In brief
Where the front yard is designed to be seen from the street, the backyard is designed to be lived in. It's where summer dinners happen, morning coffee on the terrace, kids playing, time spent with family or friends. The goal shifts from first-glance impression to everyday comfort and privacy from neighbours.
Backyard landscaping typically combines a patio for dining and relaxing, often paired with a pergola to create shade and visually define the living zone. Low walls can separate a terrace from a planting bed or hold back a gentle slope. Hedges and plantings bring the privacy homeowners want from neighbouring lots, without turning the yard into a fortress.
A backyard that works well usually divides the space into zones: a dining corner near the house, a shaded relaxation zone under the pergola, open space for kids or a future garden, sometimes an outdoor fireplace corner in natural stone. We plan these zones with you based on how you actually use the space, not a generic template.
Custom-built patios and pergolas to create a shaded zone and a comfortable outdoor living space, sized to your yard.
Low walls to define a terrace, hold back a gentle slope or create a landing — in natural stone or block. See our Stone walls page for options.
Terrace, steps or an outdoor fireplace in quarry-selected natural stone, for a living space with character.
Cedar hedges or dense shrubs to create a visual screen from neighbouring lots, combined with ornamental perennials.
Ponds and decorative water features for a soothing atmosphere in a backyard relaxation corner, with a cascade if desired.
Stormwater management and grading to prevent persistent puddling on the terrace or near the house.
We plan a dining corner, relaxation zone and open space based on how you actually use your yard — not a generic layout stamped onto your lot.
Hedges, plantings and wall height positioned to create privacy from neighbours, without turning the yard into a closed-off enclosure.
Pergola positioned based on your lot's actual sun exposure, not just for looks.
Free on-site estimate to assess your current yard and propose a realistic project for your budget and how you live.
The front yard is designed to be seen from the street — a public space that gives the property's first impression. The backyard is designed to be lived in day to day: dining outdoors, relaxing, privacy from neighbours. Materials can look similar (paving, natural stone), but the space's organization and priorities differ: everyday comfort rather than curb appeal.
A standard patio typically takes 4 to 7 days of site work. A full project including patio, pergola, wall and plantings can span 2 to 4 weeks depending on scope. Planning (meeting, detailed quote) typically adds 1 to 3 weeks before work begins.
Strategically placed cedar hedges or dense shrubs create an effective visual screen without the closed-in feel of a full-height fence around the entire perimeter. We often combine a partial hedge with a low wall or a lattice pergola to block direct sightlines from neighbours while keeping the space open and airy.
In Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, Mirabel and most municipalities in the MRC de Deux-Montagnes: a ground-level terrace generally needs no permit, but a raised patio over 60 cm tall usually does. A pergola attached to the house or exceeding a certain height may also require one. We systematically check your municipality's bylaw before work begins.
Yes, a pond or decorative water feature can be added to an already landscaped yard, provided we assess machinery access and its placement relative to existing drainage. We plan the integration so the feature fits naturally into what's already there rather than looking like an afterthought.
