How long before I can use my new lawn?

Light foot traffic is usually okay after two to three weeks once the sod begins to root. Full use, including kids, pets, and mowing, generally takes four to six weeks. Walking on sod before it is properly rooted can pull up seams and damage the grass edges.

Can you sod over an existing lawn that's in bad shape?

No. Sod needs bare, properly prepared soil to root successfully. Installing sod over existing grass creates a barrier between the new sod and the soil, which can prevent proper rooting and lead to dead patches. The old lawn should be removed before installing new sod.

Is sod or seeding better for Ottawa properties?

Sod provides an instant lawn and tends to be more reliable during the first year. Seeding is less expensive but takes a full season to establish and can be affected by birds, dry weather, and weeds. For homeowners wanting quick and consistent results, sod is usually the better option, while seeding can work well for very large areas where cost is the main concern.

How much topsoil do you put down before laying sod?

Typically, a minimum of three to four inches of topsoil is installed before laying sod. If the existing soil is dense clay or heavily compacted, additional depth may be added in certain areas to improve drainage and root growth. The topsoil layer is important because it provides the base where the grass roots establish.

Landscape Renovation in Ottawa – Refresh, Redesign & Restore Your Outdoor Space

Old interlock sinking? Overgrown gardens? Tired backyard? Bennett Lawn & Landscape handles full landscape renovations in Ottawa – one crew, no stress.

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Signs It’s Time for a Landscape Renovation in Ottawa

Take a look around your yard. Are the pavers sinking or heaving? Does it flood every time it rains? Are overgrown plants swallowing your windows and walkways? Is the grass patchy no matter what you try? Are the steps cracked or unsafe? Any one of these might be a small fix.

Seen together, though, they usually point to a yard that needs a full renovation rather than another temporary patch job.

Modern front yard landscaping with ornamental grasses and a paver pathway on an Ottawa bungalow

Modern front yard landscaping with raised stone planting beds and paver walkway on a two-story Ottawa home

What a Landscape Renovation in Ottawa Actually Covers

Renovation doesn’t mean starting completely from scratch. Most landscape renovation projects are selective. We remove and redo the sections that are actually failing while keeping the parts of your yard that are still working fine.

If a mature tree, garden bed, or section of interlock is still holding up structurally, there’s usually no reason to remove it.

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Our Landscape Renovation Services in Ottawa

What a yard needs depends on what went wrong. We match interlock repairs, bed renovations, lawn rebuilds, and full redesigns to the actual problem, not a generic package.

Interlock Removal & Reinstallation Ottawa

If your interlock has sunk or heaved, we lift it, properly regrade the base, and reset the pavers correctly so the same problem doesn’t come back in a year or two.

Garden Bed Renovation & Replanting Ottawa

We remove overgrown shrubs, regrade beds as needed, and add fresh mulch and plantings that suit the space and the light it gets.

Lawn Renovation & Sod Replacement Ottawa

We kill off dead or weed-heavy patches, regrade where water tends to pool, then lay fresh sod so you end up with one even, healthy lawn.

Full Yard Redesign Ottawa

When a yard is outdated, poorly laid out, or too far gone to patch, our crew tears it down completely and rebuilds it as something that actually works.

How We Approach a Landscape Redesign in Ottawa

We start with an honest assessment of what’s worth keeping and what needs to go, then talk through budget-phased options if you’d rather tackle the renovation in stages instead of all at once. A landscape redesign doesn’t have to happen in a single season to be done right.

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Large-format natural stone patio with a raised stone border in an Ottawa backyard

The Hidden Value of Fixing Drainage in Your Yard Renovation

Ottawa’s clay soils, combined with poor grading, drive much of the flooding and foundation risk we see on renovation projects.

A yard renovation is the natural moment to fix drainage properly, since the ground is already being reworked anyway, rather than leaving it for a future problem.

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How Much Does a Landscape Renovation Cost in Ottawa?

Pricing varies based on demolition and removal costs versus new-build costs, plus whether the job is a partial or full renovation. Drainage work and whether the interlock is reinstalled or replaced entirely also factor into the final number.

Renovation projects vary widely from property to property, and an accurate number requires a site visit. Check our Price Guide for the general breakdown, then request a quote.

Isaac Bennett Ottawa landscape contractor reviewing project plans

Why Choose Bennett Lawn & Landscape for Your Ottawa Yard Renovation

One crew handles every renovation from start to finish, since we don’t bring in subcontractors for interlock work, grading, or planting. Isaac Bennett is personally involved at each stage, from the initial walkthrough to the final cleanup. He draws on hands-on experience with Ottawa’s clay-heavy soil and freeze-thaw conditions that make proper base prep and grading so important here.

That direct oversight means one point of contact, consistent workmanship across every part of the job, and a finished yard that holds up through Ottawa winters instead of needing repairs the following spring.

