Start with one plan for the whole yard
The most expensive makeover is the one that gets redone. A single plan for the patio, walkways, lighting, plantings and any future pool or kitchen means every phase fits the next one. Wiring and gas lines go in before the stone, and grades and drainage are set once. That's why every quote we send comes with a 3D design of the whole yard.
What gives the most impact per dollar
- A paver patio sized for how you live. Room for a table and a lounge area is usually enough. You can always extend it later.
- Low-voltage lighting. A modest system on steps, walls and a few trees changes how the yard looks and feels at night.
- Privacy screening. A row of evergreens along the property line makes a small yard feel private.
- Fresh grading and sod. Fixing low spots and drainage makes everything else look finished.
- A fire pit or seat wall. Built-in seating around a fire feature costs less than a full outdoor room and gets used most of the year.
Typical published costs
| Project | Published range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paver patio | About $21–$36 per sq ft installed | A 400 sq ft patio works out to roughly $8,400–$14,400 at those rates |
| Landscape lighting | About $3,000–$20,000 for most installs | A 10-light starter system is about $3,000–$3,500 |
| Outdoor kitchen | About $6,300–$27,000 mid-range | National figure; depends on length, appliances and countertops |
| Retaining wall | About $19–$60 per face sq ft | 2022 Long Island figures; expect higher today |
These are published market ranges from Long Island contractors' cost guides and national cost sites, not CMC prices. Your number depends on your yard, access and finishes. We give a written quote after a free visit.
A sensible order to build in
- Phase 1: grading, drainage, patio and walkways, with sleeves and conduit for later work.
- Phase 2: lighting, plantings and privacy screening.
- Phase 3: outdoor kitchen, pavilion or pool, built into the space you already planned.
Doing the dirty work first (excavation, base, drainage) means later phases don't tear up finished areas.
Updated November 2026.
