Luxury backyards vary widely in cost because every property and every design is different.
In projects like the ones we design, a realistic starting point is often around $250,000. That reflects the level of detail, materials, and construction coordination required to build a space that feels cohesive and fully resolved.
The final investment is shaped by a few key factors — the size of the yard, site conditions, material selections, and the number of custom elements involved, such as pools, kitchens, lighting, and layered planting.
Working with a designer helps ensure that investment is used intentionally.
At Foxterra, we develop the design with your budget in mind and work with experienced builders in your area to establish a preliminary construction price. This keeps the design grounded in what can actually be built and helps avoid ending up with a plan that exceeds your comfort level.
A beautiful design only works if it can actually be built.
— Budget needs to be part of the design from the start. Not something that comes after the design is finalized.
— Real-world pricing matters. Reviewing the design with a local contractor helps keep the project grounded in reality.
— Some decisions affect cost more than others. Material choices, site access, and custom details all play a major role.
— The goal is clarity before construction begins. That is how you avoid guesswork, surprise costs, and a design that never gets built.
A luxury backyard is not defined by a list of features. It is defined by how those features are designed together and built as one cohesive plan.
That might include a pool, outdoor kitchen, fire feature, shaded structure, or multiple seating areas. But the difference is how those elements are laid out, how materials are used, and how the space connects back to the house.
Without that level of coordination, even high-end features can feel disconnected once they are built.
The cost of a backyard is shaped by a handful of key decisions made early in the design.
The size and layout of the yard
Larger spaces require more material, more labor, and more coordination between features.
Site conditions
Grading, drainage, soil conditions, and existing structures can all impact construction complexity.
Material selections
Natural stone, custom finishes, and higher-end materials significantly influence the overall cost.
Pools and water features
Pools are often one of the largest investments in a backyard and can vary widely depending on design, size, and finishes.
Outdoor living features
Kitchens, fire features, shade structures, and built-in seating all add to both the function and the cost of the space.
Lighting and planting
Layered lighting and well-planned planting bring the space to life, but they also require thoughtful planning and investment.
Most backyard projects don’t run into problems because the design is bad. They run into problems because the design was never aligned with a real construction budget.
It’s easy to create something that looks great on paper. It’s much harder to design a space that can actually be built within the investment you’re comfortable making.
That’s where our process is different.
At Foxterra, we start with your budget and design the yard around it. As the design develops, we review it with a local builder to understand what it will realistically cost to build in your area.
If something comes in higher than expected, we adjust it in the design.
The result is a space that not only looks cohesive, but is grounded in real-world construction and aligned with what you’re ready to invest.
Not every feature that changes a yard has to carry the biggest price tag.
Some of the strongest design moves are also some of the most efficient ways to create atmosphere, comfort, and visual impact.
Integrated seating can define a space, improve flow, and make gathering areas feel more intentional.
A fire feature adds warmth, focus, and an immediate sense of occasion, especially in evening spaces.
A thoughtful planting palette can soften architecture, create privacy, and give the yard a more finished character.
Lighting changes how the yard feels after sunset and often has one of the highest visual returns for the investment.
$250K–$350K
This range delivers the foundation of a resort-style backyard with elevated essentials like a custom seating area, fire pit, ambient lighting, and often a small pool. Every element is designed for both beauty and functionality, giving you a space that feels sophisticated without being overwhelming. It’s the perfect entry point into luxury outdoor living that transforms how you use your yard.
$350K–$500K
With this budget, you can expand beyond the basics into a true lifestyle environment featuring a full-sized pool, outdoor kitchen, and curated custom details. Each feature is tailored to your home and lifestyle, creating a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living. This tier is ideal for those who love to entertain and want their backyard to feel like an extension of their home.
$500K+
At this level, your backyard becomes a fully custom, multi-zone environment designed around every aspect of your lifestyle. Think expansive pools and spas, outdoor kitchens, fire lounges, dining terraces, and immersive lighting — all intentionally layered for timeless impact. It’s the ultimate in custom, outdoor living, creating a private resort that elevates your home’s value and transforms the way you gather, relax, and entertain.
*Pricing estimates reflected are for a flat lot of appx. 10,000 sq. ft.
At Foxterra, the target construction budget guides the design from the beginning. The design is then reviewed with a trusted builder so the pricing reflects what it would actually take to build in your area.
The biggest factors are usually the size and access of the site, the materials selected, and the number of custom features involved. Pools, kitchens, structural elements, lighting, and planting all shape the final investment.
Yes. Foxterra publicly says they create master plans that can be built in phases over time, so the yard still feels cohesive even if construction happens in stages.
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.
This article explains how budget-first design and early builder input lead to a backyard that not only looks right on paper, but can actually be built the way it was intended.
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.
We can’t wait to start exploring the potential in your yard.
Here’s what to expect next:
You’ll hear from our team within 24-48 business hours to schedule your free Design Consultation Call. You’ll get the chance to tell us more about your project and what you’re looking for in your new private resort.
If you have any questions before then, send us an email at: connect@foxterradesign.com
We require a minimum construction budget of $200,000, so unfortunately, we don’t have a design package that fits your needs at this time.
Feel free to reach out with any questions connect@foxterradesign.com and we’d love to stay connected on social media. Follow us @foxterradesign on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for a look at our latest designs.
