Hardscape Services — Twin Cities & East Metro MN | Heritage Outdoors
What we build

Your yard has more potential
than you think it does

We've transformed hundreds of Twin Cities yards — sloped lots, crumbling concrete, bare grass, eroding hillsides. Every service below comes with honest pricing, real project photos, and straight talk on what makes the difference between a job that lasts and one that doesn't.

32+
Five-star reviews
2023
Founded — not learning on your yard
100%
Owner on every project
Custom paver patio installation in the Twin Cities by Heritage Outdoors
Paver patio · Twin Cities MN See all projects →
01

Paver patios

The outdoor room your house is missing. A well-built paver patio adds usable square footage, survives Minnesota winters, and holds up to decades of freeze-thaw cycles without cracking or crumbling.

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Why it matters
Your backyard should actually be used
Most backyards in the Twin Cities are underused because there's nowhere comfortable to be. A paver patio fixes that. It becomes the place you have coffee in the morning, the place your kids play, the place guests end up at the end of every dinner party. The best outdoor investments are the ones you use every single day.
Honest guide
What it costs & what makes it last
Paver patios in the Twin Cities typically run $25–$35 per square foot installed, depending on paver brand, pattern complexity, and base preparation requirements. The base is everything — proper compacted aggregate prevents settling, heaving, and weed intrusion. Cheap installs skip the base. That's what fails in year two. Ask any contractor what they're putting under the pavers before you sign.
Who needs this
No outdoor space, slab that's cracked, or yard that slopes away
If you have a back door that opens onto grass or a crumbling concrete slab, a paver patio is the single highest-return hardscape investment you can make. Pavers flex with Minnesota's freeze-thaw cycle — concrete doesn't. A single cracked slab can't be partially replaced. Individual pavers can. That's not a small difference over 20 years.
I can't stop staring out my living room windows to admire our backyard. By far the best landscaping company we've worked with — punctual, professional, and meticulous. The transformation was stunning.
Gabe M.
Google Review · Twin Cities
Natural boulder retaining wall installed in Woodbury MN by Heritage Outdoors
Boulder wall · Woodbury MN See all projects →
02

Boulder walls

Our favorite thing to build. Natural stone placed with purpose — holds your grade, looks like it's always been there, and will outlast everything else on the property.

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Why it matters
We prefer boulder walls 8 times out of 10
We buy boulders direct — which means natural stone is often more cost-competitive than people expect. But the real reason we push boulder walls is simpler: they're better. They age beautifully, require almost no maintenance, fit the Minnesota landscape, and carry a permanence that manufactured block never will. When the setting allows it, boulders win.
Honest guide
What it costs & what makes it last
Because we buy direct, boulder walls are often comparable in cost to block walls — typically $55–$80 per linear foot depending on height, boulder size, and site access. They don't require drain tile in most applications. Placement is everything — each boulder is read for shape and weight before it's set. A poorly placed boulder shifts. A well-placed one doesn't move for decades.
Who needs this
Sloped yards, eroding hillsides, or any property that needs character
If your yard has a grade change of any kind — especially on wooded, rural, or lakeside properties — a boulder wall is almost always the right answer. It holds the slope, expands usable space, and adds genuine visual presence. On acreage or East Metro properties, nothing fits the landscape better. If you're not sure whether you need a boulder wall or block wall, we'll tell you honestly.
From the very first call, Haven asked thoughtful questions — not just about budget and vision, but about what we actually wanted from the yard and how it would fit our lifestyle. The only regret I have is that we didn't just start with Heritage.
Meghan P.
Google Review · Twin Cities
Unilock paver driveway installation in Plymouth MN by Heritage Outdoors
Paver driveway · Plymouth MN See all projects →
03

Paver driveways

The first thing anyone sees. A paver driveway makes a statement that asphalt and concrete simply can't — and holds up to Minnesota winters better than either of them.

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Why it matters
Curb appeal starts at the street
Asphalt needs resealing every few years and cracks. Concrete cracks and can't be partially replaced. Pavers flex with freeze-thaw cycles, individual units can be replaced if needed, and they look exceptional for decades with minimal maintenance. For high-end new construction or a home you plan to stay in, a paver driveway is the only option worth considering.
Honest guide
What it costs & what makes it last
Paver driveways run $20–$40 per square foot installed depending on paver selection and base depth requirements. Driveways require a deeper aggregate base than patios — typically 8–12 inches compacted — to handle vehicle load. The base is the biggest cost driver. Brands like Unilock and Rochester Concrete Products offer products specifically engineered for driveway applications. We'll spec the right product for your load and aesthetic.
Who needs this
New construction, crumbling concrete, or a home that deserves better
Paver driveways make the most sense on new construction (where you're starting from scratch), on homes with existing concrete that's cracking or heaving, or on properties where the exterior deserves a cohesive, high-end look from the street. They're an investment — but one that pays back in curb appeal, property value, and longevity.
They proactively worked with the city to make sure everything was fully compliant — something we hadn't even asked them to do. This level of care and integrity built trust with us and speaks volumes to the type of people they are.
Jamie B.
Google Review · Twin Cities
Versa-Lok block retaining wall installation in North Oaks MN by Heritage Outdoors
Retaining wall · North Oaks MN See all projects →
04

Retaining walls

When you need structure, precision, and engineered holding power — block retaining walls are built for the job. Done right, they hold for decades. Done wrong, they fail in five years.

