Hiring Backyard Contractors? It's More Than Landscaping

Texas homeowners should expect more from their local backyard contractors. A beautiful yard is about more than landscaping options. If you’re investing your time and money, you deserve a transformative outdoor living design.

Backyard builders should offer thoughtful design options based on direct experience working on area homes. Their proposals should offer durability against severe Texas weather, stylish hardscaping options that increase property value, and functional design features that make outdoor living simple and enjoyable.

That’s why the best backyard contractors in Texas are also outdoor living designers.

Here are the key things you should expect from your backyard contracting company:

• Landscaping isn’t enough. The best backyard builders set themselves apart with industry-leading hardscaping, premium materials and outdoor living concepts.
• Does your builder offer outdoor living design? These specialists design around your home and lifestyle, translating your vision into a unique, well-planned reality.
• Look for companies that handle full projects. From design inspiration and planning through construction and installation, one contracting firm should handle it all.
• Always demand 5 non-negotiables. Ask for licensing information and proof of insurance. Expect great warranty offers, transparent contracts and clear communication throughout the full scope of your outdoor project.

Why Trust Our Advice on Backyard Contractors?

Allied Outdoor Solutions creates handcrafted outdoor living spaces with dedicated Construction Coordinators and Construction Supervisors. Our fully insured solutions are backed by workmanship and product warranties — we stand behind our work and the brands we trust.

We’ve transformed over 20,000 backyards into dream outdoor spaces for homeowners in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. We used our decades of local experience to build this guide to hiring a local backyard contractor.

Great Outdoor Contracting Requires More Than Landscaping

If you wanted a nice lawn and garden beds, you’d hire a landscaper. But you’re looking for a backyard contractor — that means you’d like a bit more from the project.

Make no mistake, beautiful landscaping can vastly improve a backyard. But a truly transformative outdoor living area involves a variety of service offerings — patio and pergola construction, pool deck installation and outdoor kitchens, to name a few.

Hire a builder who can provide all these services at an expert level, and you’ll get the backyard paradise you’re looking for. 

3 Services Texas Backyard Contractors Should Offer

There are 3 core services a quality backyard builder in Texas should offer:

1. Hardscaping services and installation
2. Outdoor living design
3. Full scope project management

Find a contractor who offers all 3, and you’ll guarantee premium materials, design expertise, and quality management for your project.

Hardscaping Adds High Value to Texas Outdoor Design

Hardscaping is the use of inanimate features (like stone, pavers and metal) in your constructed outdoor space. It’s a simple choice that adds value to your home’s exterior.

And when we say hardscaping adds value, we don’t just mean money. 

Here are 4 valuable reasons to hire a contractor with hardscaping skills:

1. Functionality. Increase usable outdoor spaces with driveways, walkways, patios, pool decks, outdoor kitchens and bars.
2. Curb appeal. The clean, low maintenance look of natural stone, pavers and Carvestone enhances the aesthetic value of your backyard design.
3. Soil control. Hardscape elements like retaining walls, terraces and landscaping borders help control erosion and improve drainage, especially on sloped properties.
4. ROI. Quality patio installation built on hardscape materials adds an average of 8-10% to the property value of homes in Texas.

Hire a Contractor With Outdoor Living Design Expertise

An outdoor living designer creates functional, beautiful outdoor spaces for homeowners. They develop comprehensive designs that focus on how the space will be used, integration with existing home architecture, and proper material selection.

Generally, a backyard contractor and outdoor living designer are two separate people or companies. Designers focus on design, aesthetics and planning of your outdoor space, while contractors focus on installation and construction.

In our experience, the best outdoor construction professionals offer both contracting and design services. Our design-build teams interact seamlessly — no miscommunication, no lack of clarity. Just total cohesion and a stress-free project timeline.

Complete Project Management Equals Peace of Mind

Another benefit of hiring a contractor with outdoor living design experience is full scope project management. 

When the same firm creates a vision for your space and executes that design, you get seamless execution of your plans.

Allied Outdoor Solutions offers a complete project management process. We Design, Prepare and Build your dream outdoor living space, then support how you Live with ongoing maintenance and industry-leading warranty coverage.

How to Hire the Right Backyard Contractor in 3 Steps

Now that you know what services you want, how do you hire the best backyard contracting company for you? 

Where do you find them? What qualifications should they possess? What questions should you ask? And what red flags should you avoid in the hiring process?

Use these 3 steps to hire the best contractor to design and build your outdoor space.