Trusted & Verified Landscaping Professionals

We back our work with verified reviews, industry memberships, and a commitment to professional standards.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 24 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Vanessa Davidson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We hired Isaac to redo our walkway and he was great to work with. He came out to our place a few times to discuss the project to ensure that we were getting what we wanted. He was very easy to get in touch with, answering our texts very quickly and kept us informed of next steps. On the day, he and his team were very nice and they were meticulous on getting the job done right. Highly recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Naomi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Isaac and his team provided high quality excellent service with fantastic communication. I would highly recommend this company to tackle you landscaping, we are so happy with the outcome!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Chris Sabourin 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We recently hired Bennett Landsaping to update areas of our backyard.  We were extremely impressed with Issac and his crew! The job was completed on time and on budget. The level of communication was excellent, and Isaac and his  crew had some great suggestions that we were excited to incorporate into our original plan. Our property was left clean and free of any left over material and debis. Issac and his crew installed a beautiful firepit with a semi circular bench,  a water feature and walkway, which turned out beautiful.  We would not hesitate to recommend Bennett Landscaping, and would definitely use them in the future. Thanks Issac, Gibby and Remi for a job well done!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Franco Ziroldo 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A big thank you to Isaac and his team for finishing our patio to a very high standard, on time and on budget. This is a very skilled, organized and efficient operation.  Isaac and his team are straightforward, flexible and pleasant to work with.  He gave us the 5 star treatment so I give Bennet Landscaping a 5 star rating in return. Our neighbours had already reached out to him for work on their properties even before he had finished with ours. We look forward to the next project. Totally recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Susan Gordon 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We are so happy with our new front steps!  Isaac was terrific throughout the project.  His creativity, solid knowledge of construction, attention to detail and professionalism transformed our front steps into a beautiful feature, beyond what we could have imagined.  His recommendation to add lighting brought the project to yet another level. His approach to his work extends to his crew who were on time, professional and more than happy to discuss the stages of the project and answer our questions along the way.  They worked hard, were pleasant to deal with and tidied up the site each day. It was a pleasure to work with Isaac and his crew, the results exceeded our expectations and we would highly recommend them.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Susan Bowen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thank you to Isaac and team for rebuilding our front entry way. We especially appreciate the excellent communication during the project. We feel confident with the quality of workmanship. Highly recommend Isaac Bennett.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Karen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was a pleasure dealing with Bennett Lawn and Landscape.  Communication is excellent.  All work was done as described by skilled and approachable staff.  I am truly pleased with the outcome of our project.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   sharon morris 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We can’t say enough great things about Isaac and the team at Bennett Lawn and Landscape! Throughout the project Isaac was professional and provided knowledgeable guidance. He helped us choose the right stone, created a virtual design so we could see the plan ahead of time, and checked in regularly to make sure everything matched our vision. Isaac and his team showed up on time and as scheduled every day. They worked efficiently and left everything clean and tidy at the end of each day. They were responsive, flexible with minor tweaks, and consistently went above and beyond to make sure every detail was perfect. Most importantly, the finished project truly exceeded our expectations. We are absolutely thrilled with the new walkway and stairs created by Bennett Lawn and Landscape! We were 100% satisfied with the entire experience and would highly recommend Isaac and his team at Bennett Lawn and Landscape to anyone looking for high quality, amazing interlock work.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   al belanger GARAGE BUILDS 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My wife and I are very happy with the team at Bennett Landscaping.  Very professional, did a great job and a great clean up.  Strongly recommend

Book Your Landscape Renovation Consultation in Ottawa

Ready to stop patching the same problems every year? Book your free landscape renovation consultation today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Whether your yard needs a full overhaul or a few targeted fixes, here are the questions homeowners in Ottawa ask us most before starting a renovation.

How do I know if I need a full landscape renovation or just repairs in Ottawa?

If multiple areas of your yard are failing at once (e.g., drainage, interlock, lawn, and planting), a full renovation usually makes more sense than a series of one-off repairs. We assess honestly and won’t push a bigger project than the yard needs.

Can you renovate just part of my yard, or does it have to be everything?

Yes. If your interlock patio is holding up fine but the garden beds are a mess, we will only touch the beds. Partial renovations make up a good share of our work, and we would rather fix what is actually failing than sell you a full yard tear-out you do not need.

How much does a landscape renovation cost in Ottawa?

We do not quote a flat rate, since a lawn renovation and a full yard redesign land in completely different price ranges. Check our Price Guide for the general factors, and we will confirm exact numbers once we have seen your yard in person.

What time of year is best for a landscape renovation in Ottawa?

Spring through fall is the main working season, though smaller renovation projects can sometimes be scheduled into late fall depending on weather.

Do you handle both the hardscape and the planting side of a renovation?

Yes, our crew does interlock, drainage, lawn, and planting. They are all part of the same renovation, so we don’t split the job between different contractors.

How long does a full yard renovation typically take in Ottawa?

A full renovation typically runs two to six weeks depending on scope, weather, and how much demolition is involved before rebuilding begins.