Key Takeaways:
A luxury backyard isn’t just beautiful. It has to be buildable. Here’s how our process makes sure your design stays on budget and stress-free:
– Your budget drives the backyard design. Not the other way around.
– Reviewed with a contractor. Every plan is vetted before you ever see it.
– 3D backyard walkthroughs. Experience your yard from every angle before construction begins.
– No gaps between design and reality. What you see virtually is what gets built.
– No surprises, no added costs. Just a backyard design that’s stunning and achievable.
There’s nothing worse than getting a design for your new backyard.
Falling in love with the plans.
Getting excited to start construction so you can finally have the outdoor living space you’ve always wanted.
And then your contractor tells you it’ll be double your budget to build.
Or, that you have to remove your favorite features in order to stay within budget.
Or, that they don’t have the capability to execute the concept as it was designed.
We never want this to happen to our clients.
That’s why we built our backyard design process to ensure that you don’t get surprised by construction costs when it’s time to build your yard.
And that your budget drives the design, not the other way around.
Your outdoor design concept is beautiful.
But also buildable.
And within your target budget.
There are no surprise costs.
No unrealistic design elements.
And no gaps between design and reality.
We’ve built a network of more than 50 Preferred Builders across the country.
And we collaborate with a backyard contractor near you to ensure the concept is buildable within your target budget.
Before you ever see your design.
When we do reveal your design, and take you on a 3D walkthrough of your backyard, you know that your finished space will feel just as impressive as the virtual walkthrough.
Keep reading for even more info about how we help you transform your outdoor space into the backyard of your dreams, without going over budget.
Here’s how we give you full budget transparency before you even see your design:
1. We ask you for your target construction budget and give you feedback about what amenities are realistic for your yard within that budget range.
2. We create a custom backyard design tailored to you, your space, and your budget.
3. We review your design concept with one of our Preferred Builders, a trusted contractor near you, to get an initial cost estimate.
4. If the estimated cost is more than your target budget, we revise the design with the local contractor until it is within your target budget.
5. We reveal the design to you, along with the rough pricing estimate from the local contractor, so you see exactly how your budget is being used for your new yard.
What To Expect With Your Construction Budget
Every backyard is unique, but understanding what’s possible within different budget ranges helps you make the right decisions for your yard. Here’s a brief look at what’s possible for specific investment levels, including the features and customization that’s typically possible within that range.
$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 luxury 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 approximately 10,000 sq. ft.
Want to phase the build?
You don’t have to do everything all at once.
We design master plans that you can build in phases over time, without losing the big picture. This gives you the freedom to move at your own pace and as your budget allows. Whether you build in one year, or five, the final space feels complete, polished, and perfectly aligned with your lifestyle.
High-Impact, Low-Cost Features
Often, the most luxurious features aren’t the most expensive. You don’t need to allocate a ton of your budget to make a big impact in your backyard design, or to create a “WOW” factor space that stands out.
– Built-In Seating: Seamlessly integrated seating that blends with the architecture of your outdoor living space, creating timeless gathering areas designed for comfort, style, and connection.
– Fire Elements: From sleek fire bowls to dramatic fireplaces, fire features add warmth, ambiance, and a touch of resort-style luxury to your evenings outdoors.
– Curated Plant Palette: A thoughtfully selected mix of native and climate-appropriate plants chosen for beauty, sustainability, and year-round appeal — designed to elevate your yard and thrive in your environment.
– Strategic Lighting: Custom-designed lighting plans that highlight architectural details, create atmosphere, and extend the usability of your outdoor spaces long after the sun goes down.
What Influences Cost The Most?
When it comes to building your luxury backyard, some decisions carry more weight than others. The biggest factors in your total budget are material choices, site access, and custom details.
– Material Choices: The materials you select shape both the look of your yard and your investment. Stone, decking, tile, and finishes all come with options, and choosing the right combination creates impact where it matters most.
– Site Access: How crews and equipment get onto your property makes a difference. A wide-open lot is straightforward. A hillside, narrow drive, or tight access point can add complexity that impacts your budget.
– Custom Details: This is where a yard shifts from standard to unforgettable. Water features, layered lighting, and specialty details refine the design and elevate the overall feel. They add to the budget, but they’re also what make the space truly yours.
Knowing what influences cost allows us to guide you toward the best balance of design, function, and value for your home.
Ready to Design Your Own Resort-Inspired Backyard?
You deserve a yard you love, without going over budget to get it. That’s why we personally vetted a network of trusted contractors — so we can consult a backyard builder near you. This ensures your design not only looks beautiful, but it’s also buildable within your budget.
No guesswork. No stress. No surprise costs. Just the luxury backyard you’ve always wanted.
Ready to get started? Book a free backyard design consultation call with our team by clicking the button below.
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Tips For Your Yard
What’s next in outdoor living? In this video, Foxterra Design shares 5 emerging trends in exterior products that are shaping luxury yards in 2026 and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I design a backyard that stays within budget?
A: At Foxterra Design, your target construction budget drives the design from the start. Every plan is reviewed with a trusted contractor near you, so your dream backyard is both beautiful and buildable.
Q: What features can I include in a $250K–$350K backyard design?
A: In this range, you can expect a resort-style foundation with features like custom seating, fire elements, ambient lighting, and often a small pool.
Q: What’s included in a 3D backyard design walkthrough?
A: Our 3D design tours let you experience your new backyard virtually before construction begins, so there are no surprises between design and reality.
Q: Can I build my luxury backyard in phases?
A: Yes. We create master plans that can be built over time without losing the big-picture vision, whether you phase construction over 1 year or 5.
Q: What factors influence backyard construction costs the most?
A: The biggest cost drivers are material choices, site access, and custom design details like pools, lighting, and water 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.
Today, Foxterra creates resort-style residential environments for clients worldwide, pairing rigorous planning with bold imagination. Their work has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, in Architectural Digest, and other leading design outlets.
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.
