Should I hire one company for the whole backyard project or separate contractors?

One company that can run design, hardscaping, and planting together usually means fewer scheduling headaches and one point of accountability, but check whether they do the hardscape work themselves or subcontract it, and get references either way.

How long does a full backyard renovation take in Connecticut?

Depends heavily on scope, but a project involving a patio, walls, and planting commonly runs several weeks to a few months once work actually starts, not counting design and permitting time beforehand.

Do I need a permit for a backyard renovation?

Many Connecticut towns require permits for patios over a certain size, retaining walls above a certain height, or anything affecting drainage or setbacks. A design-build firm should handle this for you, but confirm it's included.

Full backyard renovation (design, patio, and planting bundle)

A full backyard renovation usually pulls together work from more than one trade: a designer or design-build firm to lay out the space, a hardscaping crew to pour or set the patio, walkway, or retaining walls, and a planting plan for beds, trees, and lawn area once the hardscape is in. Homeowners taking this on usually don't want to manage three separate contractors and schedules; they want one company (or one closely coordinated team) that can take a backyard from a plan on paper to a finished, usable space in a single project.

This is different from booking a design consultation alone or hiring a mason for a standalone patio, because it means coordinating the sequence: grading and drainage first, then hardscape installation, then planting and often irrigation last. Design-build firms in this guide's landscape design category often either handle the hardscaping in-house or have a regular masonry partner they bring in, so ask up front whether a company can run the whole project or whether you'll need to hire the patio work separately.

Expect a real project timeline for anything beyond a small patio, since permitting, material lead times, and Connecticut's weather windows (spring through fall for most outdoor construction) all affect scheduling.

What it costs

A full renovation costs more than any single piece of it because it stacks design fees, hardscape materials and labor (paver or natural stone patios, walls, walkways), and planting or lawn work into one project. Site conditions matter a lot: grading, drainage, existing tree removal, and access for equipment can all add cost before the visible work even starts. Getting a phased quote (design, then hardscape, then planting) helps you see where the budget is going even if you hire one company for the whole thing.

Top 3 by our score

Ranked from our published scoring of public Google reviews for landscape design & installation.

1. All American Tree & Turf LLC
4.9★ · 166 reviews

90
2. Frascatore Landscaping LLC
5.0★ · 83 reviews

90
3. Lasko Landscaping LLC
4.9★ · 98 reviews

89

See the full ranking → · Browse all providers

FAQ

Should I hire one company for the whole backyard project or separate contractors?: One company that can run design, hardscaping, and planting together usually means fewer scheduling headaches and one point of accountability, but check whether they do the hardscape work themselves or subcontract it, and get references either way.
How long does a full backyard renovation take in Connecticut?: Depends heavily on scope, but a project involving a patio, walls, and planting commonly runs several weeks to a few months once work actually starts, not counting design and permitting time beforehand.
Do I need a permit for a backyard renovation?: Many Connecticut towns require permits for patios over a certain size, retaining walls above a certain height, or anything affecting drainage or setbacks. A design-build firm should handle this for you, but confirm it's included.

When you submit a quote or contact form on this site, your enquiry may be shared with partner providers who can do the work. We may earn a referral fee, but our rankings and scores are based solely on our published scoring method and are never influenced by referral fees.