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Why it matters
A failing wall gets worse fast
A retaining wall that's starting to lean or bow isn't a cosmetic problem — it's a structural one. Once the base is compromised, failure accelerates. The longer you wait, the more excavation, drainage correction, and material is required to fix it. Early diagnosis and proper installation saves significant money over a wall that gets patched and fails again.
Honest guide
What it costs & what makes it last
Block retaining walls run $55–$70 per square foot installed in the Twin Cities. The non-negotiables: proper drainage behind the wall (drain tile + 3/4" clear backfill, not dirt), geo grid reinforcement on taller walls, and correct engineering for any load above the wall. Skip any of these and you're building a wall that will fail. We've seen — and fixed — every version of this mistake.
Who needs this
Failing wall, parking pad above a slope, or grade that needs taming
If you have a wall that's leaning, crumbling, or has had water issues behind it — it needs to come out and be rebuilt properly, not patched. Block walls are also the right call for taller applications, urban lots, and anywhere that needs a clean manufactured finish. For more natural settings, we'll often recommend boulders instead.
If you are looking to hire a local mom and pop shop to do any outdoor projects, please give them a chance. The attention to detail you will get will be outstanding.
Scott G.
Google Review · Twin Cities
Paver walkway and stoop installation in Burnsville MN by Heritage Outdoors
Paver walkway & stoop · Burnsville MN See all projects →
05

Paver walkways & stoops

The path from the street to your door sets the tone for everything else. A well-designed walkway guides, welcomes, and finishes the front of your home in a way nothing else does.

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Why it matters
First impressions are set before anyone knocks
The path from the street to your front door is the first thing guests experience — and the thing most homeowners look at every single day. A crumbling concrete walkway or uneven stoop drags down the whole exterior. A well-laid paver walkway pulls everything together. It's one of the highest-visibility, most-used hardscape elements on any property.
Honest guide
What it costs & what to think about
Paver walkways are treated the same as paver patios when it comes to base preparation — same process, same standards — and typically run $25–$35 per square foot installed. The design question that matters most is curves vs. straight lines — curves look more natural but require more cuts, which adds time and affects the overall cost of the project. Stoops don't need to go below frost line, but they do require a proper aggregate base — minimum 8–10 inches compacted, more depending on the size of the stoop. We'll talk through pattern, border treatment, and material options during your estimate.
Who needs this
Crumbling concrete, no defined path, or a front entry that needs a refresh
If your front walkway is cracked, uneven, or simply doesn't exist — this is a high-value, relatively approachable project that transforms curb appeal immediately. Stoops that were poured without proper footings heave every winter. Block stoops with proper base hold their position through Minnesota's freeze-thaw cycle indefinitely.
Natural stone steps installation in Mahtomedi MN by Heritage Outdoors
Natural stone steps · Mahtomedi MN See all projects →
06

Natural stone steps

Turn a grade change into something worth looking at. Natural stone steps are functional, beautiful, and — when placed correctly — feel like they've been there forever.

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Why it matters
A hill becomes a feature, not an obstacle
If you have a grade change anywhere on your property — front to back, yard to garden, patio to lawn — natural stone steps make that transition into something you're proud of instead of something you navigate around. They bring a weight and permanence that no other material matches. Done well, they look like the land produced them.
Honest guide
What it costs & the one thing that matters most
Natural stone steps typically run $250–$500 per step installed depending on stone size, site conditions, and whether a landing is required. The single most important detail: the first step height. It sets the rhythm for every step above it. Rush it and nothing ever sits right. We take as long as we need to get the first placement correct before anything else goes down.
Who needs this
Any property with a grade change and no good way to navigate it
Natural stone steps are ideal for wooded and rural properties, side yards, garden access, or anywhere a manufactured material would look out of place. They're a summertime-route solution — not ideal for heavy snow shoveling, which we'll always be upfront about. For the right application, there's nothing better.
Also available

Beyond hardscape

Sod installation & grading
Lawn grading & sod
Full backyard regrading, drainage correction, and sod installation — including CMP Hydra Bucket excavation for large-scale base preparation. We've laid 5,000+ sq ft in a single day. If your yard needs a reset, we can make it happen fast and done right.
Landscape design
Landscape design & install
Garden bed design, natural stone outcroppings, edging, and planting. We've designed front yards from scratch — limestone outcroppings, Fond du Lac edging, mixed perennials — and delivered results homeowners brag about to their neighbors. Design & build process coming soon.

* We're building out a formal design & build process and will have more details soon. Reach out directly if you have a project in mind.

Not sure what your property needs?

Tell us what's going on — we'll come out, take a look, and give you an honest recommendation. No pressure, no upsell.