Landscape Design Built Around Your Yard
Practical plans for layout, drainage and materials — drawn up by the same people who will build them.
Landscape Design
A good landscape starts as a plan. Before anything gets dug, we work out where the patio should sit, how water will leave the yard, which areas get lawn versus planting beds, and where lighting and irrigation need to run. Getting those decisions right on paper is far cheaper than fixing them after the sod is down.
We start by asking what you want the yard to do. Some homeowners want a front yard that looks sharp from the street and needs little upkeep. Others want a backyard for kids, dogs, dinners outside or a quiet place to sit in the evening. Your answers drive every other decision.
Then we look closely at the property itself: the slope, where water collects after a storm, which spots bake in afternoon sun, how equipment will get in, and what existing trees, walls or concrete are worth keeping. Problems like pooling, erosion, awkward grade changes and dead corners usually have a design answer.
A plan can cover any mix of paver patios, walkways, retaining walls, lawn, planting beds, landscape lighting, sprinkler and drip zones, and drainage fixes. We’ll help you weigh options — low-water planting, privacy screening, modern clean lines or a softer traditional look — against your budget and how much maintenance you’re willing to do.
The big advantage of designing with Exact Landscapes is that the plan comes from the crew that installs it. Every line on the drawing is something we know how to build, in an order that makes sense, at a cost we can stand behind. No pretty concept that falls apart once a contractor prices it.
Whether you’re starting from bare builder dirt or reworking a yard that never quite worked, a design gives you one clear picture of the finished space — and lets you build it all at once or in phases.
A design can cover
- Layout of lawn, beds, patios and paths
- Grading and drainage fixes
- Paver and retaining wall selections
- Plant and tree selection for Utah conditions
- Sprinkler and drip zoning
- Landscape lighting placement
- Phasing plan if you want to build in stages
Our Landscape Design Process
Design is a short, collaborative process that ends with a plan you’re confident building.
On-site consultation
We walk the property with you, talk through goals and budget, and note slope, drainage, sun, access and anything worth keeping.
Design and build planning
We lay out hardscape, lawn, planting, irrigation and lighting, then refine it with you until the plan and the budget line up — with a realistic timeline.
Final approval and prep
We confirm the scope and material selections in writing so the hand-off from plan to installation is seamless.
Landscape Design FAQs
Common questions about planning a new yard or a remodel.
What does a landscape design include?
A layout of the whole space — lawn, beds, patios, walkways, walls — plus how water drains, where irrigation zones and lighting go, and which materials and plants to use. The goal is a plan specific enough to price and build.
Do I need a full redesign, or just a few updates?
Not every yard needs a start-over. If the bones are good, we may only suggest a new patio, better drainage or a refreshed bed layout. We’ll tell you honestly which approach makes sense for your property and budget.
Can my yard look great and still be easy to maintain?
Yes. Water-wise plants, drip irrigation, clean edging, rock or mulch beds and a right-sized lawn can cut weekly upkeep dramatically without making the yard feel bare.
Do you only design, or do you build it too?
We build what we design. Having one team handle both means the plan is realistic from day one and nothing gets lost between a designer and a separate installer.
How much does landscape design cost?
It depends on the size and complexity of the project. Reach out for a free estimate and we’ll explain exactly how design is handled and priced for your yard before you commit to anything.
Why choose Exact Landscapes for landscape design?
With 8+ years of hands-on landscape construction, we design things we know will hold up — proper drainage, solid bases and plant choices that suit Utah’s climate — and we’re straightforward about cost from the start.
Why homeowners choose Exact Landscapes
What local customers mention most: clear communication, solid work and yards that hold up.
Discover our completed projects across the area
Every pin is a real job. Click a project to see what we did.
Overgrown Garden Bed Replaced with Sod and Pavers in Tooele
A weed-choked bed along two fence lines became open lawn with a paver mow strip that makes edging easy.
Dirt Backyard to Clean Sod Lawn in West Valley City
A new-construction backyard of bare builder dirt — and muddy dog paws — turned into a level green lawn.
Gravel Parking Pad Install in West Jordan Without the Concrete Price Tag
An unused side-yard strip became a solid, well-draining parking pad for an extra vehicle — at a fraction of concrete cost.
From Debris-Covered Dirt to a Clean Grassy Backyard in Highland
Trash, pallets, rocks and weeds cleared — including under the deck — and the whole yard sodded for summer.
Full Backyard Landscape Remodel With Privacy Trees and Lighting
Twelve 15-foot privacy trees, a perimeter cedar fence, new sprinklers and uplighting — one crew, one project.
Post-Pool Landscape Install with Sod, Curbing, and Lava Rock in Lehi
After the pool crew left: 250 ft of concrete curbing, black lava rock beds and fresh sod around a new pool and trampoline.
Plan Your New Yard Today
Book a free consultation and get a clear plan for the outdoor space you actually want.