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We recently moved to a new house, newly constructed, with absolutely no landscape (and just a little "grass" which looks more like hay). We have future plans including pool, patio, landscape, sprinklers, grass seeding and finishing the basement. We'd love to tackle both the outside of the house (pool/patio/landscape) as well as the inside (finishing the basement) but simply can't do both at this time. Any advice as to which is better to do first? Inside or outside?
Your neighbors will certainly appreciate it if you tackle the outside first. It doesn't have to be fancy, but hay surrounding a house isn't attractive.
Usually you consider how long it will take and the climate.
If it will run into the winter or seasons where you can't work outside, do the outside now. Always can work inside any time.
Also consider planting seasons and how long something might need. What type of outside construction there is. Do the stuff outside while the weather is in your favor.
Outside improvments as you described (maybe minus the pool) have a lot of curb appeal.. and I generally like to be outdoors more than in.. so I would do that first..
BUT.. finished basements also have a lot of appeal and give you a nice finished indoor space..
Location: Sometimes Maryland, sometimes NoVA. Depends on the day of the week
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I think this depends on where you live and if the issue of doing both at the same time in financial or hassle.
We moved into a 40-year-old house last May, but the septic system had just been redone and is in our front yard. This meant our entire front yard was a dirt field. In our area (Maryland), there is no point in planting grass in June b/c it won't be developed enough to live through the heat of July and August. So, we just left the dirt field until September. I'm sure it annoyed the neighbors, but we spoke with a few and when they heard our reasoning, they understood. Their biggest concern was that we would leave it as a dirt/weed field forever. Not true, just for 3 months Also, fall is the best time to plant shrubs and such, again with the summer heat and dryness. Plus, its just too darn hot and humid to do much work outside right now. So, you really have to take into account the weather in the area.
You definitely want to find out when the best time to seed your lawn is. If you are in a hot/humid climate, aim for September or October. This will get it established in the fall and over the winter and you will have a lush lawn in the spring.
If it were me, living in the mid-atlantic or further south, I'd work on the basement now, then switch to the yard in September and get as much done as I could before the ground freezes.
Thanks for the suggestions so far. We are in NJ and are surrounded by neighbors in their new houses who are having "lawn issues" as well and also there are empty lots on all sides with nothing (not even a signed contract!). With that being said, I'm not too concerned yet about neighbors and their perceptions of the property. Since hubby and I are not the least bit handy we have to go with contractors (and their schedules) meaning we can't really start and stop projects at will... and we can't afford to do everything all at once. Perhaps taking on the front lawn (seed, sprinklers, landscape) would be the best step #1 (now). Step 2 could be basement (winter). Step 3 (next spring perhaps) could be the backyard. Hmmmmmm. Thanks for listening!
Perhaps taking on the front lawn (seed, sprinklers, landscape) would be the best step #1 (now). Step 2 could be basement (winter). Step 3 (next spring perhaps) could be the backyard. Hmmmmmm. Thanks for listening!
The lawn and sprinklers would be a logical 1st choice given the season.
I like how you prioritized it. I would have done it the same way.
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Depends on your climate
Also, fall is the best time to plant shrubs and such, again with the summer heat and dryness. Plus, its just too darn hot and humid to do much work outside right now. So, you really have to take into account the weather in the area. 
