If we need a crane to lift trees over a house, or if your yard has significant slope requiring retaining walls and drainage (common in Charlotte clay), labor costs increase.
"Instant Privacy" costs more. Installing 15-gallon Hollies creates an immediate screen but costs 3x more than smaller 7-gallon options.
Curves, cuts, and intricate paver patterns take significantly longer to install than straight lines.
We use brass and copper fixtures (Vista/FX Luminaire). They cost more upfront than plastic big-box store lights but last 15+ years longer.
Implementing the "Master Plan" in stages (e.g., Hardscape in Spring, Plants in Fall).
Choosing concrete pavers over natural travertine or bluestone.
Willingness to let plants grow in over 2–3 years allows for significant savings on the initial nursery bill.
A flat yard with a wide gate allowing machinery access reduces manual labor hours.
A professional system (8-15 brass fixtures) including transformer and timer. Focus on paths, uplighting trees, and architecture.
Removal of old growth, soil amendment, new design-led planting beds, mulch/pine needles, and minor boulder accents.
A complete overhaul. Includes a paver patio (~400 sq ft), extensive landscaping/privacy screening, comprehensive lighting, and often a fire feature.
Full-scale construction. Multi-level hardscapes, outdoor kitchens, major drainage engineering, mature specimen trees, and estate-wide audio/lighting.
The “Lifetime Cost” Trap:
The 12-Month Plant: Low-bid installers often skip soil amendment. Plants look great for 6 months, then suffocate in compacted clay. Cost to fix: Paying for the project twice.
Drainage Disasters: Cheap patios often lack proper pitch or sub-base drainage. This leads to settling pavers or water pooling against your home’s foundation.
Voltage Drop: Poorly wired lighting systems save money on wire but result in dim, flickering lights that burn out transformers.
Our Philosophy: We design for the 10-year timeline, not just the install day photo. We may be more expensive upfront, but our “Lifetime Cost” is lower because we do it right the first time.
The “Lifetime Cost” Trap:
The 12-Month Plant: Low-bid installers often skip soil amendment. Plants look great for 6 months, then suffocate in compacted clay. Cost to fix: Paying for the project twice.
Drainage Disasters: Cheap patios often lack proper pitch or sub-base drainage. This leads to settling pavers or water pooling against your home’s foundation.
Voltage Drop: Poorly wired lighting systems save money on wire but result in dim, flickering lights that burn out transformers.
Our Philosophy: We design for the 10-year timeline, not just the install day photo. We may be more expensive upfront, but our “Lifetime Cost” is lower because we do it right the first time.
Same-as-cash options are available for qualified buyers.
Spread the cost of a "Backyard, Built" package over 5-10 years, similar to a home improvement loan or HELOC.
Yes. We treat landscape design like architecture. A small design retainer ensures you get a thoughtful, to-scale plan that considers drainage, elevation, and long-term growth. This fee is often credited toward your project if you move forward with us.
Absolutely. We design master plans that can be installed in phases. However, we recommend installing wire/sleeves before sod or pavers go down to save money on labor later.
A standard lighting install takes 1-2 days. A full backyard transformation typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on weather.
