Short answer: we're a design-build landscaper who's been working Somerville's tight city yards for 37 years — patios and hardscape, yard drainage, permeable and Green Score paving, retaining walls, and planting. Small two-family and triple-decker yards with no truck access are our specialty, not a problem. Every project starts with a free on-site visit and a written estimate.
Somerville is its own animal — some of the smallest, tightest yards in the region, heavy clay that holds water, and a Green Score to think about if your project triggers it. After 37 years building here, we know the drill: no driveway, street parking, carry everything down a narrow side yard. Normal day for us.
What we do in Somerville
- Patios & hardscape — paver, bluestone, and brick patios, walkways, and steps built to survive New England winters. See our Somerville patio work →
- Yard drainage & water management — French drains, catch basins, dry wells, and regrading, from an NDS Certified drainage contractor. Somerville's clay soil makes this a big one.
- Permeable & Green Score paving — permeable driveways and walkways that keep stormwater on site and earn Green Score credit.
- Small-yard & courtyard design — turning a cramped space behind a two-family into a private outdoor room.
- Retaining walls & masonry — solving grade and creating usable, level space.
- Planting, edging & lighting — native plantings, clean bed edges, and low-voltage lighting that make the space work day and night.
Why Somerville yards need a specialist
Most of the mistakes we get called in to fix here come from crews who treated a Somerville yard like a suburban one. Tight access means the base and materials have to be hand-moved and planned right. Clay soil and flat lots mean water has nowhere to go unless you engineer it. And a good chunk of the borough's projects touch the Green Score. We build for all three from the start — that's why our work lasts and passes.
From a Somerville customer
“Allan was amazing to work with! We designed our backyard space with him to create a mini oasis with lots of plants and good lighting. He has experience with Somerville and knows the area very well, which makes it even more seamless. He visited multiple times in advance to make sure he understood our vision.” — Nitasha & Tejas, Somerville
How it works
- Free on-site visit. We walk your yard, talk through how you want to use it, and check access, grade, and drainage.
- Design & written estimate. A clear plan and a straight number in writing — no vague ballparks.
- We build it clean. Base, drainage, and hardscape done right, your property treated like our own.
- You enjoy it. A small Somerville yard, done right, becomes the best room in the house.
Somerville yard you want to talk through?
Give us a call or send a couple of photos. We'll come take a look and put a free, detailed written estimate in your hands — no pressure.
Get a Free Quote 📞 (781) 859-5304Somerville landscaping FAQs
Do you do full landscaping in Somerville or just patios?
Both. We're a design-build landscaper — patios and hardscape, drainage, permeable/Green Score paving, retaining walls, planting, and lighting. Hardscape is our specialty, but we handle the whole yard.
Can you work in a tight Somerville yard with no truck access?
Yes — that's most of what we do here. Two-family and triple-decker back yards, narrow side paths, no gate for a machine. We move materials by hand or compact equipment where other crews won't go.
Do you handle Somerville's Green Score and permeable paving?
Yes. Permeable paver driveways, walkways, and patios that keep stormwater on site and earn Green Score credit — and we can help with the calculation for your project.
Do you fix drainage and standing water in Somerville yards?
Yes — Allan is an NDS Certified Professional Drainage Contractor. Somerville's tight lots and clay soil make wet yards common; we solve them with French drains, catch basins, dry wells, and regrading.
How much does landscaping cost in Somerville?
Depends on scope. As a reference, a standard paver patio runs about $38 per square foot installed. Every project starts with a free on-site visit and a detailed written estimate.