Dan Cox, a content creator from Leytonstone, East London, saved himself £12,000 by transforming his unremarkable back garden into a ‘peaceful, relaxing’ retreat
A savvy content creator has managed to save a whopping £12,000 by transforming his ordinary back garden into a tranquil haven. Dan Cox, a content creator hailing from Leytonstone, East London, had dreams of revamping the garden at his home, lovingly dubbed ‘The Hitchcock House’.
Like most, he sought out landscaping quotes, only to be taken aback by estimates ranging from £15,000 to £20,000. Undeterred, Dan decided to take control and, with the assistance of his partner and his partner’s dad, he completely overhauled his back garden for less than £10,000.
In an exclusive chat with Gardener’s Dream, Dan shared how he achieved his dream garden on a budget. To keep costs down, he knew the internet would be his ally.
“We vigorously searched the internet for the best quality timber and materials at the lowest price,” he explained. Alongside Google, sites like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree proved invaluable in sourcing affordable decor and materials.
“We got the marble for the coffee table from Facebook Marketplace and even a few large plants,” he revealed. Dan recommends keeping tabs on these platforms as they often hide gems that can be snapped up for a fraction of their retail price.
Dan had a crystal-clear vision for his garden oasis: create a tranquil retreat that seamlessly extends from the house, offering a serene break from the fast pace of the capital. “We were inspired by the feeling of being on holiday,” Dan said.
He wanted to forge a sanctuary where he and his partner could relax and soak up tranquillity as they would while away on vacation. The garden flaunts an exotic flair, with vibrant colours that merge effortlessly with the home’s moody Georgian vibe.
Dan maintains that frugality in renovations doesn’t mean cutting corners on quality. “Don’t skimp on the materials that have the most impact,” he said.
His big-ticket purchase, the tiles and fittings – a £4,000 splurge making up roughly half his total budget – was for him a worthwhile investment, enhancing the luxe feel of the space: ‘the tiles make a huge difference and feel very luxurious’.
To compensate for this expense, Dan economised elsewhere, using cost-effective timber for the outdoor kitchen and pergola framework. “We could have easily spent thousands on the outdoor kitchen if we went down the route of doing a cement structure and worktops,” he explained.
Instead, Dan and his partner chose budget-friendly options without compromising on style.
While Dan and his partner took on the majority of the renovation themselves, they did encounter a few hiccups along the way. “I broke my hand in four places trying to build the outdoor kitchen,” Dan said. “I was drilling holes for the spotlights in the roof panel and had a little disaster with the drill.”
Despite this setback, the project carried on. By the end of the renovation, Dan’s total expenditure was around £8,000 – less than half of what the original quotes had predicted, saving approximately £12,000.
The key to keeping costs low was smart sourcing of materials and prioritising where to invest. Dan also had some advice for those considering ceramic tiles: “If you’re getting ceramic tiles, invest in a good jet washer! Keeping the luxurious tiles looking pristine requires regular maintenance, and a good jet washer makes all the difference.”
Dan’s garden is now a tranquil haven that showcases both his creative vision and shrewd budgeting skills. His experience demonstrates that with a bit of elbow grease, clever shopping and determination, you can create your dream garden without emptying your wallet.
