Where does landscape & outdoor living fit your project?
Pick the closest match. Each one shows how we handle that kind of job, then you can go deeper or book a visit.
For homeowners: Landscape & Outdoor Living
Planned for the home you live in, with the work done in order and the site kept clean.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For custom homes: Landscape & Outdoor Living
Included in the full new-build plan, with the trades coordinated under one lead.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For commercial spaces: Landscape & Outdoor Living
Scheduled around occupancy, built to the commercial code and the building use.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For high-rise buildings: Landscape & Outdoor Living
Planned for vertical access, fire separation, sound and the building schedule.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For renovations: Landscape & Outdoor Living
Scoped with the rest of the renovation so the trades work in the right order.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
Landscape & Outdoor Living
Grading, drainage, hard surfaces and planting planned as one outdoor plan, so the yard works in every season.
How this guide works
Outdoor living is an extension of the home. The grading, the drainage and the hard surfaces decide whether the yard works. Work through the decisions in order.
Decision 1: Where landscape work is used
Landscape work goes into houses, additions, townhouse courtyards and commercial sites. The use decides the surfaces, the drainage and the planting.
| Use | Typical work | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Houses | Patio, walkway, planting, lawn | Grading, drainage, sun |
| Additions and courtyards | Patio, drainage, privacy | Tie-ins, access |
| Commercial sites | Walkways, parking edges, planting | Load, durability, maintenance |
Our pick: Start with grading and drainage. Surfaces and planting sit on top of them.
Decision 2: Grading and drainage
Water has to leave the house and the yard. Grading and drains decide where it goes.
| Element | Check |
|---|---|
| Grade away from the house | Falls away from the foundation |
| Drains and swales | Carry water to a safe outlet |
| Downspouts | Discharge away from the wall |
Our pick: Grade first. Water pooling against the house is the most common landscape problem.
Decision 3: Hard surfaces
Patios, walkways and retaining walls set the look and the maintenance. Each needs a proper base.
| Surface | Good for | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Interlocking pavers | Patios and walkways | Low, resetting if the base moves |
| Natural stone | Premium patios and walls | Low |
| Poured concrete | Large flat areas | Low, sealing |
Our pick: Pavers for most patios. The base depth decides how long they stay level.
Decision 4: Planting and lawn
Planting and lawn depend on the sun, the soil and the water. Choose plants and lawn for the site.
| Choice | Depends on |
|---|---|
| Lawn | Sun, soil, irrigation |
| Planting beds | Sun exposure, soil, maintenance |
| Trees | Root space, clearance from the house |
Our pick: Plant for the site, not for the photo. Sun and soil decide what survives.
Decision 5: Access and staging
Machines and materials need access. Planning access early avoids damage to the house and the yard.
| Item | Plan |
|---|---|
| Machine access | Side gate or path cleared |
| Material staging | Planned in the yard |
| Protection | Protect what you want to keep |
Our pick: Plan access before the design. It decides what machines can reach.
Decision 6: Warning signs and timing
Landscape problems show as standing water, sinking pavers and dying planting. Water problems come first and should be checked first.
| Sign | Act by |
|---|---|
| Water pooling against the house | Checking the grade and the downspouts |
| Sinking or heaving pavers | Checking the base and the drainage |
| Patchy or dying planting | Checking the sun, soil and irrigation |
Our pick: Fix the water first. Pavers and planting cannot hold where water sits.
Decision 7: Permits and inspection
Landscape work often needs no permit. Retaining walls over a set height, changes to grade near the house and new drains can.
| Scope | Check |
|---|---|
| Planting and lawn | Usually no permit |
| Retaining wall over the set height | Permit and engineering likely |
| Changing grade or drainage near the house | Confirm with the municipality |
Our pick: Confirm the retaining wall and grade changes before the excavation starts.
Decision 8: Coordination with the other trades
Landscape follows the excavation, the foundation and the site preparation. The drainage has to work with the house before the surfaces go down.
| Trade | What landscape needs |
|---|---|
| Excavation and site prep | Graded and compacted to the plan |
| Foundation waterproofing | Protected and tested before backfill |
| Roofing and gutters | Downspouts connected to the drainage |
| Decks and patios | Set after the grade is final |
Our pick: Set the grade and drainage first. Surfaces and planting come last.
Decision 9: Warranty and maintenance
Landscape lasts with the drainage kept clear and the planting maintained. A seasonal check keeps the yard working.
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Drains and swales | Cleared each spring and fall |
| Pavers | Re-levelled when they settle |
| Planting | Watered and pruned on the season |
Our pick: Clear the drains each spring and fall. It protects the house and the yard.
Questions
Will you fix drainage?
We plan the grading to direct water away from the house, and we check the drainage first.
Can you do the planting?
Yes, planting is part of the plan.
Do you do outdoor kitchens?
We can plan them as part of the outdoor living scope.
Talk to the Plug
Tell us the yard, the grade and how you want to use it. We check the drainage and the access, then plan the surfaces and the planting.
Related: Decks & PatiosSite PreparationAll contracting
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