Where to Find a Trustworthy Outdoor Construction Pro

The best place to start your search for an outdoor construction professional is through the Better Business Bureau. Contractors can’t “pay to play”, and BBB accreditation holds tremendous value in the home services industry.

Allied Outdoor Solutions is proud to hold an A+ rating with the BBB. We’ve been accredited since 2009 — feel free to visit our BBB profile.

Back up your BBB research with local customer testimonials and recommendations from your neighbors. Look for success stories and testimonials like this:

Read Allied Outdoor Solutions reviews from over 2,500 Texas homeowners.

20 Qualifications to Look For in a Backyard Builder

What qualifications, certifications and attributes should an ideal outdoor construction professional possess?

Here’s a list of bare minimum, above-and-beyond, and outstanding qualifications to consider when hiring a backyard contractor:

Bare Minimum:

• Active contractor’s license
• Active insurance
• Local construction experience
• Local outdoor design experience
• Texas-specific landscaping and climate knowledge
• Hardscaping construction and material knowledge
• Basic blueprint reading skill
• Strong communication skills
• Proper safety awareness
• Project management experience

Above-and-Beyond:

• Outdoor living designer on staff
• Full scope construction project management services
• Smart home integration in outdoor design features
• Advanced hardscaping material knowledge
• Direct relationship with hardscaping manufacturers
• 3D rendering technology for design creation 

Outstanding:

• BBB accreditation and A+ rating
• Member of TX-specific building associations
• Certifications from concrete installation and home building associations
• International Code Council (ICC) certification

Take a second and check out our credentials and qualifications.

5 Non-Negotiables: How to Spot a Contractor Red Flag

No matter what your hiring process is, there are 5 non-negotiable factors that should eliminate any outdoor contractor from your list:

1. Proof of license. If they can’t furnish an active contractor license from the state of Texas, move on.
2. Active insurance. Again, no wiggle room. If a contractor isn’t fully insured, it’s not just a red flag — it’s a financial disaster if something goes wrong on the job.
3. Transparent contracts. A credible backyard contractor will walk you through any portion of a work agreement you do not fully understand.
4. Clear communication. Work with a company that assigns one responsible point of contact for your project. (In our case, it’s your dedicated Project Manager.)
5. Excellent warranties. We offer both product warranties and a workmanship warranty on our projects — and we believe every good contractor should do the same. It’s easy to stand behind good work.

5 Texas-Specific Outdoor Design Considerations

We began serving homeowners in Houston. Since then, we’ve expanded across the state of Texas — and gotten very familiar with the unique outdoor design issues that residents face here.

The backyard contractor you choose should have concrete solutions and strategies in place to tackle these 5 local outdoor concerns:

1. Extreme summer heat. Most areas of Texas average 100 days per year of 100°F temperatures. Ask your contractor about the right materials and shade options to protect you (and your patio materials) from the heat.
2. Frequent heavy rains. Did you know Houston gets almost 12” more rain per year than Seattle? An experienced local backyard pro knows how to choose and install pergola and patio covers, and can suggest weatherproof outdoor furniture options.
3. Clay soil concerns. Much of Texas rests on clay soil, which expands, cracks and shifts easily when exposed to moisture. Ask your contractor how to combat erosion with retaining wall and terrace features.
4. Water conservation. Your outdoor design pro should have recommendations for water conservation — both improving drainage in sloped yards, and controlling water usage with a smart sprinkler system.
5. Smart home integration. Texas homeowners in cities and metro areas want their irrigation, landscape lighting and outdoor kitchens connected to smart home hubs. Work with a builder who installs outdoor designs that are compatible with your existing apps and smart home devices.

Our experience designing premium outdoor spaces for homeowners in Texas helps us develop and update the best solutions for these specific issues. 

Demand More From Your Backyard Contractor

When it comes to your yard, landscaping services are a bare minimum service offering. Your backyard contractor should offer construction and design services as part of a full scope project management process.

Make sure your service provider has extensive experience installing outdoor living spaces in your community. Look for pros with relevant solutions for clay soil in North Texas, heavy rainfall in Houston, and 100°F summers throughout the state.

Look for outdoor contractors with accreditation from notable bodies like the Better Business Bureau, ICC, NAHB and the Texas Association of Builders. It’s an excellent sign of trustworthy business practices.

Most importantly — hire someone with the craftsmanship, vision, and experience to transform your yard into a dream outdoor space you’ll enjoy for decades.

Live in Texas? We'd love to talk to you about your outdoor living dreams — and make them a reality.