Single mum saves £2k on garden transformation using DIY hacks and bargain shops

Lynda Chadwick says she “hated” her garden and wanted to do it up as she hadn’t sat outside in the five years she’d live in her property – now it looks completely different

A mum who was quoted £2,700 for a garden makeover managed to do the job with a friend for just £500.

Lynda Chadwick, 54, from York, was able to save an impressive £2,200 by taking on the project herself.

The mum-of-three says she “hated” her garden and wanted to do it up as she hadn’t sat outside in the five years she’d live in her property.

She was inspired to give her yard a makeover after seeing garden transformations on the Facebook group Gardens On A Budget.

Speaking to LatestDeals.co.uk, Lynda said: “I decided to do my own makeover with help from my friend Sharon to try and make it look better.

“It was Sharon who pushed me into it, so we did it together. I’m a single mum so had no help from men, and even though I have three sons, they didn’t help as I wanted it to be my project.”

Lynda’s garden was originally an abandoned space, with a paved area covered in debris and a sun lounger on the grass.

She had wanted to get the professionals in, but the quote put her off.

Lynda was also able to cut back on costs by getting some products she needed for free, or cheap, from friends and family.

Have you transformed your home on the cheap and want to share how you did it? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk

This meant she could afford some of the more expensive items, including stones which were £75 a tonne.

She also purchased log rolls from The Range at £5.99 each, although she only had to buy five as she got seven rolls free from her friend.

The fence paint came from B&Q and was £24 a tin, and Lynda picked up a barbecue for £30 and a sun bed for £50 from Facebook Marketplace.

The other costs involved were two black rolls to go under the stones, which were £10.50 each, and she paid £60 for someone to take away all of the dug up topsoil.

Lynda said the project took three weeks to complete and says the hard work was worth it in the end.

She said: “The first step was to dig up about five tonnes of soil and grass. There was also a concrete post buried under the soil, so that had to come up.

“I dug up all the paving slabs and killed all the weeds, then put black roll down before wheelbarrowing in three tonnes of stones.

“Next up, we painted the fence and replaced two panels that were broken. I bought lights for each post and a log roll to edge it all.

“I also got hold of several plants and a palm tree for free – luckily, my dad was moving, so he gave them all to me and that saved me a fair bit of money.

“The project was definitely hard going at times. Halfway through, I did say I wish I’d never started it and I could see no end.

“But Sharon said ‘come on, we can do this!’ So we did. I’m so happy with the result and finally I have a beautiful space to sit out in after five years.”

Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, said: “Wow, Lynda should be really proud of her work here. It’s lush!

“The labour definitely sounds like it was hard going but she got through it so props to her. Now her garden is a wonderful space to sit out in and no doubt an inspiration to others.”