The short answer
Start with use, drainage and finished elevations. Complete underground drainage and irrigation before soil, gardens, lawns, pavers and other visible finishes.
Begin with the finished yard—not the first machine on site
Before excavation begins, decide how the property needs to work. Access, play areas, garden space, outdoor seating, pets, parking and future structures all affect grades, irrigation zones and material choices.
A clear finished plan does not need to be an elaborate drawing for every residential project. It does need enough detail to establish elevations, drainage paths, hard surfaces, lawn and garden areas, irrigation coverage and the order of construction.
- How each area will be used
- What must remain on the property
- Where people, pets and equipment need access
- Which features may be added later
Solve water movement and grades first
Campbell River rainfall quickly exposes low areas, compacted ground and poor transitions around buildings. New finishes should never be used to hide a drainage problem.
The construction plan should identify where surface water can travel, whether collection points or solid pipe are needed and how the finished lawn, garden and hardscape elevations will meet the home, driveway and property boundaries.
- Confirm positive drainage away from structures
- Identify a suitable and lawful outlet
- Coordinate downspouts, catch basins and swales
- Allow for the final depth of soil, sod, pavers and mulch
Install drainage, sleeves and irrigation before finishes
Underground work is easier, cleaner and usually less expensive before lawns, gardens and hard surfaces are complete. Irrigation mainlines, valves, lateral routes and sleeves should be coordinated with the final landscape plan.
Planning irrigation at the same time as landscaping also makes it possible to separate lawns and gardens into appropriate watering zones instead of forcing one schedule onto every plant type.
Build the property in a deliberate sequence
A typical complete installation moves from removal and rough grading into drainage, underground services, hardscape bases, growing soil, irrigation completion and visible landscape finishes. The exact sequence changes with access and design, but finished work should be protected from later equipment traffic.
Material deliveries should also be planned around access. Soil, aggregate, pavers, plants and turf all require space, and a good sequence prevents stockpiles from blocking the next trade or damaging completed work.
What to prepare before requesting a quote
Useful information helps a landscape contractor understand the site quickly and price the correct scope. Start with the address, photographs, approximate dimensions, desired features and any known drainage or access concerns.
For new construction, provide the site plan and any landscape, civil or architectural drawings available. For an existing yard, identify what should stay, what can be removed and the outcome that matters most.
- Property address and contact details
- Current photographs and rough measurements
- Desired lawn, garden, irrigation and hardscape areas
- Known drainage, access or utility constraints
- Target timing and a realistic budget range