An Honest BACQYARD Review – Working to design our dream outdoor living space
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of BACQYARD. All opinions are 100% mine.
For a while now, we’ve been dreaming of transforming our outdoor space into something both functional and beautiful. Our main goal was to build an above-ground pool with built-in decking, so it wouldn’t have the typical look of an above-ground pool, but instead fit seamlessly into our home’s aesthetic. We also envisioned an outdoor fireplace, a cozy dining area, and a built-in grill for entertaining on our back porch.
With these ideas in mind, we set out to find a company that could not only help us bring our vision to life, but also provide creative ideas (beyond what we could find on Pinterest) that we hadn’t considered. After interviewing several companies, including one widely pushed on Instagram, we finally found exactly what we were looking for with BACQYARD.
Why We Chose BACQYARD
Choosing a design company was no small decision, especially for a project of this size. We interviewed both BACQYARD and a few of their competitors, and while everyone offered similar design services, there were two key reasons we ultimately chose BACQYARD.
First, BACQYARD allowed us to have multiple video and phone calls with our actual landscape designer. This level of personal interaction was invaluable in ensuring that our design was perfect. Being able to communicate our ideas directly and receive instant feedback really streamlined the entire process.
The second reason was the ability to choose our designer. BACQYARD gave us three landscape designer options, each with their own portfolio and highlighted strengths. We were able to select the designer whose style best fit our vision. In contrast, the other companies didn’t provide this option, which made BACQYARD stand out.
We were excited about our decision to move forward with BACQYARD and chose the Backyard package, which includes patios, decks, pergolas and pools, including the side yard. The various plans provided by BACQYARD are VERY affordable! We had previously used a local landscape designer that was easily twice as much for a flat, black and white, 2D landscape layout and this service blew that out of the water!
Our package not only included the Birdseye view layout, but actual plant specifics and a “walkable” 3D rendering, which was immensely helpful for a visual such as myself!
Lastly, we took advantage of a 40% OFF promotion BACQYARD was offering, which brought our design package to $927!
The BACQYARD Experience
From the moment we signed up, BACQYARD made the process easy. Here’s a step-by-step look at how they helped took our backyard dreams and brought them one step closer to reality:
- 1. Choosing Our Designer
After purchasing the online backyard design package, BACQYARD introduced us to three different designers. Each designer provided their own unique portfolios and areas of expertise. After reviewing their previous work and understanding their design approach, we chose the one that best aligned with our style.
- 2. Initial Consultation
The first steps with our chosen designer included taking a design quiz. The quiz helped our designer to better understand our vision and goals for our particular outdoor space. Additionally, we uploaded photos of your property (and survey drawings since we had them).
BACQYARD made this very simple and provided easy-to-follow instructions on our client dashboard. In addition to this, we also shared a saved board of inspirational photos and spaces that we loved via a Pinterest.
Once our BACQYARD contact had the above requirements, we set up a video chat with our principal designer where we discussed our ideas for the pool, decking, fireplace, seating area, and built-in grill. We shared live video from different angles of our home and explained the look and feel we wanted to achieve.
- 3. 3D Design Renderings
Once we selected our designer, they got to work creating a 3D rendering of our new backyard. First, they sent over the basic 3D model of our home to make sure they had captured it correctly. Once the 3D model was approved, they began working on our initial design concepts.
It took roughly 2 weeks to receive the initial design and we were blown away by the detail and thoughtfulness that went into it! The renderings allowed us to visualize every aspect of the design—from the classy built-in pool decking to the fireplace and cozy outdoor seating area. Having these 3D images really helped us make final adjustments before moving forward.
- 4. Video Calls for Real-Time Feedback
Throughout the process, we had multiple video calls with our designer. This allowed us to make adjustments and provide feedback in real-time. These calls were crucial for ensuring that every detail of the design matched our vision. We, honestly, didn’t have much to change as our designer nailed it! We did, however, add in a bit more shade and supplied her with the above ground pool that we will be purchasing for the project.
- 5. Cost Considerations
We provided BACQYARD with an approximate budget and appreciated how our designer educated us on the typical costs of each element. When she realized that some of our wishlist items would exceed our initial budget, she had an open and honest discussion with us. After reviewing the options together, we decided to move forward with a design that included everything we envisioned, knowing we could phase certain items (such as plantings or the outdoor kitchen) in over time as our budget allowed. While we could have scaled back our ideas to better fit our budget, we liked the idea of having a finished plan for our dream backyard!
BACQYARD also provided a detailed budget (based on national averages), which gave us full transparency and confidence in the overall cost. We are in the current process of gathering contractor estimates from 3 companies, one of which was provided by BACQYARD’s from their list of trusted vendors.
- 6. Project Timeline
We were also given a clear timeline for when we could expect the design process to be completed. Knowing exactly this has helped us to create a realistic timeline for our project and gives us realistic timeframes for when we might be able to schedule contractors and ultimately enjoy our new space. This was an important factor in choosing BACQYARD, and their commitment to meeting deadlines has been impressive, often completing their designs ahead of time.
- 7. Customer Service
One of the best parts of working with BACQYARD has been their outstanding customer service. From the initial consultation to the design phase, every interaction has been smooth, professional, and focused on making sure we were happy with the process.
Final Thoughts on BACQYARD
We couldn’t be more excited to get started on our new outdoor space. BACQYARD’s ability to provide us with personalized design services, 3D renderings, and flexible communication made them the perfect choice for our project. The fact that we were able to select a designer who truly understood our style, coupled with the ease of video call feedback, gave us confidence that the final product will be exactly what we envisioned.
If you’re looking to transform your outdoor space and want a company that will collaborate with you every step of the way, we highly recommend BACQYARD. Their combination of creative design, transparency, and customer service has made this a dream project for us!
Before and After Photos
Before: Images of our yard in its current state.
After: Stunning 3D renderings from BACQYARD, showing the built-in pool, pool side bar seating & sun deck.
Before: Images of our yard in its current state.
After: Stunning 3D renderings from BACQYARD, showing the outdoor dining, fireplace, and seating area.
Before: Images of our yard in its current state.
After: Stunning 3D renderings from BACQYARD, showing the fireplace and seating area.
Pinterest Pin
Don’t forget to pin this post to follow our backyard transformation journey! Our new space will be perfect for family gatherings and cozy outdoor evenings, and we can’t wait to share the final results once they are complete next year.
In summary, BACQYARD’s ability to provide personal attention, designer choice, and realistic 3D renderings set them apart, and we can’t wait to see the project come to life!! Stay tuned!
