New Build, Full Yard Package: Sod, Fencing, and a Deck
- Oct 17, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
This was a brand-new build with a completely empty lot. No grass, no fence, no deck. We laid fresh sod front and back, installed a wood privacy fence around the perimeter with chain link at the rear for open sight lines, and built a new deck off the back of the house. The concrete driveway was handled by another contractor on-site, and everything came together as one finished yard.
The Project at a Glance
Fresh sod in the front and backyard
Wood privacy fence around the perimeter
Chain link fence at the back for open, secure sight lines
Custom deck off the back of the house
Concrete driveway coordination with the on-site concrete contractor
One crew, one plan, one finished yard
The Property
A brand-new home on an empty lot. The house was finished, but the yard was raw dirt on every side. No grass, no fence, no deck, no landscaping.
This is one of the most common calls we get in Winnipeg and across our service area. New builds hand you a beautiful house and a completely blank yard. Somebody has to turn that dirt into a yard you can actually live in, and that somebody usually needs to be one crew that can handle all of it without pointing at the next contractor.
What does a full yard package include?
A full yard package for a new build in Winnipeg typically includes grading, sod or seed installation, perimeter fencing, a deck or patio, and coordination with any other trades still on-site (concrete, irrigation, or utility hookups). The goal is to take a raw lot and hand back a finished, usable yard in one continuous project instead of piecing it together across multiple contractors over multiple seasons.
The Work
Sod: Front and Back
Fresh sod went down across both the front and backyard. Sod gives you an instant lawn instead of the six to eight weeks a seeded lawn takes to establish. For a new build where the homeowner wants to move in and actually use the yard, sod is almost always the right call.
Before sod goes down, the ground needs to be graded properly. That means correct slope away from the house, no low spots where water will pool, and a smooth surface so the sod knits into the soil evenly. On a new build lot, this often means bringing in additional topsoil to make up for what was compacted or lost during construction.
Fencing: Wood in Front, Chain Link at the Back
The perimeter was fenced with two different materials chosen for two different reasons.
Wood privacy fence along the neighbour sides and street-facing property lines. Full privacy, curb appeal, and the definition needed to make the yard feel like a defined outdoor space instead of an open lot.
Chain link fence at the back of the property. Chain link keeps the space secure without blocking sight lines or closing in the yard, which is often the right choice at the rear of a property where you want light, airflow, and visibility to matter more than privacy. It is also cost-effective, which means the fencing budget goes further overall.
Mixed material fencing on new builds is one of the smartest choices a homeowner can make. You get privacy where you actually need it and cost efficiency where you don't.
Deck: Outdoor Living Space From Day One
A new deck went in off the back of the house. Instead of stepping out the back door onto raw dirt or unfinished concrete, the homeowners now have real outdoor living space they can use the day they move in.
Decks on new builds are one of the highest-value additions we build. They transform how the family uses the backyard, they add real value to the property, and they turn a functional yard into a place people actually spend time. For more on how decks hold up in Manitoba, read our post on how long a deck lasts in Manitoba and what shortens its life.
Concrete Coordination
The concrete driveway was handled by another contractor already on-site. Rather than fight over site access or leave a mess for the next crew, we coordinated schedules and stayed out of each other's way. The whole yard came together smoothly, and the homeowner didn't have to play project manager between trades.
This is one of the quiet wins of hiring a crew that can handle most of the yard themselves and coordinate the rest. Fewer contact points, fewer scheduling conflicts, fewer excuses.
Why It Mattered
New build homeowners are almost always exhausted by the time they get to the yard. They have already made a thousand decisions about the house. The last thing they want is to hire four separate contractors to finish the outside and manage all of it themselves.
This project handed the homeowner a finished yard in one continuous package. By the time we wrapped up, the property was ready to live in and enjoy. The yard is secure, green, and usable, and the homeowner has one crew to call if anything ever needs attention.
What order should you finish a new build yard in?
A new build yard should generally be finished in this order:
(1) rough grading and any low-spot correction,
(2) major hardscape and utilities (concrete driveway, walkways, irrigation),
(3) fencing (before sod so the crew has full site access),
(4) deck construction,
(5) final grade and topsoil,
(6) sod or seed. Doing it in this order prevents crews from tearing up finished work and gives you the cleanest possible result. A good landscaping crew will sequence all of this for you.
When should sod be laid on a new build?
Sod is best laid in Manitoba between mid-May and late September, once the ground is workable and there is time for the roots to establish before winter. Late spring and early fall sod actually roots best because temperatures are moderate and rainfall is more consistent. Sod laid in July heat needs significantly more watering. Sod laid too late in October can be caught by frost before it fully establishes.
How long does a new build yard package take?
Timelines vary based on lot size, weather, and how much coordination is needed with other trades on-site. A full yard package with sod, fencing, and a deck typically takes one to three weeks of active work spread across a slightly longer window to allow for sod delivery, concrete curing, and weather. On any given project, we walk homeowners through the timeline before the first shovel goes in the ground.
Can one crew handle sod, fencing, and decking?
Yes. At Flip Flop Construction, we handle sod installation, fencing (wood and chain link), decking, and coordination with concrete and other trades under one crew. That is the whole point of the "one crew, every trade, no excuses" model — new build homeowners get a finished yard without playing contractor themselves. Learn more about our fencing and decking services or our full service list.
Frequently asked questions
Do you do full yard packages for new builds?
Yes. Sod, fencing, decks, patios, and coordination with concrete and other trades. Full yard packages are one of the most common projects we handle in Winnipeg and across our service area.
What areas do you serve?
Winnipeg, Steinbach, Kleefeld, Grand Beach, and surrounding areas in Manitoba, plus Red Lake, Kenora, and Dryden in Northern Ontario.
Can you coordinate with our concrete or irrigation contractor?
Yes. We regularly coordinate site access and scheduling with other trades already on-site. It is faster, cleaner, and easier on the homeowner than juggling contractors yourself.
Do you handle grading before sod?
Yes. Proper grading is part of every sod install we do. Sod laid on poorly graded ground creates drainage problems that cost far more to fix than doing it right the first time. For more on drainage, read our post on why Winnipeg backyards flood every spring and how to fix it.
What's the difference between wood and chain link fencing for a new build?
Wood gives you privacy and curb appeal, chain link gives you visibility and cost efficiency. Most new builds benefit from a mix, with wood on the visible property lines and chain link at the rear or lane side. For more, read our landscaping in Winnipeg guide.
Need a Landscaping Crew That Can Do It All?
We handle full landscaping, fencing, and decking packages across Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Northern Ontario. From sod and grading to decks, fences, and concrete coordination, we build the whole yard as one project so you are not stuck managing five contractors on a new build.
If you are finishing a new build or upgrading an older yard, we will build a plan that fits your space, your timeline, and your budget.
One crew, every trade, no excuses.
📞 431-777-5219
Or explore our portfolio and full service list.
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