Finished bluestone paver patio with charcoal border in a Greater Boston backyard by American Elm Landscape
37 Years of Boston Patio & Hardscape Expertise

Boston's Patio Design Specialists

A Modern Company with Old Fashion Pride

★★★★★ 4.6 out of 5 · 55+ Google reviews

From a Back Bay brick courtyard to a backyard in Medford, we design and build patios, outdoor kitchens, walls, and hardscape all over Greater Boston — and we build them to take our winters.

★★★★★  4.6 on Google · 56 reviews · 37 years in Greater Boston

Watch

Small Yard? No Problem.

A quick hello from Allan on what we do with tight Greater Boston backyards.

37+
Years Experience
500+
Patios Built
100%
Licensed & Insured
Free
Consultations
Patio & Hardscape Services

Custom Patio Design for Greater Boston

We build outdoor spaces that fit Boston homes and hold up to our winters. Every job starts with a free visit and a written estimate — no vague numbers, no surprises.

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Paver Patio Design & Installation

Custom paver patios built to survive New England freeze-thaw winters — set on a deep, compacted base with proper drainage so they don't heave, crack, or pool water after a storm. Concrete pavers, natural bluestone, granite, and brick, all built for climate resilience.

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Outdoor Kitchen Design & Build

Turn your patio into an entertainer's dream with a fully custom outdoor kitchen — built-in grill, countertops, pergola, and lighting designed around the way you live.

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Retaining Walls

Natural stone, concrete block, or brick retaining walls that solve grade and drainage challenges — built with proper backfill and drainage behind the wall so they hold back soil and water for the long haul, and add usable, level space around your patio.

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Outdoor Living Spaces

Pergolas, shade structures, fire pits, and seating walls that turn a paver patio into a true outdoor room. We design the shade and structure around how you actually use the space and integrate it with the hardscape, so the patio, shade, and seating all work together.

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Landscape Lighting

Low-voltage patio, path, and accent lighting built into your hardscape — it highlights the pavers, steps, and walls, adds safety after dark, and extends the use of your patio well into the evening.

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Walkways, Steps & Driveways

Custom paver walkways, bluestone steps, and decorative driveways that add curb appeal and complement your home's architecture.

See It For Yourself

Our Work in Action

Short clips of real projects across Greater Boston. Tap to play.

American Elm Landscape patio project video
American Elm Landscape patio project video
American Elm Landscape patio project video
American Elm Landscape patio project video
American Elm Landscape patio project video
American Elm Landscape patio project video
American Elm Landscape softscape and planting project video
American Elm Landscape patio and hardscape project video
Why Choose Us

Boston's Most Trusted Patio Builder

Thirty-seven years of building here means we know what lasts in New England — and what falls apart after a couple of winters.

37

Years in Boston

We've been building patios in Greater Boston since 1989. We know the neighborhoods, the soil, the weather, and what lasts.

500+

Patios Completed

From small South End courtyards to full Cambridge backyard transformations — we've done it all across Greater Boston.

100%

Written Estimates

Every project starts with a free on-site consultation and a detailed written estimate. No surprises, no hidden costs.

Client Reviews

What Greater Boston Homeowners Say

Real reviews from our customers across Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and beyond.

4.6
★★★★★
Rated 4.6 out of 5 · 57 Google reviews
How It Works

Our Simple 4-Step Process

From first call to finished patio — here's how we work.

1

Free Consultation

We come to your property, assess the space, listen to your vision, and discuss materials, budget, and timeline.

2

Custom Design & Quote

We provide a detailed written estimate with design plan. No vague numbers — you know exactly what you're getting.

3

Expert Installation

Our crew handles everything — grading, base prep, installation, and cleanup. We treat your property like our own.

4

You Enjoy It

We walk you through the finished project, make sure you're 100% satisfied, and leave you with a patio built to last.

Where We Build

Patio Design Across Greater Boston

We build all over Boston and the towns around it — city yards, brownstone courtyards, suburban backyards, you name it. Not sure if we reach you? Just ask.

Ready for Your Dream Patio?

Give us a call for a free, no-pressure look at your project. Straight answers from folks who've been building Boston patios since 1989.

📞 (781) 859-5304
Good Questions

Patio & Hardscape FAQs

The questions we hear most from Greater Boston homeowners.

How much does a paver patio cost in Boston?

A paver or brick patio runs about $38 per square foot installed — roughly $5,500 for a standard 12×12 (144 sq ft). Natural bluestone runs about $50 per square foot, around $7,200 for the same size. Access, yard grade, and drainage can move the number, and every job gets a free written estimate — call (781) 859-5304.

