Garden Renovation Checklist: The Best Order for Outdoor Jobs.

Improving a garden often involves several different jobs. You might need to clear an overgrown area, repair a fence, replace a shed, improve drainage, install a new lawn or complete work around the exterior of the house.

Doing those jobs in the wrong order can create unnecessary disruption. New surfaces can be damaged by later construction work, freshly installed lawns can be disturbed by drainage repairs, and stored belongings may need moving several times before the project is finished.

This garden renovation checklist explains how to assess your outdoor space, organise different trades and complete work in a practical order. It is designed for homeowners planning garden improvements in Clitheroe, the Ribble Valley and surrounding areas.

1. Decide What You Want From the Garden

Start by deciding how you want to use the garden once the work is complete.

A family garden may need space for children, pets and outdoor dining. Someone looking for a lower-maintenance garden may prioritise artificial grass, secure fencing and easy-to-clean surfaces. Other homeowners may want better storage, improved access or somewhere comfortable to sit.

Consider whether the finished garden needs:

• A lawn or low-maintenance green space.
• A patio or outdoor seating area.
• Safer space for children or pets.
• More privacy from neighbouring properties.
• Better access to a shed, garage or side entrance.
• Improved drainage after heavy rain.
• Space for bins, bicycles or gardening equipment.
• Outdoor lighting or electrical supplies.
• Fewer steps or easier routes around the garden.

Writing down these priorities makes it easier to avoid spending money on isolated improvements that do not work together.

2. Separate Essential Repairs From New Features

Before choosing new grass, paving or furniture, inspect what is already there.

Garden projects often reveal smaller maintenance jobs that should be completed before decorative work begins. A loose gate, damaged fence panel or unstable shed base may appear minor, but it can interfere with the layout or require access across a newly finished surface later.

Look for:

• Rotten or unstable fence posts.
• Gates that drag, stick or no longer close securely.
• Loose paving and obvious trip hazards.
• Leaking outdoor taps or exposed pipework.
• Damaged shed panels, roofs or bases.
• Blocked drains and gullies.
• Areas where water collects after rain.
• Loose steps, handrails or edging.
• Peeling paint on external woodwork.
• Overgrown shrubs blocking paths or access points.

Divide the list into three categories: work that must be completed, improvements you would like and ideas that can wait. This helps protect the essential budget if unexpected groundwork is required.

3. Check Gutters, Downpipes and Roof Water First

Some garden drainage problems begin above ground.

A leaking gutter or badly positioned downpipe can release a concentrated amount of roof water beside a patio, path or lawn. If the problem is not resolved first, new landscaping may continue to suffer from puddling, saturated ground or staining around the property.

Before starting the garden renovation, check:

• Whether gutters overflow during heavy rain.
• If gutter joints or end caps are leaking.
• Where each downpipe discharges.
• Whether water runs across a path or planned seating area.
• If gullies and drainage channels are clear.
• Whether water is collecting close to the house.

For roofing, guttering or rainwater problems outside the scope of general handyman work, The Odd Job Guy recommends Daniel Roofing and Guttering in Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley.

Completing roof and gutter repairs first also reduces the risk of ladders, scaffolding or falling debris damaging the finished garden later.

4. Clear the Working Area

Contractors need sufficient space to bring in materials, remove waste and use equipment safely. Restricted access can slow the project and make otherwise straightforward jobs more difficult.

Before work begins:

• Remove garden furniture, pots and decorations.
• Empty sheds that are being repaired, moved or replaced.
• Move tools away from excavation and installation areas.
• Cut back vegetation that blocks necessary access.
• Identify plants and features that must be protected.
• Arrange somewhere secure for bicycles and outdoor equipment.
• Tell contractors about narrow paths, steps or restricted entrances.

A general tidy-up can also reveal damaged fences, uneven surfaces and drainage problems that were hidden by furniture or overgrown vegetation.

The Odd Job Guy provides outdoor tidy-ups and garden landscaping in Clitheroe and throughout the Ribble Valley, including pruning, hedge trimming, garden clearance, fence and gate maintenance, patio cleaning and other smaller outdoor jobs.

5. Arrange Temporary Storage Where Necessary

Not every property has a spare garage or room where outdoor belongings can be kept during a renovation.

Temporary storage may be useful when:

• A garage needs clearing to provide contractor access.
• A shed is being demolished or replaced.
• Expensive tools need protecting during the work.
• Garden furniture would otherwise sit outside in poor weather.
• Several rooms or outdoor areas are being renovated together.
• Materials need moving away from children or pets.

