Some backyards need one new feature to feel finished. Others need everything rethought at once, and that was exactly the case for Kate and Luke. Their yard had an aging deck, no real privacy, and a patchy lawn that never looked as good as they wanted it to. Instead of tackling those problems one at a time, we gave them a full backyard renovation: a tall privacy fence with a narrow slat design, a completely rebuilt deck with solid stairs and custom railing, and a switch to artificial turf for a lawn that finally looks good year-round.
This page walks through how a project like Kate and Luke’s actually comes together, from the first look at the tired old yard to the finished space they use constantly now. It’s a good example of what a real backyard renovation looks like when every element is planned to work together instead of patched in piece by piece.
Kate and Luke wanted a full backyard renovation, not a handful of separate fixes.
A 9-foot fence with a narrow slat design gave the yard real privacy.
The old deck was rebuilt with solid stairs and custom railing.
Artificial turf replaced the lawn for a low-maintenance, always-green finish.
It’s tempting to fix a backyard one problem at a time: patch the deck this year, maybe deal with the lawn next summer. But Kate and Luke’s yard had three issues working against each other. The old fence wasn’t tall enough to offer real privacy, the deck was worn down and needed proper stairs and railing, and the natural lawn between them never held up to daily use.
Treating those as one project instead of three separate ones is what made the difference. A true backyard renovation means every element- the fence height, the deck layout, the ground cover- gets planned around the others, rather than each piece being designed in isolation and hoping they work together later. For homeowners across Toronto weighing whether to renovate a backyard all at once or spread the work out over a few seasons, projects like this one show how much smoother and more cohesive the result is when it’s handled as a single plan.
Before the work started, Kate and Luke asked the same practical questions most homeowners do: is a 9-foot fence actually necessary for privacy, does artificial turf hold up as well as people say it does, and is a full deck rebuild worth it if the existing structure isn’t completely falling apart? Those questions shaped how the whole renovation was approached.
A backyard renovation only comes together properly when the work is sequenced so each piece supports the next. Here’s roughly how Kate and Luke’s project went from start to finish.
The project began with a new 9-foot fence built with a narrow slat design, giving the yard real height and privacy without feeling heavy or closed-in. The slim slat spacing lets in a bit of light and airflow while still blocking sightlines from neighboring properties, which is exactly the balance Kate and Luke were after.
With the fence in place, the crew moved on to fully rebuilding the old deck, including solid new stairs and custom railing. Rebuilding rather than patching meant the deck could be brought up to current standards for stability and safety, rather than just refreshing the surface while the structure underneath stayed the same.
Before the artificial turf could go in, the existing lawn area was cleared and properly prepped, which matters more than people expect. A rushed turf installation over unprepared ground is one of the most common reasons artificial lawns end up looking uneven or drain poorly.
The last stage brought in the artificial turf, giving Kate and Luke a lush, even lawn that doesn’t need mowing, watering, or constant patching. It’s the kind of upgrade that pays off every single week instead of just on installation day.
The backyard that used to feel unfinished and a little exposed is now a space Kate and Luke actually spend time in. The new fence gives them privacy without shutting out light, the rebuilt deck with its solid stairs and custom railing feels sturdy and current, and the artificial turf keeps the yard looking sharp regardless of the season or how much foot traffic it gets.
Because the whole project was planned as one backyard renovation rather than three unrelated fixes, everything from the fence height to the deck finish to the turf color works together. That’s the kind of result that only comes from treating a backyard as a single space instead of a list of separate repairs.
Most privacy fences range from 6 to 8 feet, but a 9-foot fence with a narrow slat design, like the one built for Kate and Luke, offers extra height and privacy while still allowing light and airflow through the gaps.
Yes. Once properly installed, artificial turf doesn't need mowing, watering, or fertilizing, and it holds its appearance through heavy use and changing weather far better than a natural lawn does.
It depends on the condition of the framing underneath. If the structure has aged along with the surface, a full rebuild with new stairs and railing is usually more cost-effective long-term than patching a deck that's already past its useful life.
A full project like this one, covering fencing, a deck rebuild, and turf installation, typically takes two to four weeks depending on yard size and scope.
Fencing over a certain height and deck rebuilds often require permits in Toronto and across the GTA. It's worth checking local bylaws before the project begins, especially for taller fences and structural deck work.
Small backyard annoyances rarely stay small a tired deck, a lawn that never quite fills in, a yard with no real privacy. They tend to pile up until the whole space feels more like a list of chores than somewhere you want to relax. That’s when a full backyard renovation usually makes more sense than tackling each issue on its own. Jacko Contracting takes care of the entire process, from privacy fencing and deck rebuilds to turf installation, so the finished yard feels like one cohesive space instead of a series of separate fixes stitched together. No matter which of those problems sounds familiar, the solution starts the same way: one plan built around the whole yard, not just the parts that are bothering you most. Request a free consultation to see what a complete backyard renovation could look like for your property.
For Kate and Luke in the Roncesvalles neighborhood of Toronto, we carried out a complete backyard renovation, transforming the space into a private, low-maintenance retreat. One of the standout features is the custom fence we built, designed with a sleek narrow-slat style and an extended height of 9 feet to maximize privacy and create a modern look.
We also rebuilt their deck, incorporating solid new stairs and a custom railing for both safety and visual appeal. To finish the renovation, we installed artificial turf across the yard, providing a lush, green surface that requires no upkeep—perfect for year-round enjoyment.
Based in Toronto, Ontario, we proudly offer a full range of professional general contracting services across the Greater Toronto Area. From interior renovations and custom builds to large-scale remodels and structural improvements, Jacko Contracting ensures every project is completed with precision, safety, and care.
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