Backyard Project Rescue
When a pool, landscape, paver, turf, or outdoor living project goes sideways, AE can help evaluate the situation and build a realistic plan forward.
Quick planning summary
- Best for
- Homeowners whose backyard project went wrong — contractor disappeared, work was done incorrectly, pavers are failing, turf smells, pool stalled, drainage broken, kitchen falling apart, permits unresolved, or the yard sits half-demolished
- Planning investment
- Rescue work is quoted after evaluation — we don't price a fix without seeing the site.
- Typical timeline
- Evaluation typically happens within a few business days of intake.
- Service area
- Phoenix metro — Peoria, Glendale, Surprise, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, and surrounding cities.
- AE division
- AE Outdoor Living
Ranges are planning guidance and reviewed periodically. Final figures live in your signed proposal.
What AE currently offers for this scope
Only options we actively design, source, and build today. Ask in your intake if you don't see what you're picturing.
- On-site evaluation
- Honest save-vs-redo read
- Written scope to complete or correct
- Permit and inspection review
- Realistic budget and timeline
- No-pressure consultation
Common rescue situations
- —Contractor disappeared
- —Work done incorrectly
- —Pavers failing
- —Turf smells or drains poorly
- —Pool project stalled
- —Drainage issues
- —Materials do not match
- —Permits or inspections unresolved
- —Outdoor kitchen or fire feature built improperly
- —Backyard partially demolished
What we can and cannot do
- —We can evaluate, document, and propose a realistic plan
- —We can take over with a written scope and schedule
- —We can coordinate permit cleanup where possible
- —We cannot guarantee every failed project can be fixed cheaply
- —We cannot recover deposits paid to another contractor
The scope items that move the number
Size, selections, access, demolition, utilities, engineering, drainage, permitting, HOA requirements, site conditions, and specialty trades. We surface each one in your written scope instead of teasing a price that omits common cost drivers.
- Scope of the original failure
- Whether existing work can be saved or must be removed
- Permit and inspection status
- Material availability for matching
- Access and demo
- Schedule urgency
How we build it, summarized
- — Written, itemized scope before any work begins; no verbal change orders.
- — Engineering, drainage, and code review documented in the approved design.
- — Manufacturer instructions and current AZ code govern installation methods.
- — Photo documentation captured at each major milestone for the project file.
Final specifications depend on the approved design, site conditions, engineering, applicable code, manufacturer instructions, and signed scope.
See full Construction Standards →Set in your signed proposal
Your signed proposal and agreement control payment milestones, permitting responsibilities, warranty coverage, exclusions, and project scope. Pool and non-pool projects follow different milestone schedules.
What's covered, and by whom
AE provides a two-year workmanship warranty unless a signed agreement states otherwise. Manufacturer warranties apply where applicable and vary by product. Your signed agreement and manufacturer documentation control coverage.
- Pool shell & structureAE workmanship: 2-year AE workmanship
- Pool interior surfaceAE workmanship: Manufacturer warranty appliesManufacturer: Per manufacturer
- Pool tile & water featuresAE workmanship: 2-year AE workmanship
- Pool equipmentAE workmanship: Manufacturer warranty appliesManufacturer: Per manufacturer (varies by product)
- AE LEDs (permanent lighting)AE workmanship: 2-year workmanshipManufacturer: Manufacturer component warranty (varies by product)
- Sonoran Glass & FenceAE workmanship: 2-year workmanship; gate adjustments for 1 yearManufacturer: Manufacturer glass & hardware warranty
- Landscape, hardscape, stone, paversAE workmanship: 2-year workmanship
- Artificial turfAE workmanship: 2-year workmanshipManufacturer: Manufacturer coverage may continue; labor excluded after year 2
- Plants & treesAE workmanship: 90-day replacement with proper care, subject to exclusions
Website information is for planning purposes. Your signed proposal and agreement control the scope, payment schedule, warranty, and project responsibilities.
Backyard Project Rescue questions, answered
What does your 'Backyard Project Rescue' service entail?+
We assess stalled or failed outdoor projects, offering a save-vs.-redo analysis, permit review, and a written scope to complete or correct the work. Our goal is to provide honest, no-pressure solutions.
How much does an initial Project Rescue consultation cost?+
The initial consultation and site evaluation typically costs $250-$500, depending on the complexity and travel distance within the Phoenix metro area.
What kind of projects can you rescue?+
We evaluate a wide range of outdoor projects — pools, pavers, artificial turf, landscaping, outdoor kitchens, lighting, fencing, and full backyard builds. If it involves outdoor living, we can usually evaluate it.
My previous contractor disappeared. Can you help?+
Absolutely. We specialize in taking over abandoned projects, assessing the current state, and detailing the steps necessary to bring it to completion.
How can I tell if my project is 'stalled' or 'failed'?+
A project is stalled if work has stopped unexpectedly or if there are significant delays. It's failed if the work is incorrectly done, unsafe, or doesn't meet original specifications.
Do you work with projects that were started without proper permits?+
Yes, we can assess projects with permit issues. We'll outline what's needed to bring the project up to code and obtain the necessary permits with local Phoenix, Glendale, or Scottsdale authorities.
What if my existing materials were poorly installed or are incorrect?+
We'll evaluate the quality and suitability of existing materials and installation. Our assessment will include recommendations for correction or replacement to ensure longevity, especially in the Arizona climate.
Will rescuing my project be more expensive than starting over?+
Not necessarily. Our save-vs.-redo analysis provides a cost-benefit breakdown, helping you make an informed decision on the most economical and effective path forward.
Published specifications are typical AE planning or construction baselines. Final specifications depend on site conditions, engineering, manufacturer requirements, applicable code, and the signed scope.
What goes wrong when this is done poorly
- Paying the next contractor without an independent evaluation
- Trying to finish the project with the same trades that failed it
- Ignoring permit and inspection problems until resale
- Patching cosmetic issues over structural problems
Often built alongside
Ready to plan this the right way?
One accountable team — design, written scope, build, and aftercare.