"Most outdoor projects don't fail because of bad materials.
They fail because nobody is thinking about the whole picture."
At Altavera, one team owns the entire build — from grading and drainage through final punch list. Every trade is sequenced. Every decision is made with the whole project in mind. That's what it means to treat an outdoor build like a real construction project.
Every step below happens in order. Not because it's a template — because the sequence is the reason it works.
It starts with a 15-minute phone call. We're not the right fit for every project, and we'd rather know that before either of us invests more time. We'll cover what you're looking to build, your timeline, and a rough budget range — and we'll give you an honest read on whether we're the right team for it.
If it's a fit, we schedule a site visit and move forward. No pressure. Just clarity.
A quick driveway quote doesn't surface the questions that actually determine scope. Getting alignment on goals first saves both parties time — and prevents proposals that miss the mark entirely.
We walk the property. We measure what matters. And we look for what most contractors miss: drainage patterns, existing grading issues, grade changes that affect where water goes, and how the lot sits relative to the home's foundation. These are the invisible problems that become expensive surprises if they're not addressed before design decisions get locked.
Our estimator will document the site thoroughly — photos, measurements, and notes on every constraint that needs to be accounted for before a plan is put together.
Grading and drainage problems caught now cost nothing to address. Caught after the patio is poured, they require tearing up finished work. This is the visit that protects your investment.
How we develop the plan depends on the scope of work. For straightforward projects, we work through the plan with you directly — confirming selections, sizing, and scope — and turn around a quote efficiently. No unnecessary complexity for a project that doesn't need it.
For larger, more involved projects, we start with a budget estimate. Once that range is approved, we engage a trusted Landscape Architect to produce a full design. That design becomes the basis for final pricing — so what you're approving in the contract is built on a real plan, not assumptions.
Either way, material selections are confirmed before work begins. No vague line items. No allowances that turn into surprises mid-build.
Mid-build decisions create change orders. Change orders create cost increases, delays, and friction. Locking scope and selections before breaking ground eliminates that category of problem entirely.
You receive a clear proposal — not a number, but a document. Clear scope. Clear payment structure. Clear build sequence. You'll see how the project unfolds from the first site prep through final walkthrough before you ever sign anything.
We walk through the proposal with you. We answer questions. We want you to feel fully informed — not like you're signing something you hope means what you think it means.
Materials are ordered. Trades are coordinated. Permits are submitted when required. HOA documentation is prepared. You receive a construction start date — and we tell you what to expect in the first week before crews ever arrive.
You won't be surprised in the driveway. You'll know when the excavation equipment shows up, why it's there, what phase is starting, and what comes after it. We set expectations for the messy phases too — because a project that looks like a construction site for a week should feel expected, not alarming.
The number one complaint homeowners have about contractors isn't price or quality — it's communication. Pre-construction is where we make sure you're never left wondering what's happening next.
This is the most important phase — and the one most homeowners never see, because it happens below grade. Excavation. Grading. Drainage. French drains, catch basins, and channel drains placed where water actually needs to go. Irrigation sleeves run under concrete before it's poured. Gas and electrical rough-ins coordinated before surfaces go down.
We don't rush what makes it last. The surface is only as good as what's underneath it. When base prep is done correctly, everything built on top performs for years. When it's skipped, the problems surface in months.
Every hardscape failure we've ever seen traces back to this phase. Patios that shift, pavers that puddle, lawns that never dry out — they're almost always a grading and drainage problem that nobody addressed before the surface went down.
Hardscape, structures, fencing, irrigation, landscaping — installed in intentional sequence under one coordinated team. Trades don't show up out of order. Work doesn't get undone by the next trade. One point of contact owns every handoff.
When a crew arrives on site, you already know who they are. You've received an introduction — the lead, who's on the property, and who to contact with questions. No strangers showing up unannounced. And if the crew isn't on site a given day, you hear from us before you notice — not after the silence sets in.
When nobody owns the whole project, design decisions get made in isolation. A retaining wall built without accounting for drainage behind it. A patio sized without considering furniture. A fence installed before the grading is finished. Altavera owns the picture — so the picture holds together.
We don't call a project done because the crew left. We close out with a structured final walkthrough — punch list items identified and resolved, irrigation system tested and explained, site cleaned, and every loose end tied off.
You walk through it with us. If something isn't right, we address it before the project closes — not after you've been chasing someone for three weeks. The project doesn't end until you're proud of what you walk out to.
Most contractor relationships end the moment the crew drives away. Ours ends when you're confident everything works, everything is finished, and you actually feel proud to show it to someone.
We manage the full build — not a collection of subs you're coordinating. One point of contact from first site visit to final punch list. When something needs to be decided, there's one number to call.
Grading and drainage happen before any surface work begins. Not because we're methodical — because every hardscape failure we've ever seen traces back to water that had nowhere to go. We solve that first.
