Backyard Development

Complete backyard transformation, engineered for real life

The premium difference is not one feature. It is coordination. Layout, elevations, drainage, structures, hardscape, lighting, and landscaping planned together so your backyard looks intentional and performs correctly for years.

Backyard Planner
Build a clean scope in 60 seconds. We pass this into your consultation so you get a faster answer.
EntertainingFlow, patio sizing, kitchen placement, lighting layers.
Privacy + comfortShade, sightlines, planting layers, lounge zoning.
Drainage + gradesEngineering-first approach to stop puddling and runoff.
Luxury finishMaterial palette, transitions, focal points, cohesion.
Outdoor kitchenAppliances, utilities, prep flow, seating.
Pergola or structureShade, fans, lighting, privacy elements.
Fire featureLounge anchor, wind-aware placement.
Hardscape expansionPavers, steps, seat walls, walkways.
Landscaping + lightingFinish, privacy, night ambiance.
Retaining wallStructural elevations, premium integration.
Tap multiple. This is your starting scope.
This seasonFast scope mapping and build sequencing.
Next seasonDesign-forward approach for best results.
ExploringBudget ranges and plan clarity first.
Not sureWe will recommend the right path.
Goal
Not selected
Features
None
Timeline
Not selected

You look capable when your process is visible

Premium homeowners do not want “we can do that.” They want a plan. This page is structured to show scope control, sequencing, and why the result will feel finished.

Catalog

Everything required for a finished backyard

These are the building blocks of premium outdoor living. The authority comes from integrating them as one system, not selling them as add-ons.

Watch: The Backyard System

Why premium backyards succeed

The best projects solve constraints early: grades, drainage, utilities, access, and sequencing. Then the finishes and features look effortless because the system is correct.

Swap this for a real 45–90 second video later. The page still converts without it.
Packages

High-end outcomes with controlled scope

Packages are not cookie-cutter yards. They are a disciplined starting scope that protects the outcome, reduces scope creep, and keeps sequencing clean.

I

Entertainer

Designed for hosting, flow, and presence. This is the package that eliminates undersized patios and awkward circulation.

Includes
Patio scale planning, lounge + dining zoning, kitchen placement, lighting layers.
Sequencing
Engineering and utilities, hardscape base and patios, kitchen and features, lighting and landscape finish.
Best for
Homeowners who want the backyard to work for groups and events.
II

Resort

Comfort-first: shade, privacy, and finish-level polish. This is how a yard starts feeling like a private retreat.

Includes
Structure or pergola, privacy layers, curated material palette, lighting ambiance.
Sequencing
Sightlines and privacy plan, structure placement, hardscape, features, landscape and lighting.
Best for
Homeowners who value comfort, shade, and visual cohesion.
III

Performance

Engineering-first for complex yards. The package that prevents “we built it, now water is everywhere.”

Includes
Drainage plan, grade plan, retaining walls if needed, utilities planning.
Sequencing
Drainage and elevations, structural walls, hardscape, then features and finish.
Best for
Sloped sites, drainage problems, tight access, high constraints.
Outcome
Typical contractor
AQP premium method
Scope clarity
Features chosen first, scope floats
System planned, scope controlled
Drainage and grades
Addressed after problems appear
Designed before hardscape
Luxury look
Upgrades scattered
Cohesive palette and transitions
Build sequence
Trade conflicts, rework
Sequencing protects finished surfaces

Scope control is what prevents regret

Premium homeowners do not want endless options. They want the right decisions, in the right order, with an outcome that looks intentional.

Deep dives

What premium actually includes

These sections are what makes the page feel high-end. The detail signals competence. It also reduces unqualified leads by setting expectations.

Outdoor Kitchens

The difference between “a grill on a wall” and a premium kitchen is planning. Prep flow, landing space, utilities, seating, and placement that supports hosting.

Prep flowUtilitiesVentilationSeatingStorage

What’s included

  • Kitchen placement for hosting and traffic
  • Appliance layout and landing space planning
  • Gas, electric, water planning where required
  • Lighting and bar seating integration

Decisions you make once

  • Grill size and appliance mix
  • Bar seating versus dining adjacency
  • Storage and trash placement
  • Shade and wind comfort

Mistakes we prevent

  • Kitchen isolated from guests
  • No landing space, no prep zone
  • Utilities added after patio finishes
  • Heat or smoke issues near structures

Patio and Hardscape

Premium hardscape is about scale, transitions, and drainage. Most disappointment comes from patios that are undersized or elevations that feel wrong.

PaversStepsSeat wallsWalkwaysTransitions

What’s included

  • Circulation planning for groups
  • Elevation transitions that feel natural
  • Material alignment and pattern planning
  • Edge restraint and long-term stability

Decisions you make once

  • Primary lounge zone size
  • Dining zone adjacency
  • Steps, walls, and level changes
  • Finish palette and lighting style

Mistakes we prevent

  • Patio too small for real use
  • Puddling near doors and seating
  • Awkward steps and uneven transitions
  • Hardscape done before utility planning

Fire Features

Fire is a luxury anchor. Premium placement considers wind, seating geometry, and how the feature reads from the home at night.

