The full Garden Rooms build comes to about $9,455 if most of the furniture and materials are found used, which fits inside the $5-10K grant target. With less funding the garden still gets finished, and the smallest version is about $2,900.
Each level builds on the last one, so nothing gets torn out if more money shows up. Every level clears the yard and keeps the existing patio set and grill. Costs include tax and a 15% cushion.
| Smallest | $5K | $8K | $10K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $2,870 | $4,967 | $7,765 | $9,455 |
| Tea spots | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Nap spot | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Umbrellas with bases | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Standing planters | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Barrels (3 fruit, 2 flower) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| New fence screening and vines | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Watering | Hose timer | Drip | Drip | Drip |
| Native flower beds | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Passion fruit trellis | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Ground paint | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Glider bench | No | No | No | Yes |
| Bamboo planters | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Mostly used, the $10K level costs $9,455, and the same list bought new costs about $13,064. Used prices are the high end of East Bay Craigslist asking prices on November 6, 2026, so they're a guide and not stock we can count on.
| Item | How many | Mostly used | All new |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standing planters, waist high | 5 | $1,250 | $2,000 |
| Metal planting tanks | 4 | $500 | $1,000 |
| Half barrels | 5 | $225 | $325 |
| Passion fruit trellis and trough | 1 | $200 | $350 |
| Soil and drainage | 7 yards | $595 | $595 |
| Soil delivery | 1 | $300 | $300 |
| Fruit trees | 3 | $240 | $240 |
| Native flowers | 36 | $540 | $540 |
| Herbs and annuals | 30 | $180 | $180 |
| Clumping bamboo | 4 | $300 | $300 |
| Vines | 3 | $90 | $90 |
| Tea sets with arms | 2 | $300 | $436 |
| Glider bench | 1 | $200 | $230 |
| Nap chaise or daybed | 1 | $250 | $450 |
| Umbrellas | 4 | $320 | $600 |
| Heavy umbrella bases | 4 | $440 | $720 |
| Fence screening | 16 feet | $550 | $550 |
| Drip watering on a timer | 1 | $550 | $550 |
| Ground paint and grit | 1 | $200 | $200 |
| Tools and gloves | 1 | $100 | $150 |
| Disposal | 1 | $200 | $200 |
| Work day food | 3 days | $300 | $300 |
| Patio set and grill | Already there | $0 | $0 |
| Subtotal | $7,830 | $10,306 | |
| Sales tax, 10.75% on new items | $392 | $1,054 | |
| 15% cushion | $1,233 | $1,704 | |
| Total | $9,455 | $13,064 |
Plants, soil, fence and watering are still bought new. The old planters on the side of the building could cut the planter lines if they're still solid, but that isn't counted here.
All three fit under $10K mostly used, and The Lounge is the cheapest. The low end needs some lucky finds, so the plan uses the high end.
| Layout | Mostly used | All new |
|---|---|---|
| Garden Rooms | $7,035 to $9,455 | $13,064 |
| The Lounge | $6,337 to $8,528 | $11,692 |
| The Loop | $6,989 to $9,208 | $12,812 |
The grant sets the level we can finish no matter what, and outside sponsors pay for what we add on top.
| Source | Rough amount | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| St. Mary's grant | $5-10K | Pays for the core garden at the matching level |
| Outside sponsors | Whatever we raise | People chip in or buy an item off a registry, fully funded items get bought new, and givers get a shirt and an invite to the celebration |
| Blue table sale | Maybe $1,000 | Adds to the garden if they sell, not counted above |
| Plant groups and hardware stores | Unknown | Donated plants and materials lower the cash we need |
| Volunteer time | About $5,400 in value | Roughly 130 hours at California's $41.75 an hour, not cash |
Anything nobody sponsors by a set date gets found used. Friends of the project plan to donate the shirt design and printing.
| Item | Rough cost | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Storage shed and trash enclosure | Not priced | Operations budget |
| Round tables and folding chairs for hosting | Not priced | Does St. Mary's already have these? |
| Celebration food and blank shirts | About $1,000 | Sponsors and donations |
| Mural panels and paint | Not priced | Sponsors and donations |
| Project coordination | About $2,000 | Raised on top of the build, not the grant |
The prices aren't real quotes yet and the yard still needs to be taped. The passion fruit trellis goes on the end of the storage shed, so it depends on the shed getting built.