This back yard was overgrown and sloped sharply away from the house.

Stone retaining walls terrace the yard.

The steps are old and dangerous.

The new steps are less treacherous.  The rod iron handrail provides additional safety.

The small patio area was narrow and overgrown.

The area is now nicely landscaped.  Fieldstone steppers lead to the upper and lower stairs.

The patio area is too small to be functional.

The new paver patio is decorative and functional.

The retaining walls provide additional level space for the patio.

Stone steps lead to the upper level.

The back yard of this home dropped off into unusable space.  Ugly railroad ties were used to create small planting spaces.

Stone walls create beautiful terraces for plantings.

This back yard had a steep grade off the deck.  There was little usable space for entertaining.

Wood retaining walls were built and soil was brought in to level the area. The large patio and arbor create a wonderful space for entertaining or just relaxing.

Steps with a decorative handrail provide access to the lower yard.

This back yard was totally unusable.

Stone retaining walls create two large usable terraces.

The client wanted to create a sheltered area for entertaining by the pool.

The smaller retaining wall was removed and a footer was dug beneath the larger retaining wall to provide the necessary space.

The area around the Magnolia was excavated by hand to preserve the roots.

The new pergola comes complete with a refrigerator and freezer.

Wisteria will eventually cover the top to provide wonderful shade in the summer.

This area was chosen as the site for the new hot tub.

Due to  space constraints a small wall was constructed for seating.

Fieldstone walls and stairs were constructed to provided access from the pool area.

Only two years later wisterea covers the pergola.

The walkways of this hillside home were constructed of landscape timbers and gravel.

The unattractive walks are replaced with natural fieldstone steppers.

The gravel pathway is stark and uninteresting.

Graceful landscape beds surround the natural stepper walkways.

Landscape timbers hold the grade for planting areas.

Ground cover and pine needle mulch keep the hillside from slipping.

Dry stacked stone walls create level planting areas.

The old steel pool had inadequate filtration system that could not be updated.  The client wanted to relocate the new pool to another area of the yard.  The old pool was filled with pea gravel to prevent settling. 

The old pool area was to become a raised vegetable garden.  Stone planters were constructed.

An arbor was installed as entry to the garden.

Limestone chips were used for walkways.  They prevent mud from surfacing as well as deter insects.

The raised planters provide elevated gardening spaces as well as improved drainage.

A new location was selected for the pool.

Retaining walls were installed to level the area and provide additional privacy.

The client also wanted to increase the size of the patio.

As you can see extensive grading was required for this project.

The end result is level useful space.  The old shrubs behind the house have been removed.  The area will be landscaped when the house additions are completed.