You don't need a vacation. You just need a better backyard.
Most yards in Somerville, Cambridge, Medford and Boston are small, oddly shaped and hard to reach. That is the work American Elm Landscape does every week: patios, plantings, walls and turf that turn a city lot into a room you use every day. Here is what our customers said in their own Google reviews about why they hired Allan Spires and his crew.
★★★★★ 4.7 stars from 63 Google reviews · Unilock Authorized Contractor · NDS Certified Professional Drainage Contractor · Medford-based since 1989
1Small city yards are the specialty, not an afterthought
Brownstone gardens, triple-decker yards, narrow side yards, spaces with no truck access. We plan every square foot because there aren't many to spare, and we move materials in by hand or with small equipment when we have to.
“He’s always creative with our “city yard” and has helped us to optimize the green space around our property.”— Jenna Sirkin, Cambridge
“Because it was an urban garden, it was very important to us that the area be blocked off from any animals that might have entered in the past. He succeeded in fixing the problem permanently.”— S Quint, Back Bay, Boston
Watch: a flat Melrose lawn turned into a patio, paths and stone wall, August to October 2026.
2The design starts with how you want to live outside
Allan walks the yard with you, asks how you want to use it, and talks through materials and layout before anything is drawn. Some clients walk a local nursery with him to pick plants together. You don't need to arrive with a plan.
“He is full of ideas, but is totally open to you, the customer.”— Beth Rosenberg
“He visited multiple times too in advance to make sure he understood our vision.”— Nitasha and Tejas, Somerville
3It's built for New England winters, from the base up
Patios are set on a deep, compacted base with drainage and pitch that move water away from the house. That's what keeps pavers from heaving, sinking or pooling after a storm. Allan is an NDS Certified Professional Drainage Contractor, trained in the drainage work that keeps patios, walls and yards from heaving, cracking and flooding.
“They removed a significant amount of soil in front of the wall in order to level the yard (the house is on a hill).”— J Heaton
4The work is backed in writing
American Elm is a Unilock Authorized Contractor, approved to install Unilock pavers and retaining walls, and Unilock backs that work with a two-year workmanship guarantee. And when something isn't right, Allan comes back and fixes it.
“Allan offered and fixed the seating area by removing the pebble and installing a polymeric sand which fixed the problem. It was at no additional charge.”— Michelle Pizzillo
A Unilock patio with a charcoal border and a weeping cherry, October 2026.
5Plants chosen by someone who knows plants
The stonework is half the job. Allan picks native and pollinator-friendly shrubs, perennials and trees that do well in New England, sets them in organic compost and soil, and gives straight advice on when and how to prune.
“What I appreciate most about Allan and his team is he has a lot of knowledge about plants, trees and horticulture in general.”— Michelle Pizzillo
“He also has an extensive understanding of plants and trees that other landscapers lacked.”— L Byron
6Prices are published, and every estimate is written
Pavers run about $38 per square foot installed (permeable pavers too). Bluestone is about $50 per square foot. Synthetic turf is $15 to $20 per square foot. Plants are $75 to $100 each, installed. Every project starts with a free on-site visit and a written estimate, so you know what you're paying for. Want a ballpark now? Try the instant patio and turf estimator.
“Pricing is fair and transparent.”— Antoinette Matthews
“Their prices are fair and their work is flawless.”— Nicholas Kingman
7The owner is on site, and the crew respects your home
Allan runs the jobs himself. Most paver patios are installed in 3 to 7 days. The crew keeps the site neat and works around your comings and goings.
“I appreciate that’s he’s always present to oversee their work.”— Jenna Sirkin, Cambridge
“Allan was responsive, showed up when he said they would and his crew was respectful and neat around our property.”— Jim M
What homeowners say: 4.7 stars from 63 Google reviews
“Allan was amazing to work with!”— Nitasha and Tejas, Somerville
“In short, I interviewed 6 landscapers and got quotes. Alan had an extremely reasonable price and had the most experience.”— L Byron
“American Elm Landscape created an amazing patio for our back yard in Medford.”— Cyndie Femino, Medford
“We have gotten lots of compliments on the results and really enjoy our flowering shrubs, new patio, and lawn.”— Rosemary Kanasty, Somerville (Porter Square)
“a little backyard oasis in the middle of the city that’s a perfect space to relax with enough space for kids and dogs to run around and play.”— Shayna Ferrazzani
“His team did a complete rework of our yard in 2.5 days and it looks absolutely beautiful.”— Lauren Padovan
“If you want someone trustworthy who does beautiful work without charging like they’re landscaping a five-star hotel, these are your people.”— Antoinette Matthews
“Working with Allan and his team was for sure the least stressful experience I have ever had with contractors/landscapers.”— Lynne Curran
Quotes are copied word for word from public Google reviews. Read all our reviews on Google →
Start with a free design consult
Allan will walk your yard with you, hear how you want to use it, and talk through layout, materials and budget. You get a written estimate with a design plan, with no vague numbers. Small and medium yards are welcome.
Or call (781) 859-5304. We reply within 24 hours.
Common questions
What does a backyard project cost?
Installed prices: pavers about $38 per square foot (permeable pavers too), bluestone about $50 per square foot, synthetic turf $15 to $20 per square foot, and plants $75 to $100 each. For example, a 12×12 patio (144 sq ft) is about $5,500 in pavers or about $7,200 in bluestone. Access, grade and drainage can move the number. Every job gets a free written estimate.
How long does it take?
Most paver patios take 3 to 7 days to install, depending on size and scope. Smaller planting and refresh projects can be quicker. We build from spring through fall, and in most seasons when the ground isn't frozen solid. Booking in late fall often means a faster start and a yard ready by spring.
Do I need a permit?
Usually not for a ground-level patio in Massachusetts. Retaining walls 4 feet or taller, covered structures, and work in historic districts can need one. We handle the paperwork when a permit is needed.
Bluestone or pavers: which should I choose?
Both hold up to Boston's freeze-thaw winters when they are built on a proper base. Pavers (about $38 per sq ft) cost less, come in many colors and sizes, and are available in permeable versions that let water drain through; Unilock pavers carry Unilock's two-year workmanship guarantee. Bluestone (about $50 per sq ft) is natural stone with a classic look that suits older Boston homes. We talk through both for your yard during the consult.
Do you take on small yards?
Yes. Small and hard-to-reach city yards are our specialty. A small yard done well becomes the best room in the house.