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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to take out a £30k personal loan to revamp our odd garden?

117 replies

GardenDeLuxe · 28/03/2024 15:39

Would you??

We've had a rough quote from a gardener and this is the ballpark. We would have to finance it... at least a big chunk of it.

I've lived in my house for over 15 years and the garden has always been pretty rubbish. We have always struggled to know what to do with it. It has a strange plot shape so consists of multiple triangle shapes around the house. We are on a hill as well, so it's on lots of different levels so feels very disjointed.

We have 8 years left on our mortgage (£55k balance)... I think the current rate is currently similar to a personal loan. So, it seems a personal loan is a better way to go??? Seems 'frivolous' to take out a personal loan somehow - but then we would have a horrible garden forevermore otherwise??!

AIBU to just take out a loan as you only live once?!

OP posts:
Original poster
GardenDeLuxe · 28/03/2024 16:27

Candleabra · 28/03/2024 16:17

Honestly I wouldn’t. 30k is a lot vs your outstanding mortgage, especially as you don’t have the cash up front. Tbh I’m not surprised at the quote if there’s a lot of hard landscaping. It’s worth shopping around to find a proper gardener. Most landscaping companies are builders who really push the hard materials, that’s what they know. A gardener will assess your landscape and look at plants trees and shrubs. You can make a lot of savings by buying smaller plants that will grow into the garden over time (and it often doesn’t take as long as you think - a couple of years will make s big difference)
You don’t have to live with an awful garden but there’s a middle ground between that and a 30k design,

Yes, this is a proper gardener with the design expertise and who has a portfolio that made me think they could do a nice job on it. It is a lot of work... e.g. new entrances, adding gates, stairs, cladding stuff.... Perhaps we look at a paid design and consider doing it in stages.

OP posts:
GoldenDoor · 28/03/2024 16:30

Seriously do it. Life is short and if you can afford the payments on TV e load or mortgage extension why wouldn’t you do it? It will bring you happiness and increase the value of your house. Even if it won’t I create it vie the cost you spent it will bring you joy. I know people that have spent more on an extension than the increase in house price it would give as they don’t intend to move and quality of life was worth it

Beezknees · 28/03/2024 16:32

Well personally no because I couldn't afford it, but if you can why not.

Nosleepforthismum · 28/03/2024 16:33

I think the general rule of thumb is to spend no more than 10% of the house value on your garden. I personally don’t think 30k is an unreasonable quote. I do know that lots of people are shocked (me included) at the price of landscaping a garden, especially if there needs to be earth moved around to make areas level, retaining walls built, all the prep work to lay slabs… we spent £12,000 on our garden and it was still mud at that stage. We’ll be at the £20k mark once it’s all completely finished (and DH is a builder so did a lot of it himself)

My garden, even though not quite finished, brings me so much joy and I have zero regrets. Take out the loan if you can afford it and enjoy having a beautiful garden.

Original poster
GardenDeLuxe · 28/03/2024 16:33

wombleberry · 28/03/2024 15:53

£30k debt for a garden? Nope, no way. Will it add £30k in value to the house when you sell? If not, you'd be crazy to take on debt for it.

I'd do it bit by bit myself to be honest, with maybe some ideas from an online garden designer or landscaper who will provide plans and ideas for a small price, that you could work towards executing yourself over time.

I previously paid for a garden designer to do a design remotely (via Fiverr) and it looked nice enough but wouldn't have worked. We need someone to be able to come and take a proper look to understand the space, give ideas... and understand the best materials to use, and who locally can supply them... We've been a bit stumped!

OP posts:
babytakemehome · 28/03/2024 16:36

Can you post a photo?
Is it really a 'garden' or just dead space around your house? We have a couple of those

Original poster
GardenDeLuxe · 28/03/2024 16:37

GoldenDoor · 28/03/2024 16:30

Seriously do it. Life is short and if you can afford the payments on TV e load or mortgage extension why wouldn’t you do it? It will bring you happiness and increase the value of your house. Even if it won’t I create it vie the cost you spent it will bring you joy. I know people that have spent more on an extension than the increase in house price it would give as they don’t intend to move and quality of life was worth it

Yes, this is what one part of my brain is thinking! The garden currently brings me down (I'm quite sensitive to the vibe of an environment!) and I'd love to wave a wand and make it nicer.

