
Outdoor DIY, fully costed
Build your backyard, receipt included.
Every project ships with a full material price list, real total cost, honest build time — and every mistake we made, with the fix that saved it.

Every post follows the same honest format
No mystery budgets, no skipped steps. Here's exactly what you get in every build.
STEP 01
Materials & prices
Itemized shopping list with what we actually paid, plus cheaper substitutes.
STEP 02
The process
Photo and video steps, cut lists, tool settings — written for weekend builders.
STEP 03
Issues & solutions
What went wrong on our build and the exact fix, so you don't repeat it.
STEP 04
Final cost & verdict
True total cost, hours spent, difficulty rating, and durability check-ins.
Latest builds
All projects →
Patio & DeckCedar Slat Privacy Screen with Built-In Planter Trough
A modern horizontal-slat screen with a built-in cedar trough — full plans, cut list, finish schedule and every mistake we made.
Patio & DeckAttached Mini Pergola Over a Back Door
A 6x4 ledger-mounted pergola that adds instant architecture — with the load math explained simply.
Garden & PlantersCast Concrete Stepping Stones with Leaf Imprints
Mix, mold and imprint your own path stones for a third of the store price.
The Weekend Ledger
One project a week in your inbox — full price list, printable cut sheet, and the mistakes to skip. Free, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.