What Decides the Price of a Houston Backyard

Lower end: A rear terrace in concrete pavers on a properly built base, with no significant change in level.

Upper end: A large travertine or natural stone terrace with seat walls, steps, drains, and borders detailed into the house and the pool.

What moves it: square footage and the paving material; base depth, and how much excavation the clay on your lot requires; drainage — channel drains, french drains, and where the water is taken; seat walls, retaining walls, and steps across grade changes; equipment access to the back of the lot.

Lower end: A rear terrace in a single travertine format over a new compacted base, set with swept joints.

Upper end: A full pool surround in French pattern, mortared and sealed, with coping, step treads, and bullnose edges cut from the same stone.

What moves it: square footage, and the pattern the stone is laid in; stone grade, thickness, and format, and how much of it has to be cut; whether an existing patio or deck has to come out first; base depth, and how much excavation the clay on your lot requires; coping, step treads, and bullnose edges taken from the same stone.

Lower end: A courtyard or garden terrace dry-laid on a compacted base, with sand or decomposed granite joints.

Upper end: A large mortared terrace over a slab with cut borders, boulder steps, and planted joints, every piece fitted individually.

What moves it: square footage, and whether the stone is dry-laid or set in mortar; stone selection — thickness, colour, and the size range chosen; how much cutting and shuffling the fitting takes to keep joints tight; jointing — sand, decomposed granite, mortar, or planted ground cover; steps, boulders, and borders across changes in level.

Lower end: Porcelain tile set on a sound existing slab that needs levelling and preparation rather than replacing.

Upper end: A new slab poured to tolerance with uncoupling and waterproof membranes, large-format stone tile, and a threshold run level with the interior floor.

What moves it: whether a new slab is poured, or the existing one is prepared; tile material, format, and slip rating; membranes, and where the movement joints have to land; square footage, and how much of the layout has to be cut; thresholds and transitions where an interior floor runs out.

Lower end: A broom-finished walkway or a small slab on prepared ground, formed and poured in a single visit.

Upper end: A full driveway replacement with demolition and haul-off, thickened edges, rebar, an apron, and a decorative finish.

What moves it: square footage, and the slab thickness the load calls for; demolition and haul-off of the slab or drive already there; reinforcement, thickened edges, and footings under walls or structures; finish — broom, sand, exposed aggregate, or trowelled smooth under tile; truck and pump access to where the concrete has to go.

Lower end: A short side-yard run in decomposed granite with steel edging and stepping pavers at a single width.

Upper end: A network of garden paths with concrete or stone edging, wide paver steppers, and drainage crossings under each route.

What moves it: path length and width, including gate and bin routes; edging material — steel, concrete, or stone; aggregate depth, and how much excavation the route needs; paver size, count, and the stride spacing they are set at; drainage crossings, thresholds, and steps along the way.

Lower end: A short entry or side-yard grid on an even grade, set out square with a standard turf product between the pavers.

Upper end: A full rear-yard grid with wide joints, cut curves or angles, drain lines under the base, and premium turf seamed tight to every edge.

What moves it: area, paver size, and the joint width the grid is set to; how much cutting and seaming the layout asks for; turf product — pile height, density, and backing; base depth, and the drainage built under the grid; edge restraint against beds, walls, and the paving already there.

Lower end: A low seat-height garden wall in segmental block, holding a modest grade change with drainage behind it.

Upper end: A tall engineered wall, or terraced runs, with geogrid, poured footings, stone facing, caps, and steps built through them.

What moves it: retained height, and the total length of wall; wall type — segmental block, poured concrete, or natural stone; engineering, geogrid, and footing depth for the height being held; drainage — gravel, filter fabric, and pipe taken to daylight; caps, facing, steps, and machinery access to the work area.

Lower end: An open timber pergola over an existing terrace, on footings sized for a straightforward span.

Upper end: A motorised louvered structure, or a finished-ceiling covered patio tied into the roofline, with fans, lighting, heaters, and screens run inside it.

What moves it: span, height, and how much area is covered; structure type — open rafters, solid roof, or adjustable louvers; material — timber, steel, or powder-coated aluminium; engineering and permitting, where the span or the attachment requires it; integrated fans, lighting, heaters, screens, and outlets.

Lower end: A straightforward attached cover over an existing terrace, decked, finished, and lit.

Upper end: A wide cover tied into the roofline with a stained tongue-and-groove ceiling, stone-wrapped columns, fans, recessed lighting, and motorised screens.

What moves it: covered area, span, and how far apart the posts can sit; how the roof ties into the house, and where the gutters discharge; ceiling and column finishes — timber, panelling, stone, or stucco; fans, recessed and pendant lighting, heaters, and outlets; engineering, permitting, and inspection where the structure requires it.

Lower end: A wall-mounted panel roof over an existing patio, in a standard panel thickness and colour.

Upper end: A wide clear span in thicker panels, with powder-coated posts and beams, integrated gutters, recessed lighting, and fans.

