Natural granite steps and paver walkway connecting home to pool deck — Lake Elmo MN — Heritage Outdoors
Paver walkway · granite steps · Lake Elmo, MN

They Had a Contractor for the Pool Deck.
They Didn't Want Them Back.

Lake Elmo, MN
Spring 2025
Paver walkway · 9 natural granite steps
Pool project add-on · east metro referral
Project overview

A frustrating experience
with the first contractor.

Dan and his wife had their pool deck installed by another contractor. The experience was frustrating enough that when it came time to add the paver walkway from the back door and granite steps up to the pool level, they weren't calling that contractor back. They found Heritage Outdoors — and after the job was done, Dan said he wished he'd called us from the beginning.

Heritage Outdoors built the paver walkway connecting the home's back door to the pool area, and installed nine natural granite steps to handle the grade change up to the pool deck. The existing Unilock Beacon Hill pool deck with its Holland Premier Dark Charcoal border set the design direction — our job was to match it and tie everything together seamlessly.

That's a situation we see more than people expect. A project starts with one contractor, something goes sideways, and the homeowner needs someone they can trust to finish it right. That's exactly what Heritage is here for.

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CustomerDan · Lake Elmo, MN
LocationLake Elmo, MN
CompletedSpring 2025
ScopePaver walkway · 9 granite steps
Walkway paverUnilock Beacon Hill
BorderUnilock Holland Premier Dark Charcoal
StepsNatural granite · 9 steps
Walkway price range$35–$50+/sqft · $5,000 minimum
Step price range$250–$500/step
Lead installerJacob · Heritage Outdoors
During

Building the base.
Course by course.

The install unfolded in stages — pool deck field pavers going down first, then the walkway from the back door, then the granite steps locking everything together. You can see the raw scale of the site in these shots: excavation fresh, gravel base prepped, and the paver field growing toward the pool.

Unilock Beacon Hill pool deck walkway install in progress — Lake Elmo MN — Heritage Outdoors crew
Unilock Beacon Hill pool deck field laid during installation — Lake Elmo MN — Heritage Outdoors
Paver walkway and pool deck under construction viewed from pergola — Lake Elmo MN — Heritage Outdoors
Paver walkway installation at back door of home — Lake Elmo MN — Heritage Outdoors during photo
The work

Three elements.
One cohesive backyard.

01
Unilock Beacon Hill pool deck
Large-format Beacon Hill pavers in a cool gray tone give the pool deck a clean, contemporary look with fewer joints than standard pavers. The Holland Premier Dark Charcoal border frames the field and defines the edge of the deck — a detail that makes the whole space feel intentional and finished.
02
Paver walkway from the back door
The walkway connects the home's back door directly to the pool area — no more stepping through gravel or grass to get there. Matching Beacon Hill pavers with the same Dark Charcoal border tie it visually to the pool deck, so everything reads as one unified hardscape rather than separate pieces.
03
Nine granite steps up to the pool
Nine natural granite steps handle the grade change from the walkway up to the pool deck. These aren't pieces you move by hand — each one required equipment to place. Granite doesn't move, doesn't absorb water, and never needs to be replaced. The kind of material choice that makes a project feel truly finished.

"That's a situation we see more than people think — someone gets burned halfway through a project and needs someone they can actually trust to finish it. We came in, matched what was there, and made the whole thing work together. Dan said he wished he'd called us from the beginning."

— Jacob Bluhm · Lead Installer · Heritage Outdoors
The result

A backyard that finally
feels connected.

The finished walkway and granite steps tie the house to the pool in a way that feels intentional — matching the existing Beacon Hill deck seamlessly so the whole space reads as one cohesive design.

Completed Unilock Beacon Hill pool deck with dark charcoal border — Lake Elmo MN — Heritage Outdoors
Finished paver walkway at back door with Holland Premier Dark Charcoal border — Lake Elmo MN — Heritage Outdoors
Natural granite steps leading up to paver pool deck — Lake Elmo MN — Heritage Outdoors
Granite steps and paver walkway connecting back door to pool deck — Lake Elmo MN — Heritage Outdoors
What was built

Walkway. Steps.
Done right this time.

Matching paver walkway
Unilock Beacon Hill pavers with a Holland Premier Dark Charcoal border — the same material language as the existing pool deck. The walkway runs from the back door to the pool area so the house and backyard finally feel connected, with a design that reads as one intentional project rather than two.
Nine natural granite steps
Nine heavy granite steps handle the grade change up to the pool deck level. Each piece required equipment to place. Natural granite doesn't absorb water, doesn't shift under freeze-thaw pressure, and doesn't need maintenance. These steps will outlast everything else on the property.
A contractor they'd call again
Dan said he wished he'd called Heritage Outdoors from the beginning. That's the goal — not just to finish the job, but to be the kind of contractor homeowners want back. If you're mid-project and need someone you can trust to see it through, give us a call.
Common questions

Paver walkways & granite steps in Lake Elmo —
what people ask us

How much does a paver walkway cost in Minnesota?

Paver walkways in the Twin Cities typically run $35–$50+ per square foot installed depending on paver selection, width, and site complexity. Heritage Outdoors has a $5,000 project minimum. Call 651-219-3668 for a free estimate.

Can Heritage Outdoors finish or add on to a project started by another contractor?

Yes — this is more common than people think. Homeowners sometimes find themselves mid-project with a contractor they don't want to bring back. Heritage Outdoors can assess what's been done, match existing materials, and complete the work to a standard you're actually happy with. Call 651-219-3668 to talk through your situation.

What is Unilock Beacon Hill?

Unilock Beacon Hill is a large-format concrete paver known for its clean, contemporary look and smooth surface texture. It's a popular choice for pool decks and large patio areas because its generous size means fewer joints, a more seamless appearance, and a surface that's comfortable underfoot. It pairs well with darker border pavers for a sharp, finished edge.

How much do granite steps cost in Minnesota?

Natural stone steps in the Twin Cities typically run $250–$500 per step installed depending on stone type, size, and site access. Granite is one of the heaviest and most durable natural stone options — pieces often require equipment to place. Heritage Outdoors has a $5,000 project minimum. Call 651-219-3668 for a free on-site estimate.

Does Heritage Outdoors serve Lake Elmo and the east metro?

Yes — Lake Elmo is right in Heritage Outdoors' core service area. We serve Lake Elmo, Woodbury, Stillwater, Oakdale, Saint Paul, and the full east metro. Call 651-219-3668 or visit heritageoutdoorsmn.com for a free estimate.

Mid-project with a contractor
you don't want to call back?

We hear it more than you'd think. Jacob will come out, look at what's been done, and give you an honest answer on what it would take to finish it right — whether that's a walkway, steps, or something else entirely.