything becomes more complicated.
Raised Pools
Another thing we get a lot of requests for is a raised pool.
Let’s say we have two rectangular pools.
One sits at the same grade as everything around it.
The other is raised eight inches or more above grade.
The raised pool is always going to be more expensive.
Now, in a smaller space, a raised pool can work really well because it almost doubles as a seating bench around the perimeter.
But if you’re talking about a larger pool, raising the entire thing can have a pretty significant impact on the budget.
Features Integrated Into the Pool
The other major thing that affects pool pricing is what elements are tied into it.
We do a lot of projects where structures, seating areas, and architectural features aren’t sitting next to the pool. They’re actually integrated into the pool itself.
Sometimes a patio cover extends into the water. Sometimes there are other design elements that are embedded directly into the pool structure.
Whenever those elements become intertwined with the pool, the complexity goes up.
And when the complexity goes up, the cost usually follows.
4. Overhead Structures With Complex Engineering
The next item that can really pump up your budget is overhead structures with complex engineering.
A lot of our clients love that clean, modern look of a cantilevered structure.
They are beautiful, and depending on the architecture of your home, they can really elevate the entire space and become the backdrop of your backyard.
But just remember, the larger the cantilever, the more engineering is required.
A lot of those can start at six figures, and depending on the size and complexity, the price can increase pretty quickly.
Depending on your space and your taste, these could be a perfect fit.
Just remember that, as a line item, they can be a really big chunk of the budget.
Transforming Your Yard
Every property is different.
Every lifestyle is different.
And every budget is different.
If you want expert guidance and a design that’s custom-tailored just for you, book a call with our team.
We can help you understand what’s possible for your space and prioritize the right things before you start building.
Book a free design consultation with Foxterra, and let’s bring your outdoor space to life.
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This isn’t just a yard. It’s a private resort. In this video, the Foxterra Design team takes you inside one of our most ambitious projects yet: a luxury backyard with the full resort experience. From a sunken seating area and floating daybeds to oversized stone boulders with water features, swings at the bar, and even a full pickleball and soccer court, every detail was designed to elevate outdoor living.
✨ In this tour, you’ll see how we:
-Transformed a dirt lot into a private resort-style escape
-Designed an organic-modern aesthetic that feels tranquil yet fun
-Incorporated multiple fire and water features throughout the yard
-Created spaces for both large gatherings and quiet family moments
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do two similar backyards have very different costs?
Two projects may contain many of the same features, but differences in lot size, grading, engineering requirements, pool design, and structural elements can create significant differences in cost.
Does a larger backyard automatically cost more?
Not necessarily. However, larger lots often require larger pools, patios, and outdoor living spaces to feel proportional to the property.
Why are hillside lots more expensive?
Hillside lots often require additional engineering, grading, retaining solutions, terracing, and structural support systems that flat lots do not.
How much does an infinity edge increase pool cost?
Every project is different, but infinity edges require additional engineering and overflow systems, which can substantially increase pool costs.
Are raised pools worth it?
Raised pools can create a strong architectural look and may provide additional seating opportunities, but they also require more construction and typically cost more than standard pools.
Why do cantilevered patio covers cost so much?
Large cantilevers require extensive engineering and structural support, which makes them one of the more expensive outdoor architectural features.
Behind The Blog
Justin Fox
Founder & Creative Director
Founder Justin Fox grew up with a passion for landscaping. After 15+ years building luxury yards and pools as a licensed contractor, he saw the limits of the design/build model. Homes get detailed, architect-led plans, so why shouldn’t yards? In 2019 he convinced brother Nate Fox to join him and launched Foxterra Design to focus on immersive, luxury outdoor spaces.
Foxterra designs immersive outdoor environments that blend architecture, landscape, and lifestyle into one cohesive vision. Our work is rooted in timeless materials, intentional layout, and outdoor living that feels effortless to use every day.
Nate Fox
Designer
Nate Fox helps shape Foxterra’s creative vision, blending architectural detail with a designer’s eye for proportion and flow. His work redefines the backyard as an extension of modern luxury living.
In recent features, Nate’s perspective has been quoted across leading design publications, including Homes & Gardens and Luxury Pools + Outdoor Living, where he shares practical, design-forward guidance on everything from integrating sculptural moments and sightlines to creating “living wall” effects that soften hard architecture and make compact spaces feel more expansive.
For this article, Nate explores the factors that have the biggest impact on backyard construction costs, from lot size and hillside conditions to pool design, engineering, and overall project scale.
