If there’s one thing we’re excited for this summer, it’s backyard get-togethers with friends + family. Before you break out the charcoal + tongs, now is a great time to get to work on a backyard makeover. With a few thoughtful upgrades, your backyard can become the ultimate chill + grill spot.

The pros at Lee Company have a team of home improvement specialists with tons of advice and experience in backyard facelifts — here are three of their recommendations to give you the most bang for your buck.

Upgrade from propane to natural gas

Switching from propane to natural gas is one of the easiest ways to up your grilling game, because the last thing you want is to run out of propane when you’re halfway through making dinner. Installing a natural gas line that runs straight to your grill saves time — and sanity.

Add an extra outdoor hydrant

From adding a water feature to your backyard garden to irrigating plants (or even just turning on the sprinkler for the kids to play), having an extra outdoor hydrant is one of those things that just makes sense.

Install landscape lighting

Good lighting is key for creating a relaxing environment and helps you make the most of your outdoor space. Pro tip: Spring for a lighting system that connects to your smartphone — you can adjust the lights with the touch of a button or even set them on automatic timers.

Need an extra hand to get it all done? Lee Company is available to help. Schedule an appointment, and they’ll take care of all the heavy lifting.*