Residential landscaping & hardscaping
Landscaping for the way you use your yard.
Compare patios and paver paths, landscape planting, lawn refreshes and outdoor living areas. See what each project can include and which decisions to make before requesting an estimate.
What the project can include
Patios & pavers
A patio with room to sit, eat and move.
Start with your table, chairs and the routes between the house and garden. Use those dimensions to plan the patio, then compare paving, edges and drainage needs before choosing the finish.
- Patio layout and seating areas
- Paver paths between doors, gates and garden areas
- Paving materials, colors and laying patterns
- Assessment of access, levels, drainage and preparation
Best forOutdoor dining, a more direct garden path or replacing a patio that no longer suits the space.
What the project can include
Landscape design & planting
Planting that fits the space and growing conditions.
Lay out beds, paths and sitting areas together. For San Diego gardens, check the conditions in each part of the yard before choosing plants: afternoon sun, coastal exposure, soil, mature size and watering all matter.
- A layout for paths, beds and areas to sit
- Planting beds, borders and privacy planting
- Sunlight, soil and watering considerations
- A planting plan for one area or several phases
Best forAn empty yard, overgrown beds, a privacy planting strip or several areas that need to connect.
What the project can include
Lawn & yard refresh
Refresh the areas that take too much work.
Keep the lawn and planting you use, then rethink worn patches, bare edges and beds that are difficult to maintain. A refresh can focus on one area without replacing the whole yard.
- Lawn areas to keep, renew or replace
- Bed reshaping and clearer edges
- Planting refreshes and awkward corners
- Planting or paving alternatives to unused lawn
Best forWorn lawn, overgrown borders or a corner that needs more attention than you want to give it.
What the project can include
Outdoor living upgrades
A comfortable place for outdoor meals and downtime.
Plan around the number of people you expect to seat, the times you’ll be outside and the route to the kitchen. Consider shade, privacy, furniture clearance and nearby planting as part of the same layout.
- Dining and lounge areas
- Comfortable movement around furniture
- Shade and privacy priorities
- Planting and paving that connect the space
Best forAn outdoor dining area, a shaded place to sit or a patio that needs a more comfortable layout.
Imagined design concepts for inspiration.
Before choosing materials, answer these three questions.
How will you use the space?
List the activities the yard needs to accommodate, from outdoor meals to a route for taking out the bins.
What should stay?
Identify trees, planting, paving and views you want to preserve.
What can you budget and maintain?
Note your spending range, preferred timing and how much watering, pruning or cleaning you want to take on.
Landscaping & hardscaping questions
What is the difference between landscaping and hardscaping?
Landscaping includes the layout, planting and planted areas of a yard. Hardscaping refers to built features such as patios, paver paths and other paved surfaces. Considering both together helps the yard work as one space.
Can a project be completed in phases?
It can be worth planning in phases when the overall layout and sequence are understood first. Access, ground preparation and the relationship between paving and planting can affect what should happen before the next stage.
How do I compare paving materials?
Compare appearance, comfort underfoot, maintenance, drainage and repair options. Ask for proposals that include the same preparation and installation work so the prices are comparable.
How should I prepare for a project conversation?
Note the main thing you want to change, your preferred timing and a comfortable planning budget if you have one. Photos, rough dimensions and a few inspiration images are helpful, but you do not need a finished design.
Is booking an estimate the same as accepting a quote?
No. An estimate request is a starting point. The work, materials, price and terms need to be reviewed and agreed separately before a project begins.
Choose the project you’re considering.
Select a project type and describe the area, the change you want and any site details that may affect the work.