Landscaping and Hardscaping in Oakville

Grading. Clay till under most Oakville yards will not absorb it, so whatever the grade does, the water does. A lot that has settled toward the foundation, a patio laid flat or a neighbour's regrade can all send it the wrong way. We regrade, extend the downspouts and add a drain where the grade cannot do it alone. Read about yard drainage.

No. Oakville's grading guidance says downspouts and other pipes should not run to the property line or onto a neighbour's lot; they should let go onto a splash pad or a hard surface that sends water away from the house. Where the yard cannot carry it, a drain to a proper outlet is the fix. Read about yard drainage.

It should. Oakville's drainage guidance notes that posts set in the middle of a swale and boards run down to the ground both slow the water, and it suggests clearing the spoil from the post holes and keeping the boards at least an inch off the ground. We build that way so the swale keeps working. See fences and gates.

Yes. Designs are available on request: we help with the layout and the plant choices, and the plants are billed at cost. Our guide to the landscape design process in Oakville explains how we go from a first visit to a plan and a written quote.

No. One written price for the work, no travel charge for Oakville. Distance can affect scheduling, and we tell you that when we quote.

A 1-year craftsmanship warranty, the same as every job we do. It covers our workmanship for a full year after the job is finished, and we are fully insured on site. It is stated on your written quote too.

You hear it from us early. We try to give a heads-up on any delays and let you know when we are coming, with as much notice as possible. Oakville jobs often wait on approvals as well as the weather, so we keep you posted on both.

Two metres of solid fence in the rear and side yards. At the front, 1.5 metres, as long as anything above one metre is open lattice, and no more than 0.91 metres inside a visibility triangle. That is Oakville's by-law, and we build to it. See fences and gates.

No. Oakville's drainage guidance says retaining walls, tie-backs included, must stay on the owner's property and at least 0.3 metres, about a foot, from the property line to leave room for drainage, and grading along a shared line has to meet the existing grade there. Every wall also needs a drain behind it, which is how we build them. Read about retaining walls.

Only with a permit if its stems are 15 centimetres or more across, because Oakville's Private Tree Protection By-law 2017-038 counts hedges. Often we can keep the hedge and fit the patio in front of it. We tell you the options at the quote. Read about overgrown shrubs and hedges.

Usually, with Conservation Halton's permission for work near the valley edge and the Town's site alteration permit for the grade change. We check the map, write the approvals into the plan and build the time into the schedule, so the terrace is planned around what will be approved rather than changed later.

It can. The Town says a property on its heritage register may need heritage approval for a landscaping or deck project, and its heritage planners confirm what applies to your property. We find out before the plan is settled, so it suits what will be approved.

Yes. Oakville needs a driveway permit, issued as a Development Engineering Permit, to alter an existing driveway, add an entrance from a town road, create a circular drive or build curbs on the road allowance, and the driveway has to fit the zoning by-law. Trees on your lot, your neighbour's or the boulevard may need protecting during the work.

Any deck attached to the house, and a freestanding one that is both larger than 10 square metres and higher than 61 centimetres. If the lot backs onto green space, a river bed or a wetland and the work involves digging, the Town also asks for Conservation Halton's approval. See decks and fences.

It can. Oakville's Site Alteration By-law 2023-047 treats creating a hard surface, compacting soil or changing the grade as site alteration that needs a Development Engineering Permit, and the Town lists landscaping and retaining walls among the private projects that use one. We confirm at the quote whether yours does and build the permit time into the schedule.

It depends on the project. A grade change or fill needs a Development Engineering Permit under Site Alteration By-law 2023-047. Removing a tree 15 centimetres or more across needs a tree permit. A ravine or creek lot may need Conservation Halton's permission first. A taller retaining wall needs a building permit and an engineer. We sort out which apply before we quote.