Landscape Design & Build in Orangevale, CA
Rated 4.9★ by Orangevale homeowners | Licensed - Bonded - Insured | Since 2008.
South Canyon Construction Inc. takes the headache out of backyard renovations. Instead of you spending weeks chasing down separate guys for concrete, turf, and patio covers, our one licensed team handles everything. We manage the site prep, permit paperwork, excavation, and construction from the first shovel in the dirt to the final walkthrough.
We build clean, comfortable outdoor spaces for Orangevale families who want a yard they can actually use for Sunday dinners and late-night hangouts, without the stress of managing a construction site.
Backyards built for kids, pets, and the Orangevale heat
Orangevale lots are unique, but they all share the same challenge: the Sacramento Valley heat. We design spaces that work with our local climate, not against it.
Whether you’re looking for a Modern California look or a lush Mediterranean feel, our plans focus on shade and durable surfaces that don’t require a weekend of yard work.
- Custom hardscaping: Patios and walkways using Belgard pavers, Travertine, Flagstone, and stamped concrete that won’t crack when the local soil shifts.
- Shade structures: Pergolas, solid patio covers, privacy walls, and sun shades to make your yard usable even in July.
- Drought-smart landscapes: Native California plants and drought-tolerant flora paired with MWELO-compliant drip irrigation to save water.
- Outdoor living hubs: Custom masonry installation for outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and stone seating walls.
- Specialty installs: Luxury outdoor saunas and complete pool remodeling to turn your existing basin into a modern retreat.
- Night lighting: Low-voltage lighting for safety and to keep the party going after the sun sets.
Engineering for Orangevale’s hardpan clay and Heritage Oaks
If you live near Greenback Lane or Hazel Ave, you know the soil isn’t always cooperative. Orangevale is famous for its “hardpan” clay and protected Heritage Oak trees.
We don’t just “put in a patio.” We engineer the base, compact the soil properly, and plan for water runoff.
We are especially careful with Heritage Oak root zones, making sure our designs protect your trees while giving you the functional space you need.
From steep slopes to poor drainage near the house, we build with long-term durability in mind so your investment doesn’t sink or flood. We Guarantee our work because we know the local ground conditions.
Recent work from Rollingwood to the Folsom border
We’ve helped neighbors across Orangevale turn “builder-grade” dirt patches into full-function living zones.
- Compact yards: Using integrated stone veneer seating and vertical planting to make small spaces feel open.
- Large lots: Creating “outdoor rooms” for cooking, eating, lounging, and play using stone borders and subtle elevation changes.
- Structural integrity: Retaining walls and French drains that handle winter rains without eroding your landscape.










Licensed craftsmanship without the stress of managing multiple contractors
The biggest risk in a landscape project is the “gap” between the designer and the guy with the shovel. Because we are a true design-build firm, the team that draws the plan is the same team that builds it.
This keeps your budget on track and prevents the delays that happen when multiple vendors can’t get their schedules to work together.
- One accountable team: From design and site prep to getting materials and the final punch list.
- Professional masonry: Expert stone veneer and masonry installation that stands up to the elements.
- Clear milestones: No guessing when we’ll show up. You get a schedule you can count on and transparent pricing from day one.
South Canyon Construction Inc 19 Google reviewsPosted on Connor Eagen Dennis came by to our Granite Bay residence and helped us design our dream backyard. He facilitated the rest of the project step-by-step and made everything seamless. We are thrilled with our final product and the warranty services that they provided after completion of the project. We couldn’t recommend this company enough to our friends and family and hope you go with them moving forwardPosted on Lori Manodori Dennis and his exceptional crew made our ideas for our home and yard a reality. They provided excellent workmanship and service. I highly recommend them. We are very pleased with their work and you will too!Posted on Margaret Working with Dennis was effortless. He took care of prepping our backyard for concrete and he was very easy to work with. Very professional and skilled. I would highly recommend their services!Posted on Julie Tonseth I recently moved into a new house where the backyard needing some serious attention. The dirt is solid clay with rocks and the drains were broken by tree roots. I had South Canyon extend my concrete patio, add electrical for a future spa, fix the drainage and add a pergola. It was a fantastic job! Even with having to deal with 2 entities for the permits, Dennis handled it for me and was completely professional. His crew was detailed and cleaned up every day, and every question I had was answered completely. I appreciate them getting me off and running here in my new backyard and couldn't have asked for a better outcome!Posted on Timothy Fomin South Canyon Construction transformed my Granite Bay home outdoor space with their exceptional landscaping and concrete work, and I couldn’t be happier with the results! From start to finish, the process was seamless, professional, and stress-free. Their team was incredibly skilled, respectful, and dedicated to bringing my vision to life. They paid attention to every detail, ensuring the highest quality in both the design and execution. The crew was punctual, courteous, and kept the worksite clean throughout the project. South Canyon Construction exceeded my expectations, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for top-notch landscaping and concrete services. Thank you for an amazing job!Posted on James Ochi UPDATE 1/6/25: Viktor and his crew finished our project two months ago now (see below). We had rain right before the last day of construction, which caused all four of the large ceiling fans in our newly built shade structure to suddenly fail. Viktor to his credit took it upon himself to troubleshoot while I was dealing with customer service at the fan manufacturer. He was able to isolate the cause of the fan failures quickly and efficiently and determined these were all due to the same manufacturing defect. Getting this resolved completely has required Viktor to return to our home several times, which he has done without complaint or charging me extra. You can trust Viktor to make sure everything is completely done before he considers his work finished! NOVEMBER 2024: We had extensively remodeled our previous home, so felt comfortable evaluating potential contractors. We wanted to completely renovate our property which would be the largest and most expensive project