Case Study: Backyard Transformation in Laval

A young family in the Duvernay neighborhood of Laval reached out to us after purchasing their first home. The backyard was essentially a blank slate -- bare soil left behind by the previous owner who had removed an above-ground pool, surrounded by overgrown weeds and a few struggling shrubs along the fence line. The family wanted a safe, attractive outdoor space where their two young children could play and where they could host weekend barbecues with extended family. The property had several challenges typical of Laval suburban lots. The soil was heavy clay with poor drainage, and the grade sloped slightly toward the foundation rather than away from it -- a common issue that can lead to basement moisture problems if left uncorrected. The lot was also wider than average, which gave us more room to work with but required careful zone planning to avoid the space feeling empty or disconnected. We began by regrading the entire backyard, establishing a proper two-percent slope away from the house foundation. A French drain was installed along the rear of the property to manage water runoff from the neighboring uphill lot. We brought in four inches of premium screened topsoil over the regraded surface and installed fresh Kentucky bluegrass sod from a Quebec farm. Along the perimeter, we designed structured planting beds with a layered approach -- low-maintenance perennials including hostas, daylilies, and ornamental grasses backed by compact hydrangea shrubs and anchored by a pair of columnar cedar trees for year-round green structure. All beds were edged with Permacon Villagio stone borders for a clean, defined look. A curved walkway in Techo-Bloc Borealis pavers connects the back door to a small circular gathering area at the far end of the yard, creating a natural flow through the space. The entire project was completed in eight working days, and the family was able to enjoy their new backyard for the remainder of the summer. They later told us it completely changed how they use their home and that the children spend hours outside every day.