Trying to keep everything in the garden can create obstacles and result in belongings being moved repeatedly between different stages of the project.

For larger clearances, The Odd Job Guy recommends ACS container storage near Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley. Its drive-up units provide a practical option for temporarily storing household belongings, garden equipment, furniture or trade materials while work is underway.

6. Check Access, Drainage and Underground Services

Once the area is clear, the underlying layout can be assessed properly.

Before excavation begins, identify known drains, inspection covers, water supplies and electrical cables. Contractors should also understand how materials and machinery will reach the working area.

Check:

• Whether materials can fit through gates and side passages.
• If steps or narrow corners limit access.
• Where drains and inspection covers are located.
• Whether outdoor taps and electrical supplies will be retained.
• If cables or pipes may cross areas being excavated.
• Which direction the garden slopes.
• Where surface water currently collects or travels.

If you are considering outdoor lighting, sockets, a powered shed or other electrical features, raise this before paving and landscaping are completed. Any new circuits or substantial electrical work should be designed and installed by an appropriately qualified electrician.

7. Complete Demolition and Heavy Groundwork

Messy, disruptive work should be completed before new finishes are installed.

This may include:

• Removing an old shed or damaged structure.
• Lifting unwanted paving.
• Excavating unsuitable ground.
• Removing old fence posts and concrete.
• Installing drainage or underground ducts.
• Preparing bases for patios, paths or sheds.
• Building retaining edges or structural features.

This stage may uncover poor ground, buried materials or damaged drainage that could not be seen during the initial inspection. Leave some flexibility in the budget and schedule in case additional preparation is required.

If a new shed will form part of the finished garden, The Odd Job Guy also provides shed assembly services in Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley.

8. Repair Fences, Gates and Garden Structures

Boundary repairs should normally be completed before delicate planting, new lawns or final decorative work.

Replacing a fence post can involve excavation, concrete and repeated access along the boundary. Leaving it until the end could disturb a new lawn or damage the edges of recently installed paving.

Common pre-landscaping repairs include:

• Replacing damaged fence panels.
• Securing loose posts.
• Adjusting gates and latches.
• Repairing shed panels and doors.
• Treating exposed timber.
• Cleaning paths and patios.
• Repairing raised beds and timber edging.

Existing fences, sheds and timber structures should also be inspected before painting. Applying a new finish over rotten or unstable timber will not solve the underlying problem.

9. Agree Finished Levels Before Installing New Surfaces

Paths, patios, lawns and borders must meet at sensible levels.

Poorly planned transitions can create raised edges, awkward steps or low points where water collects. Problems are more likely when different contractors complete individual parts of the garden without agreeing the final layout.

Before the surfaces are installed, confirm:

• The finished height of patios and pathways.
• How surfaces will meet doorways and steps.
• Where drainage channels will sit.
• The height of lawn edges and borders.
• Whether gates will open over the new surface.
• How water will move away from the house.
• Where sheds, bins and garden furniture will stand.

A simple written plan or marked-up photograph can help everyone understand the intended result.

10. Complete Paths, Patios and Hard Landscaping

Hard landscaping should generally be completed before the final lawn, planting and decorative finishes.

Paving and surfacing work can require excavation, compacted bases, cutting equipment and the movement of heavy materials. Completing this first protects softer areas from unnecessary traffic and makes it easier to establish accurate lawn and border levels.

At this stage, check that:

• Paths provide practical routes through the garden.
• Patios have enough room for the intended furniture.
• Steps and changes in level are clearly defined.
• Drainage moves water in a suitable direction.
• Edging is secure and properly aligned.
• Access to drains and utilities remains available.

Allow the appropriate curing or settlement time before moving furniture, planters or equipment back into place.

11. Install the Lawn and Finish the Soft Landscaping

Once the disruptive work is complete, attention can turn to lawns, planting and the softer parts of the garden.

If artificial grass is being installed, its groundwork, drainage and perimeter edges should already have been considered during the earlier planning stages. The turf should not simply be placed over uneven or poorly prepared ground.

For specialist installations, The Odd Job Guy recommends As Good As Grass, artificial grass installers in Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley.

Planning the lawn alongside surrounding paths and patios helps produce cleaner edges, consistent levels and better drainage. It also avoids installing artificial grass only to lift it again when an adjoining surface is replaced.

Once the main surfaces are finished, complete:

• Planting and mulching.
• Decorative stone or bark areas.
• Smaller border repairs.
• Furniture placement.
• Pots and ornaments.
• Final cleaning and waste removal.

