WATCH DIY NETWORK’S SWEAT EQUITY TV SHOW DEC. 26TH

Sweat Equity is one of our favorite home improvement shows because it features real people working with believable budgets. In the episode titled, “The Party Yard,” Jane and Jared, a couple in Minneapolis wants to bring their backyard up to par with others in the neighborhood, and create a space where they can entertain.

The worst feature of the backyard was probably the second-story deck that had no connection to the almost-barren backyard. The area under the deck was used for storage, which looked pretty messy.

Amy Matthews, the Sweat Equity host, said the goal was to create “an outdoor living space as opposed to just a deck.” New steps and a railing in a wood-alternative material were built to extend from deck to yard. In the big backyard, a landscape architect added affordable plants – the trees along the perimeter will look great as they grow – and the chain-link dog run was replaced with new fencing. The small concrete patio was replaced with a patio made of natural-looking pavers and a fire pit.

But back to that unsightly “storage area” under the deck…With help from Twin City Jacuzzi, a beautiful new Jacuzzi^® J-470 hot tub was delivered and set up in the space. The hot tub is a perfect fit, and the deck above (with the addition of a nice underdeck treatment) provides privacy and protection from the elements.

A real estate agent asked to “look at the true benefits to the resale value of the home,” agreed that a six-person hot tub added value. Homeowner Jane especially likes the speaker system in the J-470 and the 39 jets with colored lights. She said she couldn’t wait to have people over for a party. The J-470 was declared a “treat with a cherry on top” in this home improvement!

The Party Yard episode, which first aired in November, is scheduled again to be shown on December 26. Check your local listings and pick up some home improvement tips from Sweat Equity and Jacuzzi.