Your home investment. Not a pool cost.
A backyard built right is one of the biggest permanent upgrades you can make to a home in Arizona — and the only one your family uses every single day. Larger design-build projects typically include a 3D design phase where useful, alongside an itemized scope, so you see what your investment is buying before we break ground. Honest ranges below — published openly so you can plan without a sales call.
- Site access
- Size
- Materials
- Engineering
- Drainage
- Utilities
- Permits
- Equipment access
- Existing conditions
- Final scope
Binding pricing is only valid in a written proposal signed by an AE representative after a site walk and design conversation.
Five ways to budget — pick where you are.
Pricing Overview
General project ranges by category — start here to see what's possible.
Pricing Guide
Deeper education — what actually drives Arizona outdoor living cost.
Budget Builder
Pick the features you want and plan a realistic budget range.
Instant Estimate
Answer a few questions and get a fast, educational starting range.
Cost Guides
Single-category deep dives — pools, pavers, turf, kitchens, shade, and more.
The complete build
Full backyard resort builds — pool + spa, pergola or ramada, outdoor kitchen, fire feature, pavers, turf, and landscape lighting — typically land in this investment range depending on lot size, finish level, and feature count. This is permanent value built into the home, not a line on next year's expense report.
Starting investment ranges
Each range is what most AE clients invest in their property for that scope of work across the Phoenix metro. Your exact number lives in your 3D design proposal — itemized, honest, and yours to keep whether you build with us or not.
Planning ranges · Last reviewed June 2026 · Internal approver: AE design leadership
Custom Pool & Spa
Most family pools land in this investment range — a permanent upgrade to the home, not a seasonal expense. Plunge pools start lower; full backyard resorts with raised spas, fire bowls, and water features scale up from here.
- 3D design & elevation plans
- Permits, excavation, gunite shell
- Tile, coping, PebbleTec or quartz
- Variable-speed equipment & startup
Pergola or Shade Structure
Aluminum louvered systems, solid roofs, or wood — engineered for AZ sun and monsoon wind loads.
- Engineered footings & framing
- Louvered or solid roof options
- Hidden gutters & drainage
- Optional fans, lighting, misting
Outdoor Kitchen
CMU block construction, premium grills, sealed stone counters, and full gas + power scope.
- Built-in grill & side burners
- Refrigeration, sinks, storage
- Stone or porcelain counters
- Lighting, gas, and electrical
Pavers & Hardscape
Travertine, porcelain, and concrete pavers on engineered base with polymeric joints and proper drainage.
- Compacted aggregate base
- Travertine / porcelain / concrete
- Polymeric sand joints
- Edge restraints & sealing
Artificial Turf
UV-stable turf with cooling-style infill and full base prep — plus custom putting greens on request.
- Decomposed granite base
- UV-stable fibers, including pet-household options
- Cooling-style infill options
- Manufacturer material warranties vary by product; AE provides a separate workmanship warranty on installation
Fire Pits & Features
Built-in gas fire pits start here; fire bowls, water+fire combos, and full fireplace walls scale up.
- Manufacturer-engineered burner & venting
- Lava rock or fire glass media
- Stone surround to match yard
- Optional remote ignition
High-Pressure Misting
1,000+ PSI pumps with stainless anti-drip nozzles — perceived patio cooling depends on humidity, airflow, exposure, pressure, nozzle layout, and maintenance.
- High-pressure pump & lines
- Stainless 0.006" nozzles
- Zoned control
- Hidden routing and quiet operation when conditions allow
Residential Splash Pad
Recirculating systems, soft-impact surfaces, and interactive features sized for your yard.
- Interactive water features
- Slip-resistant rubberized surface
- Recirculation + UV/chlorine
- Drainage & safety design
Why this is an investment, not a cost.
An AE backyard is engineered to add daily livability and long-term home value. We publish honest ranges and build to code with a licensed and bonded Arizona crew. AE provides project-specific workmanship and manufacturer-warranty information in the signed agreement. Website summaries are for planning only.
- Licensed, bonded & insured in Arizona. ROC 340966 (R-62) · ROC 341002 (R-3) · ROC 347738 (KA-5) · ROC 211530 (CR-21). Most Arizona contracting work valued at $1,000 or more — or requiring a permit — must be performed by a properly licensed contractor, subject to statutory exemptions. Verify the legal entity, license status, and classification with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
- Real ranges, itemized scope. You see materials, finishes, equipment models, and a line-item budget before you sign — not a one-line "pool — $90,000."
What actually moves the number
Six variables explain almost every dollar of difference between two projects that look similar on the surface.
Lot conditions
Access width, elevation change, soil type, and utility locations can meaningfully shift cost on otherwise similar scopes.
Finish level
Standard plaster vs. PebbleTec vs. glass tile waterline. Concrete vs. travertine vs. porcelain deck. Finishes drive a meaningful portion of total cost.
Feature count
Each spa, baja shelf, fire bowl, water wall, or automation upgrade adds a defined line item — not a vague markup.
Equipment & automation
Variable-speed pumps, salt systems, heaters, and app-based automation are worth the spend long-term but add to the upfront number.
Permits, engineering & HOA
When permitting, engineering, or HOA coordination is included in AE's written scope, our team coordinates the applicable preparation and submittals. Requirements, fees, responsibilities, and approval timelines vary by project and governing authority.
Timeline
Project timing varies by scope, approvals, selections, site conditions, procurement, and current availability. We confirm a working schedule with you before construction begins.
From estimate to itemized proposal
- 01
Instant estimator
Answer a few questions and get a transparent starting range in about 5 minutes — no sales call required.
- 02
On-site design consult
We walk your yard, confirm scope and budget range, and talk through how you'll actually use the space.
- 03
3D design + itemized proposal
You see your project in 3D with materials, finishes, and a fully itemized scope before signing anything.
- 04
Build
AE self-performs much of its work with its internal team and coordinates qualified specialty trade partners where specialized equipment, licensing, or expertise is required. AE remains responsible for coordinating the contracted scope. Payment milestones for your project are set in the signed agreement; pool and non-pool projects follow different schedules.
The aftercare membership for your outdoor living investment.
Organize your warranties, manuals, equipment models, photos, and maintenance reminders in one private Command Center — and stay connected to the team that built your space.
Plan names, pricing, free-trial terms, and member discounts are being finalized — see the Guardian overview for the current published details.
- Warranty + document vault
- Seasonal maintenance reminders
- Member service portal
- Your records stay yours
Get a real number for your yard.
Tell us a little about your project and we'll come back with a starting range, a recommended next step, and a time to walk the yard.
Plan your project with our team
New projects start at /start. You'll share lifestyle goals, property notes, scope, target investment range, and timing, and we'll come back with a recommended next step.
Prefer to use our booking form directly? You can open the embedded request form on this page instead.
Have questions before you talk to anyone?
Real numbers, real specs, and real tradeoffs across pools, pavers, turf, fencing, lighting, kitchens, permits, and warranty — searchable in one place, in our own words.