What patio materials work best in Boston winters?

For Boston's freeze-thaw climate, we recommend concrete pavers, natural bluestone, or granite. They're dense enough to resist cracking in New England winters and need minimal maintenance. After 37 years here, we know exactly what lasts.

Do you design outdoor kitchens?

Yes — outdoor kitchens are one of our specialties. We design and build full setups with built-in grills, granite or concrete countertops, pergolas, and lighting across Greater Boston.

How long does patio installation take?

Most paver patio projects take 3–7 days to install depending on size and scope. We handle the permitting, grading, base prep, and installation. Call (781) 859-5304 for a free estimate and timeline.

Do I need a permit for a patio in Massachusetts?

Usually not for a ground-level patio — but retaining walls 4 feet or taller, covers, or work in historic districts can. We handle the paperwork. See our Massachusetts permit guide.

Do you offer financing or payment plans?

Most projects run on a simple milestone schedule — a deposit to hold your spot, a payment at start, and the balance at completion. We spell out the exact terms in your written estimate so there are no surprises. Call (781) 859-5304 to talk it through.

Can you build a patio in a small or hard-to-access city backyard?

Absolutely — tight city lots are our specialty. We regularly build in Somerville triple-deckers, narrow Cambridge side yards, and Medford spaces with no truck access, moving materials in by hand or small equipment when we have to. A small yard, done right, becomes the best room in the house.

When is the best time of year to build a patio in New England?

Spring through fall is prime, but we install in almost any season the ground isn't frozen solid — and booking in late fall often means a faster start and a yard that's ready to enjoy by spring. See our guide on the best time to build a patio in New England.

Do pavers need sealing or a lot of maintenance?

Quality pavers are low-maintenance — an occasional rinse and the odd weed in the joints. Sealing is optional; it deepens the color and makes cleanup easier, and we're happy to tell you whether it's worth it for your space. Nothing about a good patio should feel like a chore.

What if water pools in my yard after it rains?

Drainage is half of a patio done right. We grade the site and build in proper pitch and base so water moves away from your home instead of pooling under the pavers — which is exactly what makes cheap patios heave and sink. If you've got a wet yard, tell us; we fix that all the time.

Do you remove my old patio, concrete, or deck first?

Yes — demo and haul-away of old patios, concrete, or tired decking is part of the job, and we include it in your written estimate. You don't need to clear anything out beforehand.

Do you do pet-friendly yards or synthetic turf?

We do — synthetic turf and clean, low-maintenance layouts are popular with dog owners tired of mud and brown patches. It drains well, stays green year-round, and ends the muddy-paw problem. See our synthetic turf guide.

What towns do you serve?

We work across Greater Boston — Somerville, Cambridge, Medford, Malden, Everett, Brookline, and the surrounding neighborhoods. Not sure if you're in range? Call (781) 859-5304 — you probably are.

Will you actually listen to what I want, or just drop in a standard design?

Every project starts with us listening. On the first visit we walk your space, hear how you want to use it, and talk through materials and layout before anything’s drawn up — so you know exactly what we’re building and why. No cookie-cutter package.

Do you stand behind your work?

We do — it’s in your written estimate, and it’s how we’ve built a 37-year reputation. If something isn’t right, we come back and make it right. We’re the crew that gets called to fix other people’s failed patios, so we don’t cut the corners that cause those failures.

My yard is steep, sloped, or uneven — can you make it usable?

Yes. Leveling a slope, building retaining walls, and adding steps to connect grades is some of our favorite work. We turn a yard you can’t stand on into flat, usable space while fixing how water moves through it.

Our yard’s a blank slate after construction — where do we start?

That’s a great place to start — clean canvas, no demo. We walk it with you, talk through how you want to use the space, and lay out a plan (all at once or phased). You don’t need to know what you want yet; that’s our job to help figure out.

Do you install fencing and heated driveways?

Yes to both. We install fencing for privacy and definition, and heated (snow-melt) driveways so you’re not shoveling or plowing all winter — both designed to work with your hardscape and the rest of your property.

Get In Touch

Get Your Free Patio Quote

Tell us about your project and we'll be back in touch within 24 hours to schedule a free on-site consultation.

Contact Us Directly

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Service AreaBoston, Somerville, Cambridge, Medford & surrounding communities
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Response TimeWithin 24 hours
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HoursOpen 24 hours — live answering service
Visit our full website → americanelmlandscape.com

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