What moves it: covered area, and the clear span the panels have to carry unaided; panel thickness, and the factory colour chosen; attachment into the house wall, or freestanding posts and footings; integrated gutters, and where the water is piped to; recessed lighting, fans, and switching set into the panels.

Lower end: A fixed-slat powder-coated frame over an existing slab, anchored on concealed base plates.

Upper end: A large motorised louvered roof with rain sensing and integrated gutters, plus side screens, lighting, and heaters run inside the frame.

What moves it: footprint, span, and the number of posts the design carries; roof type — fixed slat, adjustable louvered, or solid; motorisation, rain sensing, and the controls specified; new footings, or anchoring to a slab already there; integrated lighting, fans, heaters, and privacy screens.

Lower end: A ground-level cedar or treated deck on straightforward footings, with a simple board layout.

Upper end: A raised hardwood deck with stair runs, railings, picture-frame borders, hidden fasteners, and skirted storage beneath it.

What moves it: deck area, and how far above grade it sits; decking material — pressure-treated pine, cedar, or hardwood; framing, footings, and the ledger flashing into the house; stairs, railings, and how many levels the deck steps through; skirting, under-deck access, and the stain or sealer on completion.

Lower end: A ground-level deck in an entry-level capped composite on a new frame, with matching fascia.

Upper end: A large raised deck in a premium board, with picture-frame borders, cable or aluminum railings, stairs, and under-deck drainage.

What moves it: deck area, and how far above grade it sits; composite line and board profile — capped, grained, or premium colours; whether a new frame is built, or an existing one re-spaced to suit; railings, stairs, fascia, and stair nosing; under-deck drainage and ventilation where the space below is used.

Lower end: A single framed panel screening an air conditioning unit or a pool equipment pad.

Upper end: A long run of framed lattice on set posts, or fence toppers along a boundary, stained with climbing wires trained behind it.

What moves it: run length, and the height each panel has to screen to; whether posts are set new, or panels mount to a fence or wall; timber grade, frame section, and the lattice spacing; hardware, and the finish — stained, painted, or left to weather; wires, ties, and the clearance kept behind for climbing planting.

Lower end: A cedar board-on-board replacement on a level line, with the old fence removed and hauled away.

Upper end: A tall horizontal or cap-and-trim run stepped across grade, in a premium grade of cedar or in steel, stained on completion.

What moves it: run length, fence height, and the style built; material — pressure-treated pine, the grade of cedar, or steel; demolition and haul-off of the fence, posts, and concrete already there; post depth and footings, and how much the line steps across grade; gates, hardware, and the stain or sealer on completion.

Lower end: A cedar-clad garden gate hung on new posts, with a latch and no automation.

Upper end: A wide steel driveway gate, fabricated and clad, on deep footings with a slide or swing operator, keypad, intercom, loops, and safety devices commissioned.

What moves it: gate width and weight, and whether it swings or slides; frame material and infill — steel, aluminum, or cedar cladding; hinge and receiver post footings sized for the leaf; the operator, and the controls chosen — keypad, remotes, intercom, loops; power run to the gate, photo eyes, edge sensors, and manual release.

Lower end: A single counter run with a built-in grill, storage doors, and a clad surround, under a cover already there.

Upper end: An L or U-shaped kitchen with a bar overhang, sink, refrigeration, a smoker or pizza oven, stone counters, and task lighting.

What moves it: counter length and layout — a single run, an l, or a u with seating; appliances specified, and the ventilation each one needs; counter material, and the cladding on the carcass; how far gas, water, waste, and dedicated circuits have to be run; task and ambient lighting, and the cover built over the whole thing.

Lower end: A gas fire pit or built-in fire table on a reinforced pad, faced to match the paving around it.

Upper end: A full masonry fireplace with a proportioned firebox and flue, stone facing, a cut hearth and mantel, and wood storage built in.

What moves it: a fire pit or bowl, against a full fireplace with a flue; height and mass of masonry, and the footing it has to sit on; facing material — stone, brick, tile, or stucco; fuel — a gas line and ignition, wood-burning, or both; hearth, mantel, cap, and any seating built around it.

Lower end: A wall-mounted hot and cold shower on an existing slab, draining to a gravel bed behind a simple screen.

Upper end: An enclosed shower with travertine or tiled floor and walls, a drained and piped floor, rain head and handheld, and benches and storage.

What moves it: how far hot and cold supply has to be run from the house; whether the floor drains to a plumbed connection or a gravel sump; floor and wall finish — travertine, tile, flagstone, or cedar slats; fixtures, mixing valves, and freeze protection; screening, benches, hooks, and towel hardware.

Lower end: A rectangular gunite pool with standard decking, a straightforward equipment set, and little grade work.

Upper end: A pool and raised spa with water features, a large stone deck, heating and automation, and the surrounding landscape built with it.

