Plan the backyard you actually want — then get matched with a builder, free.
Thinking about a patio, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, or full backyard upgrade? Slate & Sod helps you plan the project, understand real cost ranges, and get matched free with licensed, insured local builders.
- Always free for homeowners
- Licensed & insured builders
- You compare quotes
- 10 languages
Projects
What do you want to build outside?
Pick a project to see what's involved, the design and material choices that matter, honest cost ranges, and a free way to find a local builder.
Materials
Choose the right materials
Every material has a look, a lifespan, an upkeep level, and a price. Here's the plain-language version.
Versatile, repairable, budget-friendly
Premium look, long life
One surface, many patterns
Classic, warm, durable
Raised decks and structures
Affordable paths and fill
How it works
Design, build, enjoy
Three simple stages — and you stay in control of the budget and the decisions the whole way.
Settle on the project, the materials, and a real budget — with honest ranges, not guesses.
Get matched with licensed, insured local builders and compare clear written quotes.
Choose your builder, confirm scope and price in writing, and enjoy the outdoor space you planned.
Honest pricing
Honest outdoor-living cost ranges
Real numbers depend on the size, the materials, your site, and your area. These are typical ranges, not quotes.
Services
Outdoor-living & hardscape work
The kinds of projects the licensed builders we match you with handle.
What patio building involves — base prep, materials, edging, drainage — how builders price it, what to watch for, and how to find a licensed patio builder near you.
Learn more → Outdoor kitchen design and buildHow outdoor kitchens are built — framing, counters, appliances, gas and water lines — design options, honest cost ranges, and how to find a builder who specializes in them.
Learn more → Retaining walls, grading and drainageWhen you need a retaining wall or regrading, the engineering and drainage that matter, material choices, honest cost ranges, and how to find a qualified builder.
Learn more → Fire pits, fireplaces and fire tablesHow builders install fire pits, fireplaces, and gas fire features safely — fuel options, clearances, permits, honest cost ranges, and how to get matched with a pro.
Learn more → Decorative concrete and masonry workStamped concrete, masonry, stone veneer, and steps — what each involves, how builders price it, the finishes available, and how to find a masonry pro near you.
Learn more → Decks, pergolas and shade structuresDecks, pergolas, pavilions, and covered patios — material choices, attached vs freestanding, honest cost ranges, and how to find a builder for outdoor structures.
Learn more →Start with the backyard you actually want
A good outdoor project starts with a simple question: how do you want to use the space? Some homeowners want a quiet patio for coffee and family dinners. Others want an outdoor kitchen for weekend cooking, a fire pit for evenings outside, or a safer yard with walkways, walls, and better drainage.
You do not need to know all the construction terms before you start. It helps to begin with the basics: what you want to build, how many people will use it, and what matters most to you — cooking, shade, privacy, low maintenance, or a nicer place to gather.
If you are still comparing ideas, browse common project types first. That can help you narrow down what fits your yard, your budget, and your daily life.
What projects usually involve
Most outdoor-living projects combine design choices, materials, site work, and finish details. A patio might include pavers, natural stone, or concrete, plus edging, steps, lighting, and drainage. An outdoor kitchen may add counters, storage, a grill area, and utility connections. A retaining wall or pool deck has its own rules about layout, grading, safety, and materials.
Site conditions matter more than many homeowners expect. Slope, soil, drainage, access to the backyard, tree roots, existing concrete, and how close utilities are can all change the price and the plan. That is why online numbers are only rough ranges, not quotes.
For gas and electrical work, a licensed professional and permits are required. If your project includes a taller retaining wall, drainage concerns, or anything structural, local rules may also require engineering review. Slate & Sod gives general information only — we are a free matching service, not a contractor, builder, or design firm, and we do not perform construction work.
Honest ballpark costs
Homeowners usually want at least a rough idea of price before talking to builders. Across the US, small to mid-size paver patios often start in the low thousands and can run into the teens or more depending on size and materials. Outdoor kitchens commonly start around the mid-thousands for a simple setup and can climb much higher for larger layouts, premium finishes, gas, electric, plumbing, and appliances. Fire pits, retaining walls, pergolas, walkways, and full backyard projects also vary widely.
A few common rough ranges people often see:
- Paver or stone patio: often about $15 to $40+ per square foot
- Outdoor kitchen: often about $7,000 to $30,000+
- Fire pit or outdoor fireplace: often about $2,000 to $15,000+
- Retaining wall: often about $40 to $150+ per square foot of wall face
- Walkway: often about $10 to $30+ per square foot
- Pergola: often about $3,000 to $15,000+
These are not quotes. The real number depends on project size, materials, site conditions like slope, access, drainage, and soil, plus your area, labor rates, permits, and what is already in the yard. If you want a closer budgeting starting point, visit our cost guides.
How the free matching service works
Slate & Sod helps homeowners connect with local outdoor-living and hardscape builders. The service is free for homeowners. We are not the builder, and we do not do the construction. Our role is to help you get started and point you toward licensed, insured local companies that handle the kind of project you want.
When you get matched, we collect only basic contact and project-intent details: your name, phone number, optional email, project type, ZIP code, rough budget, and preferred language. We do not ask for bank details, Social Security numbers, income documents, or other sensitive financial records.
If you want to see the full process first, read how it works. The goal is simple: help you compare options without feeling lost or rushed.
How to choose a builder without getting pressured
Even for a simple patio, it is smart to compare a few written quotes. Ask each builder what is included, what materials they plan to use, how drainage will be handled, whether permits may be needed, and what could change the final price. Make sure the scope and payment terms are in writing before work starts.
Watch for red flags:
- Large cash-only deposits
- No proof of license or insurance
- Vague quotes with missing details
- No written contract
- Pressure to sign right away or "today only" pricing
You stay in control. You set the budget, compare written quotes, choose who to hire, and confirm the scope and price before any work begins. Costs, permits, HOA rules, and what is allowed vary by area, so always verify local requirements with your builder and local building department.
We help you understand the project, see real cost ranges, and connect free with licensed, insured local builders so you can compare quotes and choose what fits.
Ready to plan your outdoor space?
Tell us what you'd like to build. Free for homeowners, contact and project details only — you compare written quotes and choose who to hire, and confirm the scope and price before any work starts.