Premier Landscaper in Urbandale, IA
Andy’s Landscape & Hardscape Services builds outdoor living spaces, installs stone hardscapes, builds retaining walls, and handles yard maintenance across Central Iowa. From older properties near Walker Johnston Park to new builds on the west side of town, we know how to handle the heavy clay soil and rough winters around here. Give us a call or send an email to get a consultation on the calendar.
About Us
Built for Central Iowa’s Clay and Cold
Creating a resilient landscape in Central Iowa requires far more than aesthetic planning. Local properties contend with dense clay soil that traps moisture, sub-zero winter freezes, and volatile spring freeze-thaw cycles. Without specialized construction techniques, these environmental shifts quickly destroy outdoor installations.
If a paver patio lacks a properly compacted gravel base, frost heave will shift and displace stones within just two winters. Similarly, a retaining wall built without adequate drainage will bow and fail under the immense pressure of waterlogged soil.
We engineer every hardscape project specifically to withstand Iowa’s demanding climate. By prioritizing deep foundations, proper soil management, and robust drainage systems, we protect your outdoor investment against seasonal ground movement. Our durable builds ensure your landscape stays level, secure, and beautiful for decades to come.
WHAT WE DO
What We Do Around the Yard
Here is a breakdown of what we handle for residential and commercial properties.
Landscaping
Our landscaping services enhance the natural beauty of your property while supporting healthy growth and proper drainage. We focus on plant selection, layout, and spacing that complement Urbandale homes and seasonal conditions.
Hardscaping
Adding a paver area or a stone wall gives your yard structure and gives you a clean place to hang out outside. We handle structural builds using natural stone and heavy-duty concrete pavers. Everything gets anchored on thick stone bases designed to handle winter ground movement.
Retaining Wall
Sloped yards are tough to mow and hard to use. We build engineered block and natural stone retaining walls that hold back heavy wet soil and carve out flat, usable lawn space. Every wall gets backfilled with clean gravel and fitted with perforated drain lines so water pressure doesn’t push against the stone.
Paver Installation
Paver installation provides durable and attractive surfaces for patios, walkways, and gathering areas. We carefully prepare the base to ensure long lasting stability and consistent appearance.
Patio Installation
A good patio acts like an extra room on the house. Whether you want a simple spot for a grill and a couple of chairs or a larger setup for hosting weekend crowds, we lay them out around how you live. We build in room for seating walls, dining tables, or shade covers without crowding the lawn.
Landscape Design
Landscape design ties every element together. We plan layouts that support plant health, seasonal interest, and functional outdoor living spaces tailored to your property.
Stone Walkways
Replacing cracked concrete driveways or worn-out front entries with pavers adds instant curb appeal. The secret to pavers isn’t the stone on top—it’s the excavation underneath. We dig down past the soft topsoil, lay crushed rock in compacted layers, and sweep polymeric sand into the joints so weeds stay out and stones stay put.
Firepit Installation
October nights around here get cold fast, but a stone fire pit keeps you outside longer into the fall. We build custom wood-burning pits and gas line units using heat-rated stone and masonry backings that won’t flake or crack when the fire gets hot.
Andys Landscape & Hardscape Services
How We Work
Working with a contractor shouldn’t feel like a gamble. A few reasons local property owners stick with us:
- Local Soil Experience: We know what grows in Central Iowa clay and how deep to dig bases so winter frost doesn't ruin your hardscape.
- Six Years in the Field: We've spent six years working on yards across the metro, dealing with everything from tight side yards to steep slope corrections.
- Practical Designs: No cookie-cutter layouts. We build around how your yard drains, where the sun sits, and how you use the space.
- Materials Built to Last: We use high-density pavers, commercial-grade wall blocks, and zone-hardy native plants that handle 90-degree summer heat and sub-zero winter blasts.
How a Project Goes from Start to Finish
Clear steps keep projects on schedule and budget
The First Visit
We meet at your home to walk the lawn, check slopes, check where water pools when it rains, and talk through what you want to build.
Drafting the Layout
We pull together a realistic design plan, laying out hardscape dimensions, stone choices, and plant types along with clear pricing.
The Build
Our crew gets to work. We excavate, bring in heavy gravel bases, lay stone, and plant beds while keeping the site as clean as possible during construction.
Walkthrough
When the tools are packed up, we walk the space together to verify drainage, check brick alignment, and make sure you're completely happy with the finish.
Testimonials
Real Feedback From Local Homeowners
Here is what a few of our neighbors have to say about working with our crew.
FAQ’S
Common Questions
How long does a build take?
A standard paver patio or fire pit usually takes 2 to 4 days on site. Larger jobs—like terraced retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, or full yard regrading—can take 1 to 2 weeks depending on weather. Rain can throw off excavation dates, but we keep you posted daily if weather delays us.
How do you figure out the estimate?
Estimates depend on square footage, material selection, site access for machinery, and how much digging or soil correction is needed. Flagstone and heavy concrete pavers carry different material costs than basic stone. We list out labor, equipment, and material costs line by line so you see where every dollar goes before work starts.
Can I pick my own pavers and plants?
Yes. We bring out material catalogs, paver samples, and plant suggestions, but you have final say on colors, patterns, and stone textures. If you have a specific plant or brick style in mind, we’ll order it or find a frost-resistant alternative that works in local soil.
Do you offer maintenance after everything is installed?
We do. Newly planted trees and shrubs need water and pruning, while paver joints need fresh sand every few years to stay tight. We handle seasonal yard cleanups, mulch top-offs, weed control, and general maintenance to keep everything looking sharp.
What areas do you cover around Urbandale?
Our shop works throughout Urbandale and surrounding towns like Clive, Johnston, Waukee, and West Des Moines. Being local means we can stop by for consultations quickly and know local building codes and utility call-in rules.
Will a retaining wall fix standing water in my yard?
It will if it’s built right. When we build walls or regrade a lawn, we put in clean washed stone backfill, perforated pipe, and catch basins where needed. That gives trapped groundwater a clean path out so it flows away from your home’s foundation instead of pooling in the grass.
What pavers and plants handle winter best around here?
For hardscapes, we use high-density concrete pavers and natural stone like limestone or granite that won’t absorb water and spall during winter freeze-thaw cycles. For plantings, native Iowa perennials, ornamental grasses, and local conifers do best because they tolerate heavy summer clay and sub-zero winter winds without dying off.
Can you set up drip lines or sprinklers while building?
Yes. It’s much easier to lay irrigation tubing or set up drip lines during initial excavation than it is after sod and stone are down. We coordinate irrigation zones to feed new plant beds and grass direct water without soaking paver joints.