Backyard renovation
Turn an unused backyard into the space you actually go outside for.
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What's included
Most backyard renovations start with a yard that technically works but doesn't get used — bad drainage, a patio that's too small, dead grass, no real reason to be out there. We rebuild the space around what you'll actually do in it.
That might mean regrading for drainage, adding a proper patio and walkways, low-maintenance gravel or turf zones, or carving out dedicated space for something specific — a fire pit, a dog run, RV parking, a garden.
We start every renovation with a grading survey — checking where water actually goes during a storm, not just where it's supposed to go. Utah code and good practice both call for at least a 2% slope (about a quarter-inch per foot) away from the foundation for the first 10 feet, and we regrade to hit that before any hardscape, turf, or gravel goes down. From there it's demo and haul-away of what's not staying, rough grading, then building out the specific zones — compacted base under any gravel or paver areas, amended topsoil under new turf or planting beds — so the finished yard doesn't just look renovated, it drains and holds up like one.
How it works
Step by step, here's what actually happens on site:
- 1Grading survey to see where water actually flows during a storm, not just where it's supposed to go
- 2Demo and haul-away of dead landscaping, failing hardscape, or anything else not staying
- 3Regrade to establish at least a 2% slope (about a quarter-inch per foot) away from the foundation
- 4Compacted aggregate base installed under any new gravel or paver zones
- 5Amended topsoil placed under new turf or planting beds
- 6Specific zones built out per the plan — patio, RV pad, fire pit, dog run, garden beds
- 7Final grade, sod, and mulch installed last
Why Ironwood
We look at the whole yard as one system — drainage, grade, hardscape, and planting all affect each other — instead of patching one problem area and leaving the rest as-is.
Because the owner is on site during the build, changes and real-world adjustments (a tree root you didn't know was there, a drainage issue that shows up mid-dig) get handled immediately instead of waiting on a call back.
Grading is the first thing we check and the last thing we compromise on — it's invisible once the project is finished, but it's the difference between a yard that sheds water correctly for decades and one that pools against your foundation after year two.
Our process
- 01
Consultation
We walk your property, listen to how you want to use the space, and talk through rough budget and timeline — no pressure, no obligation.
- 02
Design
We put together a plan with real material choices and layout, sized to your yard and your budget, not a generic template.
- 03
Build
Our crew handles grading, base prep, and installation to spec, with the owner checking in on progress at key milestones.
- 04
Walkthrough
We walk the finished space with you, confirm everything meets expectations, and cover care and maintenance before we consider the job done.
Project gallery
Backyard renovation FAQ
My yard has a drainage problem — can you fix that as part of a renovation?
Yes, and we'd rather catch it during design than after. Regrading and drainage work is often the first thing we address before any hardscape goes in.
Can you renovate in phases if I can't do the whole yard at once?
Absolutely — we'll design the full plan and sequence phases so each stage looks finished on its own, not like a half-done project.
Do you remove old concrete, dead landscaping, or a failing patio first?
Yes, demo and haul-away of existing hardscape or dead landscaping is part of the scope when needed.