OP posts:
Janehasamane · 28/03/2024 16:37

the election will make no difference, nothing changes right after .

personally I’d wonder if it was so important and you can afford the repayments why did you not save to do it. As something seems adrift, what do you do with your disposable income now that has meant you were unable to save this?

Original poster
GardenDeLuxe · 28/03/2024 16:39

babytakemehome · 28/03/2024 16:36

Can you post a photo?
Is it really a 'garden' or just dead space around your house? We have a couple of those

Yes, much of it is dead space currently, but we can make it more functional and have a much better flow. No pic sorry, but just imagine a bunch of triangles... all on different levels and the back garden triangle being the nicest!

OP posts:
Original poster
GardenDeLuxe · 28/03/2024 16:40

Janehasamane · 28/03/2024 16:37

the election will make no difference, nothing changes right after .

personally I’d wonder if it was so important and you can afford the repayments why did you not save to do it. As something seems adrift, what do you do with your disposable income now that has meant you were unable to save this?

Well, a really lovely outdoor space is a 'nice to have' thing really, isn't it?

OP posts:
Janehasamane · 28/03/2024 16:43

GardenDeLuxe · 28/03/2024 16:40

Well, a really lovely outdoor space is a 'nice to have' thing really, isn't it?

Show quote history

Hmmm ok you’ve dodged then question, which is telling in itself.. as the question got to the route of basic and realistic affordability

babytakemehome · 28/03/2024 16:44

GardenDeLuxe · 28/03/2024 16:39

Yes, much of it is dead space currently, but we can make it more functional and have a much better flow. No pic sorry, but just imagine a bunch of triangles... all on different levels and the back garden triangle being the nicest!

Show quote history

I mean, if you can afford it, and can pay it back, YANBU, do whatever you want.
But IMO dead space no matter how pretty it is won't increase the value of the house. Not only do people want one big space it also sounds like a pain having to maintain little bits everywhere.
It sounds like you can joint up the triangles into one big space? If so, that would be a worthwhile investment.
I live on a hill too and a couple of houses have multilevel gardens. People are put off by them. Stairs/gates etc don't matter really. Do you have a picture of the ideal vision?
Can you level it to make is smoother..?

Original poster
GardenDeLuxe · 28/03/2024 16:44

InTheTimeItTookMeToEatAnEggSandwich · 28/03/2024 15:58

When all's said and done, it will still be multiple triangle shapes around the house and on a hill. What are they going to do that will make it £30k better?

This.
Imagine how gutted you’d feel paying back £30k and still being unhappy with the garden.

That's true. I suppose it's possible that I'd think it was much prettier but I didn't want to spend tons of extra time outside!

OP posts:
ItsTapasTime · 28/03/2024 16:45

Go for it!
We had our garden professionally landscaped a few years ago and have never regretted it.
We went with the first landscaping company that quoted. It was a good gut feeling and we knew instantly that they were the one.
with regards to finance, can you add to your mortgage and up the payments for the final 8 years?
We get so much pleasure from the garden now. It was worth every penny (££’s)

Original poster
GardenDeLuxe · 28/03/2024 16:46

ItsTapasTime · 28/03/2024 16:45

Go for it!
We had our garden professionally landscaped a few years ago and have never regretted it.
We went with the first landscaping company that quoted. It was a good gut feeling and we knew instantly that they were the one.
with regards to finance, can you add to your mortgage and up the payments for the final 8 years?
We get so much pleasure from the garden now. It was worth every penny (££’s)

Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
GardenDeLuxe · 28/03/2024 16:48

Janehasamane · 28/03/2024 16:43

Hmmm ok you’ve dodged then question, which is telling in itself.. as the question got to the route of basic and realistic affordability

Show quote history

???!

We've used our disposable income on other things - including overpaying on the mortgage, investing in pensions, holidays, food, bills, clothes, life, etc etc etc!