The homeowner never calls us to ask what's happening. We call first. Every phase is communicated before it begins. Every delay is explained before you notice the silence. Proactive, not reactive.
Selections are locked before work begins. The proposal is a document, not a number. You know exactly what's included, how it sequences, and what you're paying — before the first shovel goes in the ground.
We present good, better, and best options on every project — so you're choosing between levels of finish, not guessing what you can afford. There's no single way to build a great backyard, and your budget shouldn't be a barrier to getting started.
We don't disappear when the crew leaves. The project closes with a structured final walkthrough — punch list resolved, systems tested, site cleaned. Nothing lingering. Nothing left for you to chase. The job isn't done until you say it is.
They're not looking for the cheapest option. They're looking for a team they can trust to handle it the right way — the first time.
They found the right neighborhood, the right schools, the right layout — and walked out the back door to a blank slate. No local network. No trusted contractor to call. Searching for someone who is actually good, not just someone who has a nice website.
"How do I find someone trustworthy when I don't know anyone here?"
They've been through a contractor nightmare — missed schedules, unclear pricing, a project that dragged for months and never really felt finished. Their guard is up. They're not being difficult. They're being self-protective. They need to see that this will be different.
"I can't go through that again. How do I know this won't be the same?"
Technically there's a yard. Sod. Maybe a small concrete pad. But they never really use it. It doesn't match the quality of the inside of the house and it quietly bothers them. They want something better — but they're not sure where to start or what it costs.
"I don't even know what I want. Where do I start?"
It starts with a 15-minute phone call — not a driveway walkthrough with a clipboard. We'll talk through what you're looking to build, your timeline, and a rough budget range to make sure we're the right fit before either of us invests more time.
If it makes sense to move forward, we'll schedule a site visit to walk the property, take measurements, and identify any grading or drainage issues before any design decisions get made.
For smaller, well-defined projects, yes — we provide a free estimate after the site visit. Once we've walked the property and confirmed scope, we'll put together a clear proposal at no cost.
For larger projects that require a full landscape design, we start with a free budget estimate so you can determine whether the scope is within range. From there, moving into a full bid requires a design deposit — which covers the Landscape Architect's design work. That design becomes the basis for your final contract value, so you're approving a real plan, not a guess.
Yes — many clients phase projects based on budget, timing, or HOA requirements. The key is doing the underground work first: drainage, grading, base prep, and any irrigation sleeves or utility runs that need to happen before hardscape goes down.
We'll map out a phasing plan so the finished result looks intentional — not like it was pieced together over a few summers.
Proactively. The homeowner never has to call us wondering what's happening — we communicate before questions arise. If the crew isn't on site a given day, you hear from us before you notice the silence. If materials are delayed, we let you know before you're standing in an unfinished yard wondering why nothing is moving.
Before the build starts, we walk you through what each phase looks like — including the messy ones — so nothing feels like a surprise.
Yes. When permits are required for the scope of work, Altavera coordinates them as part of the project. Requirements vary by city, structure type, and design — we flag what applies early so your project stays compliant and avoids delays.
If HOA approval is needed, we prepare the documentation and plan details typically required for submission.
We provide a 1-year workmanship warranty on all completed work. If something isn't right — a paver that shifts, a drainage issue, a detail that wasn't finished to standard — we'll come back and make it right.
Plants and trees are warrantied for 90 days from installation. We select material appropriate for Idaho's climate, but establishment depends on proper watering during the first season — we'll walk you through what that looks like at closeout.
Because water movement determines whether the entire project holds up long-term. In the Treasure Valley, poor drainage is the most common reason patios settle, pavers shift, and lawns develop soggy spots that never recover — regardless of how much you water them.
Fixing drainage after hardscape is poured means tearing up finished work. We address grading and drainage first — before any surface goes down — so everything built on top performs the way it's supposed to.
We serve Boise, Idaho and the Treasure Valley, including Meridian, Eagle, Star, Kuna, Nampa, Caldwell, Middleton, Garden City, and Emmett.
A 15-minute call first. Then a site visit. Then a proposal with clear scope, clear sequence, and no vague line items. If it's a fit, we move forward. If it's not, we'll tell you that honestly.
Schedule a ConsultationTell us about your project. We'll walk the property, talk through your goals, and give you clarity on scope, sequence, and cost — before any work begins. No pressure. Just clarity.

We elevate outdoor spaces with professional planning, expert execution, and quality craftsmanship — because your outdoor space is an extension of your home, not an afterthought.
Elevated standards. Real integrity.
Idaho Contractor License ID #6971895 · Women-Owned Business
© Copyright 2026. Altavera Construction. All Rights Reserved.
3313 W Cherry Lane Suite 1053 Meridian, ID 83642