paver patio and boulder wall prep underway in wayzata

Sometimes the most important part of a job is the work that happens before a single paver gets laid. That's exactly where we are on this backyard project in wayzata - deep in the prep phase, handling the heavy lifting so the finishing contractor can come in and do their thing on a solid, properly graded foundation.

We were brought in to handle site prep for a new paver patio and sidewalk, along with a boulder retaining wall and steps. The backyard had an elevation change that needed to be addressed the right way. A boulder retaining wall isn't just a design choice - it's a structural solution. When you're dealing with grade issues in a backyard like this, natural boulders give you a wall that can handle real pressure while looking like it belongs there.

Here's what that process actually looks like on the ground. Strip the sod, excavate to the right depth, get the base material in and graded, then start setting boulders. You can see the wall taking shape with the boulders staged and set along the front edge of the patio footprint, with steps being laid out at the entry point. The mini excavator and skid steer working in tandem let us move material efficiently without tearing up the surrounding lawn any more than necessary.

Getting the prep work right is everything on a project like this. A paver patio is only as good as what's underneath it. If the base isn't excavated properly, graded correctly, and compacted solid, you're going to see settling, shifting, and drainage problems down the road. We take that part seriously - because it's the part nobody sees once the pavers go down, but it's the part that determines how long everything lasts.

More updates coming as this one progresses. Stay tuned to see how the finished patio, sidewalk, and boulder wall come together.