10/26/2026
Just bought a new build and staring at a backyard full of dirt?
Here's what a lot of new homeowners find out too late: the clock is already running. With a new build, you'll usually have about six months to a year to get your yard done. And if your HOA doesn't sign off on what goes in, you could be looking at fines and paying to redo the work.
So before anything gets installed, double-check your plans against your HOA requirements.
Make sure your new pavers match the existing ones. Make sure your setbacks off the wall are correct. And make sure every plant and tree you choose is HOA approved.
Doing this research early means you're not scrambling when the deadline gets close, and you're not paying twice for a backyard you had to tear out. A new yard should feel like the reward for buying the house, not a headache with a letter from the HOA attached.
Save this for when you start planning your new build backyard.