OP posts:
MissusKay · 28/03/2024 16:53

You need to be realistic about the maintenance. Even if it's mostly landscaping it will still need to be maintained.

Hellogoodbyehello4321 · 28/03/2024 16:55

Tbh while I wouldn't normally think spending 30k on a garden is a good idea, you have a small mortgage and a good few years of working still a head of you so assuming you aren't planning on stopping work imminently and are on half decent salaries, it seems like you would easily be able to afford it especially since you are planning on staying in that house.

If it makes you happy then I'd say go for it. I caveat that by saying a) as long as you have decent pensions on track and b) it isn't a disproportionate amount compared to the value of your house.

Original poster
GardenDeLuxe · 28/03/2024 16:56

babytakemehome · 28/03/2024 16:44

I mean, if you can afford it, and can pay it back, YANBU, do whatever you want.
But IMO dead space no matter how pretty it is won't increase the value of the house. Not only do people want one big space it also sounds like a pain having to maintain little bits everywhere.
It sounds like you can joint up the triangles into one big space? If so, that would be a worthwhile investment.
I live on a hill too and a couple of houses have multilevel gardens. People are put off by them. Stairs/gates etc don't matter really. Do you have a picture of the ideal vision?
Can you level it to make is smoother..?

Edited
Show quote history

We're not planning to move... but, yes, I get your point of dead space being dead space. Potentially, we would reconfigure the spaces making the large-ish front garden smaller and the side larger.

There would be quite a lot of levelling. However, we couldn't have it all on one level as the road is higher. So, if we have a new entrance and enlarge the side space, it definitely would need steps (which I wasn't sure on, to be perfectly honest).

OP posts:
MissPeachyKeen · 28/03/2024 16:57

Yanbu to pay for a proper designer to come, assess the space and come up with a good design but I'd be more comfort with taking that and doing it yourself, or doing it over 3 years so breaking down the cost.

I would baulk at a £30k loan.

Original poster
GardenDeLuxe · 28/03/2024 16:59

Hellogoodbyehello4321 · 28/03/2024 16:55

Tbh while I wouldn't normally think spending 30k on a garden is a good idea, you have a small mortgage and a good few years of working still a head of you so assuming you aren't planning on stopping work imminently and are on half decent salaries, it seems like you would easily be able to afford it especially since you are planning on staying in that house.

If it makes you happy then I'd say go for it. I caveat that by saying a) as long as you have decent pensions on track and b) it isn't a disproportionate amount compared to the value of your house.

It's about 10% about the house value. I don't like the idea of taking on the debt, but perhaps it's worth it, is what I'm thinking?!

I think we are OK on the pensions front.

OP posts:
Original poster
GardenDeLuxe · 28/03/2024 17:01

MissPeachyKeen · 28/03/2024 16:57

Yanbu to pay for a proper designer to come, assess the space and come up with a good design but I'd be more comfort with taking that and doing it yourself, or doing it over 3 years so breaking down the cost.

I would baulk at a £30k loan.

This is definitely the more sensible plan, although we are not ones for DIY, it has to be said.

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 28/03/2024 17:08

I think you also need to get the price for ongoing gardener visits regularly once it's done if you aren't keen gardeners, 5 years after it's done it could look like a weedy mess if you aren't interested in it's up keep.

Hellogoodbyehello4321 · 28/03/2024 17:17

In which case it does seem a lot on a 300k house. Perhaps if you could save up for a year or two first to limit the amount you'd need to borrow? Or is there a way that they could do some but not all of the design?

That being said, If you plan to live in that house for another 20 years and believe you will get enjoyment out of it, then you may decide its worth it. It may mean you need to be prepared to work an extra couple of years as obviously it's 30k you can't overpay your mortgage with, but if you're prepared to do that than I think that's ok.

I do think it's a lot to spend in proportion to your house value so I think it comes purely down to whether the £xxx repayment is worth the enjoyment it will bring.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 28/03/2024 17:24

You need to be realistic about the maintenance. Even if it's mostly landscaping it will still need to be maintained

This. Also, definitely get more than one quote.