Mar 30, 2026 / Home Equity
Spring has sprung early this year! The temps are gorgeous, the days are getting longer, and somewhere between that bare patch of lawn and the grill, there’s a vision of the outdoor space you’ve been putting off for years.
Thankfully, if you’ve got a Utah First HELOC, you don’t have to put it off anymore. With access to flexible, low-rate funding, you can get to work on the yard your summer deserves. And lucky for you, we’ve come up with some HELOC-worthy upgrade ideas to inspire you. Let’s talk about what’s possible!
If you own your home, you might be sitting on more financial flexibility than you realize. A HELOC (home equity line of credit) lets you tap into the equity you’ve built and use it as a revolving credit line at a much lower rate than most other borrowing options.
Unlike a traditional loan, you’re not required to borrow a set amount upfront. You access funds as you need them, pay interest only on what you draw, and can borrow again as you pay it down. It’s designed for people who have project goals and want to do them right without depleting their savings or racking up high-interest credit card debt.
Outdoor upgrades are a natural fit for HELOC funding. They add value to your home, improve how you live in it every day, and are usually done in phases — which is exactly the kind of flexibility a HELOC is built for.
Here are some outdoor upgrades worth putting that equity toward this spring.
You’ve probably noticed we’re in a drought, and your grass might be looking a little crispy. In Utah, that means it’s important to be intentional about what you plant and how you water it. Intentional landscape design works with the local climate instead of against it, so you can still have a beautiful yard without a brutal water bill.
Swap your thirsty grass and sprinklers for xeriscaping with options like:
In Utah’s dry summers, these practical choices can pay you back in reduced outdoor water use, lower water bills, and less maintenance every season.
On average, a mid-range landscaping refresh in Utah costs between $4,500 and $16,950, but the savings on water and upkeep make it one of the more financially satisfying outdoor investments over time. Use your HELOC to fund the full vision, then enjoy a yard that practically takes care of itself!
Not all outdoor space is usable. A patio that’s uncomfortable, underlit, or just kind of thrown together tends to sit empty. But a thoughtfully designed outdoor living area with comfortable seating, shade, and the right atmosphere becomes the place where life happens!
Luxuriously long family dinners, weekend mornings sipping coffee, afternoon chats with friends, and lawn games with the kids all become more likely with the right patio setup, which is a real quality-of-life upgrade that’s hard to put a price tag on.
Patio improvement costs vary pretty widely, depending on your goals:
A HELOC lets you fund the version that excites you. No more settling for whatever’s leftover from your last paycheck!
Even a modest outdoor cooking setup can totally change the way you entertain. We’re not necessarily talking about a full outdoor kitchen with granite countertops (but if that’s the vision, your HELOC can handle it). Even a well-placed, built-in grill with a small prep area makes the whole experience feel more intentional and keeps the cook in the conversation instead of stuck inside.
When you fund it with your Utah First HELOC, the monthly cost can be surprisingly doable. Entry-level built-in setups in Utah start around $6,285, while a full outdoor kitchen build with appliances, countertops, and overhead coverage averages $27,000+, depending on materials and project complexity.
Raised garden beds are having a moment for good reason. They’re easier to maintain than ground-level gardens and better for soil quality — and it’s satisfying to make a meal with something you grew yourself!
A well-designed garden setup with quality cedar beds, proper soil, and drip irrigation reduces grocery trips for herbs and produce, gets you outside more regularly, and levels up the look of your yard. For families with kids, it’s also one of the better “unplugging” investments you can make!
A solid raised bed setup with irrigation done yourself can cost less than $1,000, depending on size and materials, while professional installation costs vary by square foot. It’s a smaller draw on your HELOC — perfect as a standalone project or a natural add-on when you’re already improving your landscaping.
Solar is one of those investments that sounds like a big commitment until you look at the benefits for your utility bill. In Utah, where sunny days are pretty much a guarantee, solar panels are one of the highest-return outdoor upgrades you can make, and the payoff starts from the moment your system goes live.
Besides the monthly savings, a solar installation adds great resale value to your home, and federal tax incentives can massively reduce the upfront cost. Many homeowners find their system pays for itself within several years. After that, the savings are basically free money!
A full residential solar installation in Utah averages $21,000–$31,000 before incentives. Using a HELOC to fund it instead of a solar-specific financing plan means a lower interest rate and no lien from a third-party solar company, so you own your system outright from day one!
Outdoor lighting changes everything about how safe your yard feels, how long you stay outside, and how your house looks from the street after dark. When it’s done well, outdoor lighting adds ambiance, functionality, and curb appeal all at once!
Professional outdoor lighting installations typically run $2,000–$6,000, depending on scope. When you bundle this type of project with landscaping or patio work and are already drawing on your HELOC, you can get everything done in one coordinated project!
Spring only comes once a year, but the chance to love your outdoor space lasts all season long (and well into fall). Whether you’re going big with a full backyard overhaul or starting small with one solid upgrade, your Utah First HELOC makes it affordable starting today.
Your summer starts now. Let’s get to work!
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