12. Complete the Smaller Finishing Jobs

Small jobs often make the difference between a garden that is technically finished and one that is comfortable to use.

Typical finishing work may include:

• Adjusting gates after the ground level has changed.
• Installing shelves or hooks inside a shed.
• Securing trellis and lightweight screening.
• Hanging planters or garden decorations.
• Assembling outdoor furniture.
• Touching up painted woodwork.
• Repairing minor gaps in fencing or edging.
• Cleaning paths and surrounding surfaces.

These are exactly the types of jobs that can remain unfinished after larger contractors have left. The Odd Job Guy provides general handyman and odd job services to help finish smaller repairs, adjustments and installations around the property.

The Best Order for Garden Renovation Work

Questions to Ask Before Booking Garden Work

Clear responsibilities are particularly important when several people will be working on the same project.

Ask each contractor:

• Exactly which preparation work is included?
• Who will remove waste and unwanted materials?
• Who is responsible for drainage and finished levels?
• Does anything need moving before work begins?
• Will access be required through the house or garage?
• Are materials, equipment and delivery costs included?
• What happens if hidden ground problems are discovered?
• How long should surfaces be left before use?
• Which contractor needs to complete their work next?
• What maintenance will be required afterwards?

Garden Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

Some of the most common problems occur because individual improvements are planned separately.

• Installing the lawn too early: Heavy materials and repeated foot traffic may damage it.
• Ignoring roof water: A leaking downpipe can continue saturating newly landscaped ground.
• Forgetting access: Large materials may not fit through the chosen route.
• Hiding inspection covers: Drains and utilities must remain accessible.
• Leaving fence repairs until last: Excavation can disturb new borders and lawns.
• Choosing finishes before agreeing levels: This can create awkward steps and drainage problems.
• Underestimating storage: Furniture and tools can obstruct contractors and become damaged.
• Booking trades independently: Contractors may arrive before the area is ready for their work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should Be Done First in a Garden Renovation?

Begin with an inspection and a clear plan. Roof-water problems, drainage, access, clearance, demolition and underground services should normally be resolved before new lawns, patios and decorative finishes are installed.

Should Fencing Be Replaced Before Landscaping?

Usually, yes. Fence replacement can require excavation, concrete and access along the boundary. Completing it first reduces the risk of damaging new lawns, planting and decorative surfaces.

Should a Shed Be Installed Before Artificial Grass?

The shed base and intended position should be agreed before the artificial grass is installed. Whether the shed itself is assembled first will depend on the design and access, but its foundations, levels and surrounding edges should not be left until afterwards.

Where Can Garden Furniture Be Kept During Renovation?

Small items may be kept in a garage or spare room. For larger projects, a temporary storage unit can provide secure space for outdoor furniture, tools, bicycles and belongings until the garden is ready.

Who Should Organise the Different Garden Contractors?

The homeowner or main project contractor should maintain a clear schedule showing who is responsible for each stage. Every contractor should know the agreed levels, access arrangements and which jobs must be completed before they arrive.

Can a Handyman Help Prepare a Garden for Landscaping?

Yes. Depending on the work required, a handyman may be able to assist with garden clearance, pruning, minor fence and gate repairs, shed work, patio cleaning and other smaller preparation jobs. Specialist structural, electrical, roofing or major landscaping work should be handled by the appropriate contractor.

How Should I Budget for a Garden Renovation?

Separate essential repairs and groundwork from decorative choices. Obtain itemised quotations and retain part of the budget for unexpected ground, drainage or access problems that may only become visible after clearance begins.

Do I Need Planning Permission for Garden Improvements?

Many routine garden repairs and landscaping projects do not require planning permission, but restrictions can apply to structures, raised platforms, walls, fences, protected trees and properties with reduced permitted development rights. Check with the relevant local authority before beginning work if there is any uncertainty.

Need Help Preparing Your Garden in Clitheroe?

The Odd Job Guy helps homeowners complete the smaller repairs, maintenance jobs and practical improvements that keep outdoor spaces tidy and usable.

My gardening and landscaping services in the Ribble Valley include garden tidy-ups, pruning, hedge maintenance, fence and gate repairs, shed work, patio cleaning and general outdoor maintenance.

I cover Clitheroe, Whalley, Waddington, Chatburn, Langho and communities throughout the Ribble Valley.

Contact The Odd Job Guy to discuss the jobs you need completing and request a straightforward, no-obligation quotation.