Transforming your backyard begins with a thorough assessment of what already exists: drainage, ground levels, existing structures, and your family’s needs. A successful landscaping project is built on solid foundations — not on improvised aesthetic choices. Here are the essential steps to follow when planning a sustainable and cohesive outdoor design.
Assess the Current Condition of Your Property
Before envisioning a deck or an outdoor fireplace, take the time to carefully observe your property. Certain hidden issues could compromise your future landscaping investment.
Questions to ask yourself:
- Does water accumulate in certain areas after rain or snowmelt?
- Is your property level, or does it have significant slopes?
- Have you noticed signs of moisture in the basement or near the foundation?
- Do existing structures — such as the driveway entrance or low walls — show signs of movement or settling?
- Has your French drain been inspected recently?
Define Your Needs and Priorities
Successful landscaping addresses your real needs — not just your current desires. Think carefully about how you intend to use your outdoor space on a daily basis.
Key considerations:
- Primary functions: family meals, children’s play, relaxation, gardening, entertaining?
- Traffic flow: how do you move between the house, the parking area, and the backyard?
- Privacy: do you need screening from neighbouring sightlines?
- Maintenance: how much time are you willing to dedicate to upkeep?
- Evolution: will your needs change in the coming years?
Setting Priorities: What Comes First
The order of work in a landscaping project is never arbitrary. Certain tasks must be completed before others to avoid undoing what has just been done.
The logical sequence of work:
- 1. Foundations and drainage: repair cracks, install or replace French drains
- 2. Earthwork: correct slopes, establish desired grade levels
- 3. Major structures: swimming pool, retaining walls, raised decks
- 4. Surfaces: pavers, slabs, asphalt for the driveway
- 5. Fences and boundaries: once final grade levels have been established
- 6. Plantings and finishing touches: vegetation, lighting, outdoor furnishings
The Importance of the Big Picture
A project carried out in stages without an overall plan often costs more and produces less harmonious results. Even if you intend to spread the work over several years, having a comprehensive vision from the outset will help you avoid costly mistakes.
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Installing a deck without verifying drainage — only to tear it down later to resolve a water infiltration issue
- Laying pavers without planning for the future location of a pool — forcing you to start over entirely
- Planting large mature trees too close to the house or other structures
- Selecting materials that won’t complement future additions
“A well-thought-out project is built before the first shovel of dirt is even turned. At 360 Fonda Pro, we don’t just lay pavers — we design outdoor spaces as a whole: drainage, ground levels, traffic flow, orientation, and structure. It’s this comprehensive approach that creates cohesive and lasting outdoor living environments.” — Pier-Olivier Grandmaison, Landscaping Division Manager
When to Start Planning Winter is the ideal time to plan. Contractors are more available for consultations, you have time to reflect without pressure, and work can begin as soon as the ground thaws in spring. A project that is thoughtfully planned in February can be fully realized by summer.
