When you build a custom home, the most important space you will use every single day is not the kitchen or the living room. It is the outdoor living area. Families in Florida practically live outside, especially during evenings and weekends. A well designed backyard increases home value, improves daily life, and becomes the place where guests naturally gather.
Yet many homeowners wait until the end of construction to think about the pool and outdoor living budget. By that point, the numbers are off, the yard layout is wrong, and the project becomes more difficult and more expensive.
At Southern Pool Designs, we work with custom home builders and new construction clients across Orlando, Lake Nona, Windermere, Winter Park, and the surrounding luxury communities. This article breaks down exactly how much homeowners should budget, why the outdoor space matters so much, and how builders can guide clients toward a smart number before plans are finalized.
Why Outdoor Living Should Be Budgeted Early
1. Backyards shape the entire floorplan
If you want a pool, covered patio, spa, or summer kitchen, the floorplan must be built around it. The earlier you plan the outdoor living area, the better the home layout becomes.
2. Delayed planning leads to budget shock
When clients wait until the home is 70 percent complete, they often realize they need far more than the small “pool allowance” written into the contract. Early budgeting prevents frustration.
3. Outdoor living adds significant home value
Luxury buyers expect:
- A pool
- A comfortable covered patio
- Quality decking
- Landscaping and lighting
These areas dramatically increase resale value and perceived luxury.
The Right Way to Budget for a New Outdoor Living Space
Instead of guessing, use a simple framework that aligns architectural design, lot size, and homeowner lifestyle.
Below are the ranges we recommend to builders and new construction clients in Central Florida.
1. Luxury Pool Budget Guidelines
Entry-level custom pool
Basic rectangle, sunshelf, standard equipment, standard pavers
$80,000 to $125,000
Mid-range custom pool (most common)
Freeform or geometric design, larger sunshelf, premium tile, upgraded finish, LED lights, automation
$130,000 to $200,000
High-end luxury pool
Raised walls, spa, infinity or vanishing edges, high end materials, architectural features
$220,000 to $350,000
Ultra luxury / architectural showcase
Large water features, glass tile, multi-level decks, advanced engineering
$400,000 to $1M plus
These ranges depend on size, design complexity, engineering, soil, and finish level.
2. Outdoor Living Budget Guidelines
Basic patio and deck package
Covered space, pavers, simple lighting
$25,000 to $60,000
Upgraded outdoor living
Extended patio, premium decking (travertine, porcelain), fans, lighting, privacy walls
$60,000 to $125,000
Luxury outdoor living
Summer kitchen, outdoor dining, fire features, integrated landscaping, premium stone
$125,000 to $250,000
Resort style outdoor environment
Large covered structures, multiple zones, fireplaces, turf, audio, custom lighting
$250,000 to $500,000 plus
Recommended Outdoor Living Budget as % of Home Value
This helps builders guide clients early in design.
Home value $600k to $900k
Outdoor living plus pool budget:
10 to 15 percent of the home value
Home value $1M to $2M
Outdoor living plus pool budget:
12 to 18 percent of home value
Home value $2M to $5M+
Outdoor living plus pool budget:
15 to 25 percent of home value
High end homeowners invest more because outdoor living becomes a signature lifestyle feature, not just a checkbox.
Why Builder Allowances Are Usually Too Low
Most builders include a small placeholder number, often:
- $40,000 to $75,000 for “pool allowance.”
- $10,000 to $20,000 for “outdoor living allowance.”
These numbers have not matched real market pricing for years. As a result, homeowners later realize they need:
- More decking
- A spa
- Better finishes
- Outdoor kitchen
- Landscaping
- Lighting
- Engineering adjustments
A modern luxury home cannot deliver a matching outdoor experience on old allowances.
How Builders + SPD Help Clients Avoid Surprises
1. Early Outdoor Living Consultation
We meet with the builder and homeowner during architectural design. This helps set realistic expectations.
2. 3D Design Integration
We show the pool, patio, and outdoor living environment in full 3D, so the homeowner can visualize the final layout before the home is framed.
3. Transparent Ranges
We never oversell. We give homeowners real ranges so they can plan their finances early.
4. Builder Coordination
We work directly with the builder on grade, setbacks, utilities, drainage, windows, and doors that affect the outdoor space.
5. Value Engineering Options
If a homeowner has a hard budget, we help them prioritize:
- Pool size
- Deck type
- Spa or no spa
- Lighting vs water features
- Turf vs grass
This prevents the dream from falling apart late in construction.
So What Should a New Construction Client Actually Budget?
If you want a full outdoor living experience that matches a custom home, a good rule of thumb is:
Pool + Outdoor Living Budget
$150,000 to $400,000 for most homeowners $400,000 to $1M plus for luxury and waterfront homes
This includes:
- Pool
- Spa
- Decking
- Turf or landscaping
- Outdoor kitchen
- Lighting
- Seating areas
- Fire features
- Engineering and utilities
For high end communities like Isleworth, Keene’s Pointe, Lake Nona, Winter Park, Viera, or Bella Collina, the outdoor living budget is often closer to 20 to 30 percent of the home value.
Final Takeaway: Plan Early, Budget Realistically, Build It Right
Outdoor living is no longer optional. It is a central part of how Florida families live. When homeowners plan early, budget correctly, and partner with a builder and pool designer who coordinate together, the result is a space that feels intentional, luxurious, and effortless for decades.
Southern Pool Designs works with custom home builders and new construction clients across Central Florida to design and build outdoor living spaces that match the quality of the homes they sit beside.
If you are building a new home and want to avoid surprises, schedule a Design Studio consultation and get a complete outdoor living budget and concept before construction begins.