During 2020, may Americans will spend much more time at home than they normally would. For many people, this has resulted in them looking around at their property and not being entirely happy with its look or feel. If you fall into this category, though, be cautious about just jumping into a big overhaul without doing some preparation first.

What should you do before you dig into the ground for the first time? Here are a few key steps.

1. Keep It Manageable

If you have spent a month of self-isolation at home staring at your backyard, you may want to just rip it all up. But if you act rashly and take on a project that's too big, you might end up making the problem worse. You might, in fact, end up with a torn-up, muddy mess that you don't know how to fix or don't have the time to finish.

Instead, come up with manageable individual projects that propel you toward your overall goal. If you want to put in a new play area for the kids, you might plan five smaller projects: prepare the ground, build a base, install the play equipment, and add a pathway. Want to add flower beds to the yard? Break them into groups. Giving the whole yard a makeover? Divide it into smaller sections or particular design elements.

2. Design With Specifics

Once you know the goal you want to reach with a particular project, design a specific plan to reach it. This should be a step-by-step set of plans that's as detailed as possible. Include measurements, depths, and potential obstacles. The more details you plan, write down, and research, the faster and easier your project will likely go.

If you want to remove a section of lawn and plant a garden, for instance, determine exactly how many square feet is involved and how deep you'll need to till the soil. If you want to add planter boxes, you will likely need to prepare the ground differently, and you will need a different set of tools than what you would need for just planting in the ground.

3. Talk With a Rental Service

One thing that many homeowners may not realize is how much help they can get from gardening equipment rentals. Visit with a local rental service once you have your detailed plans. They can advise on the best type of equipment for the scale of a project, your skill level, and your time and budget.

You'll want to have your detailed plans in hand. Everything from the size of the project to the shape of your yard can affect what is the best piece of equipment to rent.

For example, if you're adding a lot of gravel, you'll need to have a good idea of the amount of rock you need, how the yard is shaped, what fences or obstacles are in the way, and your skill with equipment. With this this information, you can determine whether you should get a walk-behind loader, a skid-steer loader, or even a larger backhoe.

4. Ask for Help With Equipment

When renting anything, be sure you fully understand how to use the equipment safely. Even the simplest power tools and small equipment can be dangerous to the untrained operator. Decide who will operate the equipment and have them learn safety procedures from the rental company. If you're not comfortable with a piece of equipment, ask if there are other options that you might be better able to handle.

If you follow these few steps before attacking your landscape problems, you'll be set up for success. Want to learn more about how to manage your particular backyard makeover? Start with a visit to Ever-Joy Rent All today.