(636) 655-3444
St. Louis Design-Build Services by Second Nature
Great outdoor spaces do not happen by accident. They require thoughtful planning, careful site preparation, skilled construction, and a clear understanding of how every element works together. At Second Nature Excavation & Hardscapes, our design-build services bring those pieces together under one experienced team.
With more than 40 years of experience, our team works with homeowners throughout Franklin County and the greater St. Louis area to plan and build functional, attractive outdoor environments. From excavation and drainage to hardscapes and finished landscaping, we coordinate each phase with the complete property in mind.
Why Choose a Design-Build Approach?
Outdoor projects often involve several interconnected phases. When design, excavation, drainage, hardscaping, and landscaping are planned separately, details can be overlooked and costly changes may be needed later.
Second Nature’s integrated design-build approach provides:
- One experienced team from planning through construction
- More than 40 years of local experience
- Designs developed with real site conditions in mind
- Integrated excavation, grading, drainage, and construction expertise
- Better coordination between different phases of the project
- Clear communication throughout the process
What Is Design-Build?
Design-build brings the planning and construction sides of a project together. Instead of creating a design first and figuring out how to build it later, the project is developed with construction, site conditions, drainage, materials, access, and budget in mind from the beginning.
For outdoor projects, this approach is particularly valuable. A beautiful patio still needs the right base. A retaining wall needs proper drainage. An outdoor kitchen needs to fit naturally into the surrounding space. Even planting areas depend on grading, soil preparation, and water movement.
By considering these details together, Second Nature can create outdoor spaces that look intentional and are built to perform.
Our Design-Build Services in Franklin County & St. Louis
Second Nature provides comprehensive design-build services for outdoor projects of varying sizes and complexity throughout the St. Louis area.
Landscape Design & Planning
Every successful project begins with a plan. Our landscape design process considers how you want to use the property as well as its existing layout, architecture, elevations, drainage, sun exposure, access, and surrounding features.
We develop a cohesive plan that establishes the placement, scale, materials, and relationship between different areas of the property before construction begins.
Site Preparation & Excavation
The finished project is only as dependable as the ground beneath it. Second Nature provides professional excavation and site preparation for projects requiring clearing, removal, trenching, grading, soil preparation, or significant changes to existing terrain.
Handling site preparation as part of the design-build process allows us to address real property conditions before they create problems later in construction.
Grading & Drainage
Water management is a critical part of outdoor design, especially with the clay-heavy soils and seasonal rainfall found throughout the St. Louis region.
Our team evaluates elevations and drainage patterns as part of the overall project. When necessary, we incorporate drainage and water mitigation solutions to manage runoff, reduce standing water, and protect new improvements.
Hardscape Design & Construction
Hardscapes establish the structure and usable areas of an outdoor environment. Second Nature designs and builds features that complement both the property and one another.
Projects may include:
- Patios and walkways
- Retaining walls
- Outdoor kitchens
- Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits
- Driveways
- Steps, seating areas, and other custom hardscape features
Because we manage the site work and construction together, each feature can be built with proper base preparation, drainage, elevation, and transitions to surrounding spaces.
Outdoor Living Spaces
A complete outdoor living area may combine patios, cooking areas, fire features, retaining walls, walkways, landscaping, and gathering spaces into one cohesive environment.
Our design-build approach allows these features to be planned together rather than added individually over time without a larger strategy. The result is better flow, more efficient use of available space, and an outdoor environment that feels like a natural extension of the home.
Landscape Installation & Finishing
Once structural construction is complete, landscaping brings the property together. Planting areas, lawns, beds, trees, shrubs, and finishing details soften hardscape features and create transitions between different areas.
Because these elements are considered during the design stage, the final landscape complements the construction instead of feeling like an afterthought.
Design-Build for New Home Construction
New construction provides an opportunity to plan the entire property before disconnected improvements are installed. Second Nature works with homeowners and builders to coordinate new home landscaping with grading, drainage, driveways, hardscapes, outdoor living spaces, and other site features.
Thinking ahead can also preserve space for future improvements and prevent one phase of construction from interfering with another. Instead of simply finishing the ground around a new house, we help shape the property into a complete outdoor environment.
The Second Nature Design-Build Process
Our design-build process keeps planning and construction connected from beginning to end:
- Consultation & Property Assessment: We discuss your goals, priorities, budget, and ideas while evaluating the existing property and site conditions.
- Design & Planning: We develop a plan that considers layout, materials, elevations, drainage, landscaping, hardscapes, and how the finished space will be used.
- Site Preparation: Excavation, clearing, grading, drainage, and other groundwork are completed as necessary to create the proper foundation.
- Construction & Installation: Our team builds the planned hardscapes, outdoor living features, and landscape elements with attention to quality and long-term durability.
- Final Details & Walkthrough: We complete finishing work, review the finished project, and make sure the space comes together as intended.
Keeping these phases under one experienced team provides continuity from the first idea through the finished outdoor space.
Bring Your Outdoor Project to Life With Second Nature
Whether you are transforming an existing backyard, developing a new property, or creating a complete outdoor living environment, Second Nature can take your project from the first idea through final installation.
Contact Second Nature today or call (636) 655-3444 to schedule a consultation for design-build services in Franklin County and throughout the St. Louis area.
Let's discuss your project.
Your outdoor space has more potential—let’s unlock it. From custom commercial landscaping to pools and outdoor living features, Second Nature helps home and business owners in St. Louis and Jefferson County create spaces that stand out. Fill out the form below or call today to schedule your consultation and get your project moving.