Short answer: most small city backyard projects are built from a few parts: a patio, often some drainage or a low wall, planting and lighting. Our installed prices run about $38 per square foot for a concrete paver patio, about $50 for natural bluestone, $15–$20 for synthetic turf, and $75–$100 per shrub or plant. A standard 12×12 paver patio comes to about $5,500. That said, every yard is different. Access, demolition, drainage and grade can all move the number, so we quote each yard only after a free design visit, and you get a written estimate with an exact price.
A small yard isn't automatically a small budget, and it doesn't need to be a large one either. This guide explains where the money goes so you can plan a yard that fits both your space and your budget.
What it costs, piece by piece
These are typical figures, not quotes. Your yard's access, soil, grade and existing conditions all affect the final number.
| Element | Typical installed cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete paver patio | About $38 per sq ft (12×12 ≈ $5,500; 300 sq ft ≈ $11,400) | On a properly excavated, compacted base |
| Natural bluestone patio | About $50 per sq ft (12×12 ≈ $7,200) | The New England classic |
| Synthetic turf | About $15–$20 per sq ft (400 sq ft ≈ $6,000–$8,000) | Small patches can price higher; see synthetic turf |
| Shrubs and plants | About $75–$100 per plant, installed | Larger trees are quoted separately |
| Retaining wall (segmental block) | About $30–$60 per sq ft of wall face; a 40-ft, 3-ft-tall wall ≈ $3,600–$6,600 | Retaining wall cost guide |
| Steps | About $400–$900 per step | Paver walkway cost guide |
| Drainage | About $1,500 for a simple downspout line or dry well, up to $5,000+ for a full French drain system or regrading | Yard drainage |
| Restricted access (no machine access) | Typically adds 15–30% to labor, roughly $1,000–$3,000 on a mid-size job | Paver patio cost guide |
| Landscape lighting | Quoted per project after a site visit | Low-voltage, added in any phase |
| Demolition and removal (old concrete, overgrowth) | Quoted per project after a site visit | Depends on what has to come out |
| Design | Spelled out in your written estimate | We make it clear before any work starts |
What drives cost in a city yard
Access. This is the biggest swing factor in Somerville, Cambridge and Boston. If a machine can't get into the yard, every ton of stone and every pallet of pavers moves by wheelbarrow and by hand. Restricted access typically adds 15–30% to the labor, roughly $1,000–$3,000 on a mid-size job.
Demolition. Old concrete, broken pavers, stumps and years of overgrowth all have to come out before anything new goes in. In a small yard with tight access, removal can be a real share of the budget.
Drainage. Many city yards hold water, especially on clay soil. Fixing drainage while the yard is open is far cheaper than fixing it after. It's also what keeps a new patio flat.
Grade and walls. A sloped yard often needs a retaining wall or steps to create level, usable space. Walls are priced by the square foot of face, so height matters as much as length.
Materials. Concrete pavers at about $38 per square foot are the most economical choice for a lasting patio. Bluestone runs about $50 and gives a classic, natural look. Material choice is one of the easiest levers on the total.
Planting, privacy and lighting. These are what make a yard feel finished. At $75–$100 per installed plant, a well-chosen planting plan is often a smaller share of the budget than people expect. Planting and lighting can also be added in a later phase.
Trees and permits. In Cambridge, removing or damaging a protected tree can carry real mitigation costs. See Cambridge's tree rules. Some walls and some historic-district work need permits or review, which we handle as part of the job.
Worked examples
These examples show how the numbers add up. They are not quotes. Each one leaves out access, demolition, lighting and design unless stated, and any of those can change the total. Every yard is priced after a free design visit.
- A small patio with planting: a 150 sq ft paver patio (about $5,700) plus 10 shrubs and perennials (about $750–$1,000) comes to roughly $6,450–$6,700.
- A fuller small-yard refresh: a 300 sq ft paver patio (about $11,400), 20 plants (about $1,500–$2,000) and a simple drainage fix such as a downspout line or dry well (about $1,500) comes to roughly $14,400–$14,900. If materials have to be carried in by hand, add roughly $1,000–$3,000.
- A layered yard with a wall: a 200 sq ft bluestone patio (about $10,000), a 200 sq ft turf area for kids or a dog (about $3,000–$4,000), 15 plants (about $1,125–$1,500) and a 40-ft, 3-ft-tall block retaining wall (about $3,600–$6,600) comes to roughly $18,000–$22,000.
Sample project tiers
These tiers help you picture scope; they are not price quotes. Every project is priced after a free design visit.
1. Refresh. Clean up and replant beds, add a small seating pad or reset an existing patio, plus a few lights. Good when the bones of the yard are fine but it doesn't feel usable.
2. Small makeover. A new patio of around 150–300 sq ft, edging and planting around it, and basic drainage. See the first two worked examples above.
3. Full small-yard design-build. A whole-yard plan: patio, walls or steps, drainage, privacy planting and lighting, designed and built as one. See the third worked example above, plus lighting and design.
How to phase a project on a budget
You don't have to build everything at once. Many of our clients don't.
- Design the whole yard first. A master plan means each phase fits the next, so nothing gets torn out later.
- Do the ground work first. Drainage, grading and any walls belong in phase one. They're the hardest and costliest to add later.
- Build the main living space. Put the patio where you'll use it most.
- Add planting, privacy and lighting next. These can come a season or two later and still look intentional.
- Let it grow in. Plants fill in over time, and so can the budget.
Tell us your budget at the first visit, and we'll design a plan that respects it.
Ways to keep costs reasonable
- Choose concrete pavers for large areas, and use bluestone as an accent.
- Keep the shape simple. Curves and complex patterns add labor.
- Reuse what works: good existing stone, healthy shrubs, or a sound fence.
- Plan drainage from the start rather than as a repair later.
- Don't chase the lowest bid. If one quote is far below the others, something is usually missing, often the base or the drainage.
Plan your yard with us
Small courtyard or full backyard, we'd be glad to help you figure out what's possible for your budget. Every project starts with a free design visit and a written estimate.
Get an Instant Estimate Book a Free Site Visit 📞 (781) 859-5304Common questions
How much does a small backyard makeover cost in Boston?
It depends on scope, access and what's underneath. As a reference, our paver patios run about $38 per square foot installed, so a 12×12 patio is about $5,500, and installed plants run $75–$100 each. The worked examples above show how a few common projects add up. Every yard is quoted after a free design visit.
Is design included, or is it a separate fee?
We make it clear before any work starts. How design is handled is spelled out in your written estimate, with no surprises.
Why does a city yard cost more than a suburban one of the same size?
Mostly access and removal. When materials have to be carried in by hand, labor goes up. Restricted access typically adds 15–30% to labor.
Can we do the project in phases?
Yes. We design the whole yard up front, then split it into phases you can build one at a time. Each phase stands on its own.
Do you take on smaller projects?
Yes. A small refresh gets the same care as a full yard.
How do I get an exact price?
Book a free design visit. We'll walk the yard, check access and drainage, and give you a written estimate. With so many variables in a city yard, that visit is the only way to get a real number.