we have ever undertaken. Viktor, the owner, came on time to our first appointment, and I was pleased to know he is very experienced with large landscape remodeling projects like what we envisioned. I was impressed that he and his crew work only one job at a time, which in our experience is a characteristic of contractors who do the best work and have the happiest clients. Viktor’s bid was one of the lower ones we solicited, which was also a plus. We feel very fortunate to have selected South Canyon Construction for our project. Viktor and his crew arrived promptly at 0700 every weekday and never wasted any time getting things done. The workers are polite and respectful at all times and clean everything at the end of every day. Viktor kept me updated on the progress of all aspects of our project and answered all my questions promptly and straightforwardly. Viktor and his crew regularly went over and above what was specified in the plans. It is clear to me Viktor prioritizes the quality of his work over everything else and goes to great lengths to make sure all details are performed properly. I can confidently recommend South Canyon Construction to anyone who wants to have their project completed efficiently and with great care and skill.Posted on mike hawk The team at South Canyon came out and truly transformed our East Sacramento backyard into a real gem. The astroturf and retaining walls they installed beautifully complete Dennis’ wide choice of plants. My wife and I could not be happier with South Canyons service and expertise.Posted on Rob Katibah We have had Viktor and his South Canyon Construction crew to our house for 3 separate projects over the past 5 years and each has turned out beautifully. Whether it’s hardscape or softscape – from stonework to metal work, there doesn’t seem to be anything Viktor and his crew can’t do in a top-notch fashion. Let me tell you, this is one hard-working crew. Count me as highly impressed – I don’t think you can find a better landscape contractor. Seriously.Posted on Susan Shanmugam In 2014 we embarked on a large scale backyard renovation. Our landscape architect referred us to landscape contractor, Viktor Zakernichnyy, owner of South Canyon Construction, to turn our plans into a reality. Viktor was prompt and straight forward quoting the entire job. They work one project at a time and Viktor was here with his small team all day, every day until completion. They are all incredibly hard workers and genuinely nice people. Throughout the work Viktor was always present, working and supervising. He was flexible about working within our budget and with changing things as the project evolved. They built a seamless raised and covered patio addition installing large sliding doors to the house, installed hardscaping, artificial turf, an outdoor kitchen, a gas fireplace, a water feature, lighting, and plantings. The final result was completed beyond our expectations and with the highest quality of workmanship. When it came time to do another large scale project in 2022, we didn’t hesitate to call South Canyon Construction. Once again, we had a wonderful experience working with Viktor and his team and were thrilled with our new front yard including a new courtyard, drainage solutions, hardscaping, irrigation, sod, concrete driveway, landscape lighting, and plantings. We have also had them do other smaller projects over the years and will continue to use them in future. There’s no run around, no absences, and no surprises with this company. Viktor is the most honest and trustworthy contractor we have ever dealt with. We would absolutely recommend South Canyon Construction.Posted on dimitry malishuk I was recommended south canyon construction for some landscaping work and a retaining wall to be built in my backyard. I was in disbelief on the professionalism and timeliness this company showed. Dennis and his team were very fast and clean and took about 5 days to complete my whole backyard. Dennis was in charge of the project, he gave me a big list of trees and plants to choose from, he made everything very simple and easy. Not to mention he responds very quick and provided me with a bid which I think was priced very fairly. I would highly recommend south canyon construction inc to anyone due to the ambitious nature of Dennis and his team.Showing our latest reviews
How we get from the first sketch to your finished patio
- The on-site consultation: We meet at your home to look at your grading, wind patterns, sun exposure, and how you plan to use the space.
- The approval: We provide a dimensioned plan and a clear proposal that outlines the phases and the target start window. We handle all permit processing and order materials early to lock in your timeline.
- The build: Our crew handles the excavation, base work, and installation to manufacturer standards. We finish with a walkthrough to show you how to operate your new lighting and irrigation.
Start your Orangevale backyard project
Tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll show you how we can make it happen within your budget and timeline.
Call (916) 742-3992 or request your design consultation online.
Often asked questions
1. Do I need a permit for a new patio or retaining wall in Orangevale?
Most small paver patios do not require a permit in Sacramento County as long as they are at grade and don’t change the drainage of the lot.
However, you will need a permit for any retaining wall over 4 feet tall or any deck that is more than 30 inches off the ground. We handle all the permit paperwork for you to make sure your project stays up to code and follows local safety rules.
2. How much does a full landscape design and build project cost?
Backyard projects in Orangevale vary depending on the materials you choose and the size of your lot. A typical renovation that includes a paver patio, a custom shade structure, and new sod or turf usually starts around $25,000.
Larger projects with outdoor kitchens or pool remodeling can go significantly higher. We provide a clear, itemized quote before we start any work so you know exactly where your money is going.
3. How do I protect my Heritage Oak trees during construction?
Orangevale has strict rules about Heritage Oaks because their root zones are very sensitive to soil compaction and grading changes. We follow a specific protection plan that includes fencing off the “drip line” of the tree and avoiding any heavy machinery near the trunk.
This approach makes sure your trees stay healthy and live for another hundred years while we build your new outdoor space around them.
What is the best way to deal with Orangevale’s hardpan clay soil?
The hardpan clay in our area doesn’t drain well, which is why so many yards end up with standing water during the winter.
We solve this by grading the lot away from the house and installing French drains or dry creek beds where necessary. We also use a deeper gravel base under our paver patios to Guarantee they stay level and don’t sink when the clay gets wet and shifts.