Focal pointLounge geometryWind-awareNight ambiance

What’s included

  • Fire feature placement and lounge zoning
  • Utility planning and safe clearances
  • Material integration with hardscape
  • Lighting layers for a night experience

Decisions you make once

  • Fire pit vs bowl vs fireplace
  • Seating shape and distance
  • Visibility lines from the home
  • Seasonal use goals

Mistakes we prevent

  • Smoke blowing into seating
  • Feature placed far from flow
  • Lighting that feels harsh
  • Wrong scale for the space

Pergolas and Structures

Comfort scales with shade. Premium structures are placed where people sit, aligned with the home, and integrated with lighting and fans correctly.

ShadeFansLightingPrivacyArchitecture

What’s included

  • Shade placement based on real use
  • Lighting and fan integration planning
  • Privacy walls and screening options
  • Alignment with home architecture

Decisions you make once

  • Pergola vs pavilion style
  • Open, semi-private, or screened
  • Furniture layout under structure
  • Night lighting intent

Mistakes we prevent

  • Shade in the wrong place
  • Lighting added as an afterthought
  • Structure not aligned to flow
  • Privacy solved too late

Landscaping Integration

Landscaping is the finish-level polish that makes everything feel complete. Premium planting frames sightlines, improves privacy, and softens transitions.

PrivacySightlinesBed definitionLighting

What’s included

  • Privacy layering and screening
  • Planting design for cohesion
  • Bed definition and edge detailing
  • Lighting layers for the landscape

Decisions you make once

  • Privacy goals and coverage level
  • Maintenance expectations
  • Seasonal color preference
  • Night ambiance priorities

Mistakes we prevent

  • Plants that block circulation
  • Random “add-ons” look
  • Lighting that feels flat
  • Privacy solved too late

Drainage and Site Engineering

This is what separates premium outcomes from expensive disappointment. Drainage and grades must be solved before hardscape or you will pay twice.

GradesRunoff controlUtilitiesLong-term performance

What’s included

  • Runoff planning and drainage strategy
  • Elevation planning before hardscape
  • Utility planning for features
  • Sequencing to protect finishes

Decisions you make once

  • Performance priorities vs aesthetics
  • Wall needs based on elevation
  • Access constraints
  • Long-term maintenance preferences

Mistakes we prevent

  • Puddling near seating zones
  • Drainage added after patio installed
  • Walls placed without a plan
  • Utilities cut through finished work
Process

A disciplined customer journey

This section is what makes you look “built for large scopes.” It shows sequencing and decision timing. It reduces scope creep and protects your margins.

Step 1
Discovery: priorities, inspiration, goals, constraints, and a realistic range so the plan is grounded.
Step 2
Site evaluation: grades, drainage, utilities, access, feasibility, and sequencing.
Step 3
Concept layout: zones, circulation, sightlines, feature placement, and scale.
Step 4
Selections: material palette, finishes, lighting intent, planting style, feature specs.
Step 5
Engineering: drainage strategy, elevations, utilities, and build sequencing.
Step 6
Build + finish: infrastructure, hardscape, structures, features, then landscape and lighting.

Large scopes require sequencing

When your process is visible, premium homeowners trust you with bigger projects. When it is vague, you look reactive.

Proof

The outcome homeowners actually care about

Replace these with your real excerpts. Keep them outcome-based: “flow”, “comfort”, “finished look”, “drainage solved”, “night ambiance.”

“The entire backyard feels designed. The patio flow is perfect, and the lighting makes it look unreal at night.”

Verified homeowner

“We had drainage issues for years. They solved it before building, and now everything drains correctly.”

Verified homeowner

“The structure and landscaping pulled everything together. It finally looks finished instead of pieced together.”

Verified homeowner

Premium perception comes from proof

Once you replace these excerpts with real lines from your reviews, this page becomes a conversion engine.

FAQ

Common questions

Do you handle full backyard scopes if we are not building a pool?

Yes. Hardscapes, kitchens, structures, drainage, retaining walls, and landscaping can be standalone projects. The same planning discipline applies.

What makes this “premium” instead of just adding features?

Premium is cohesion and performance. We plan circulation, elevations, drainage, utilities, and transitions first, so the finished yard looks intentional and works correctly long-term.

When should drainage and grading be addressed?

Before hardscape. Fixing runoff after patios are installed is where budgets get wasted. Drainage is infrastructure, not a finish upgrade.

What do you need from us to start?

Inspiration images, priorities, and a rough budget range help. If you have a survey or HOA requirements, bring them. If not, start with a consultation and we will guide the next steps.

Ready for a real backyard plan?

Start with a consultation. We will map a clear scope, sequencing, and the options that deliver a finished outcome.

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