5 Outdoor Glow-Ups You’ll Want to Steal This Summer

Trade category: Handymen Services — Decking Restoration & Repair

Before: Cara’s 20-year-old deck was past its prime. Rotten wood and uneven concrete underneath made it an eyesore, not to mention a hazard for hosting

The vision: “Initially, it was just to fix it — just like for like,” Cara shares. But as the work progressed, her plans grew to include a pergola, creating a stunning space perfect for relaxing or entertaining.

Choosing a tradie: For Cara, communication was key. “I needed someone I could talk to openly, especially if issues came up during the project,” she says. Price was also a factor, but finding a balance between affordability and quality sealed the deal.

Tradie: Shoutout to Darren from Serenity Landscapes.

What the job entailed: The tradies leveled the foundation, replaced the deck with durable kwila timber, and even installed a pergola as an add-on to complete the look.

“They gave me various options about how to raise or lower the deck.

“They used these manual levelers, so they took quite a bit of time to make sure it was level before putting the deck down. If I tried to do that myself, I don’t think I would get the same result. There’s quite a lot of things involved.”

The result: An enjoyable experience and a beautiful, elevated deck that has become the heart of her outdoor space.

“They were great with my kids and no questions were dumb questions. They are a good bunch and we really enjoyed having them around the property while they were working on it,” Cara says.

“They didn’t just want to get the job done — they were particular about making sure it looked great and that it will,” Cara says.

Cost: Around $25,000 for the deck and $5,000 for the pergola.

Trade category: Painting & Decorating — Exterior Painting

Before: Wayne’s backyard fence had been neglected for years — it was time for a refresh.

The vision: “We’d been planning to fix it for a long time,” Wayne says. “It was built in quite an awkward spot, but we knew a good coat of paint could make all the difference.”

Choosing a tradie: Wayne used Builderscrack to compare multiple options.

“There was no challenge throughout the project and he’s really comfortable to be around when doing the work.”

Tradie: Shoutout to Korts from White Rose Painting Limited.

What the job entailed: Over the course of just one day, the tradie applied three coats of stain to ensure the fence looked vibrant and stayed protected from the elements.

“The tradie completed three coats and it was two sided, so he did more than he had to as the work involved more than just staining ” Wayne says.

The result: A fresh, polished fence that ties the backyard together.

Cost: Just under $2,500 for an 18.5m fence, including some extra prep work. 

Trade category: Fencing & Gates — Timber Fencing & Gates

Before: Cam needed a quick solution to secure his dogs in the backyard. His backyard fence had gaps, making it unsafe for his furry friends to roam freely.

The vision: “It was a simple job — I just wanted something that worked and was done fast,” Cam explained.

Choosing a tradie: With speed being a top priority, Cam focused on finding someone available to start right away.

“It is good! The guy that I hired was a good communicator.”

Builderscrack’s genuine reviews from other homeowners helped him identify a tradie who could deliver on both quality and timing.

Tradie: Shoutout to Beau from Prime Developments Nz.

What the job entailed: The tradie installed a sturdy gate and fencing that blended seamlessly with the rest of the yard.

“He communicated well and got it done just two days after I posted the job,” Cam says.

The result: A secure and stylish backyard where Cam’s dogs can play, and Cam can relax knowing his furry friends are safe.

“Everything went smoothly and within the timeframe, so I was quite happy,” Cam shares.

Cost: $850.

Trade category: Gardening

Before: Judith’s garden had become unruly and hard to manage. Overgrown hedges and weeds made it less than inviting.

“We use our garden regularly as a place for family and friends to gather around.”

The vision: “I’ve been pretty busy at work, so it’s been hard to put the time in. I wanted to tidy everything up so it would be a nice space and be ready for Christmas,” Judith says.

Choosing a tradie: Judith prioritised experience and trust.

“I looked at reviews, and completed jobs to see if they were what I was looking for, since I had a vision to potentially bring them on for repeated maintenance.”

“who can plan out the work and let me know clearly what they are going to be doing because I wasn’t going to be around during the time they were coming in, so I needed to know that I could trust them,” Judith shares.

Tradie: Shoutout to Dallas from Vantage Point Property Services.

What the job entailed: Over two days, the landscaper tackled weeding, hedge trimming, and shaping, turning a chaotic space into a beautifully organised garden.

The result: A clean, inviting garden ready for summer entertaining.

“There were few things missed from my end – but that was my fault for not being explicit. They did send me an outline on what they would do and I was very pleased with the result,” Judith says.

Cost: Around $800 plus GST.

Trade category: Landscaping — Astroturf & Synthetic Grass

Before: Max’s small rental backyard was hard to maintain, and the tenants were struggling to keep the grass tidy.

“The backyard was only accessible through the house and the lawn is not really a size where you want to use a lawnmower, plus there’s no storage outside,” Max says.

The vision: “We wanted something easier for tenants to manage, so we decided on artificial grass,” Max says.

Choosing a tradie: Max leaned on Builderscrack’s reviews and quotes from tradies to make his decision on who to hire.

“I usually look for someone with good feedback and photos of past projects. For this one project, cost was a bigger factor since it’s a rental property, but I always do my research on their workmanship” Max explains.

Getting multiple quotes also helped him understand pricing and set realistic expectations for the job

Tradie: Shoutout to Curtis from Winsor Landscaping.

What the job entailed: Within a day, the tradie installed artificial turf, creating a clean, no-maintenance solution that’s both practical and visually appealing.

The result: A transformed space that’s now functional and tenant-friendly.

“It’s really good. I wanted somebody that could do the job at a reasonable price and have good reviews. They did a really good job for my rental property and I really liked what I saw,” Max says.

Cost: Approximately $1,500

If you’re feeling inspired to tackle your outdoor projects, we have the tradies that can help. Whether it’s a fresh coat of paint or a complete backyard overhaul, finding the right tradie on Builderscrack can make all the difference. Post your job on Builderscrack today and bring your dream outdoor space to life!

A huge thank you to our homeowners, Cara, Wayne, Cam, Judith and Max for sharing your transformation stories, and the tradies who made it happen.