What moves it: pool size, depth, and geometry; spa, spillways, scuppers, and raised walls; deck material, and how much deck the design carries; equipment — heating, automation, sanitation, and lighting; site access, grade, and how much of the yard is rebuilt around the water.

Lower end: A new interior finish and waterline tile on a sound shell, with the equipment left as it is.

Upper end: A full renovation — interior, tile, coping, replaced decking, corrected drainage, variable-speed equipment, automation, lighting, and added water features.

What moves it: pool size, and the interior finish — plaster, quartz, or pebble; how much waterline tile, bond beam, and coping is replaced; deck area replaced or extended, and the drainage corrected with it; equipment — pumps, filters, heating, automation, and lighting; features added while the pool is open: spillways, bubblers, a spa, a ledge.

Lower end: A side yard, dog run, or small play lawn on an even grade, with a standard base and one turf product.

Upper end: A large lawn or a paver-and-turf inlay deck, where the cutting, seaming, and drainage under the surface is most of the labour.

What moves it: square footage, and how cut-up the shape is around beds and paving; turf product — pile height, density, and pet-rated backing; how much excavation, base depth, and drainage the grade needs; paver inlay and edge detailing against hardscape and planting.

Lower end: A lawn replacement on ground that only needs clearing and grading before fresh sod goes down.

Upper end: A large lawn where compacted ground has to be broken up, amended, and regraded, with irrigation corrected first.

What moves it: square footage, and the variety — zoysia, st. augustine, or bermuda; how much old turf and debris has to come out; soil amendment and how much regrading the yard needs; irrigation adjustment, or new zones where coverage is short.

Lower end: A front bed conversion — lawn removed, gravel and decomposed granite laid, and adapted planting at a starter size.

Upper end: A whole yard rebuilt as a designed scheme, with boulders, layered native planting at mature sizes, stone paths, and drip zoned through it.

What moves it: area converted, and how much lawn has to be removed first; plant sizes at delivery, and how densely the scheme is planted; boulders, gravel fields, and decomposed granite quantities; bed edging, mulch depth, and separation fabric where it helps; drip irrigation zones added, or an existing system reworked.

Lower end: Downspouts tied underground and a short French drain run to daylight at one wet corner of the yard.

Upper end: A whole-property system — regrading and swales, catch basins at every low point piped into solid lines, and a dry well where there is no fall to daylight.

What moves it: how much of the yard drains, and how far the water has to be carried; drain line length, pipe size, and trench depth; catch basins, area drains, and downspout connections; whether there is a fall to daylight, or a sump and dry well are needed; regrading, and reinstating sod, turf, or planting over the trenches.

Lower end: Repairs and a retune of an existing system, or a few new zones covering a front lawn.

Upper end: A whole-property system zoned by hydrozone, with drip through every bed, a smart controller, rain and freeze sensors, and backflow prevention to code.

What moves it: property size, and the number of zones the planting actually needs; spray and rotor heads against drip run through beds and to trees; a new system, a retrofit, or repairs to what is already there; the controller and sensors specified; supply tap, pressure and flow, and backflow prevention to code.

Lower end: A front elevation and entry walk — a handful of uplights and path lights on a single transformer.

Upper end: A whole property lit in zones — front, terrace, pool, specimen trees, and structures, on app-based control.

What moves it: fixture count, and how far the low-voltage runs have to reach; fixture quality — cast brass and copper against aluminium; how many zones are switched separately, and transformer sizing; whether conduit is set during a build or retrofitted through finished landscape.

Lower end: A small two-cup green on an even grade, built to roll true without much contour shaped into it.

Upper end: A large multi-cup green with real break, a fringe collar, a chipping approach, and bunkers.

What moves it: green size and the number of cups; how much contour and break is shaped into the base; fringe collar, approach, and chipping areas; bunkers, sub-surface drainage, and lighting for evening practice.

Lower end: A single pickleball court on an engineered slab, with acrylic surfacing and regulation lines.

Upper end: A multi-sport court with cushioned surfacing, perimeter fencing and windscreen, goals, and shielded lighting for play after dark.

What moves it: court size and the sport — pickleball, basketball, tennis, or multi-sport; slab engineering, and how much cut and fill the site needs; surfacing system — cushioned acrylic, modular tile, or synthetic turf; fencing, netting, and windscreen; goals, posts, and court lighting.

Cost is driven by square footage, materials, how much grading and drainage the site needs, and access for equipment — so we do not quote a figure before seeing the property. The ranges published against each service are ballpark figures for a typical Houston project, useful for working out what is worth discussing and not a quote for yours. You get an investment range early in the design conversation and a detailed proposal before work begins.

Houston sits on clay that holds water, and our rain arrives in volume. If grade and drainage are not designed first, turf stays soggy, pavers settle, and beds drown — so drainage is part of the design rather than a repair later.

It depends entirely on scope. A sod or artificial turf installation is usually measured in days, a patio or pergola in weeks, and a full outdoor living build with hardscape, structures, planting, and lighting in months. You get a schedule with the proposal, before anything starts.