Longer-Lasting AND Permeable!
Not all hardscapes are created equally, especially when it comes to porcelain, stone, and pavers. (We don't recommend concrete in Kansas City). In fact, it might be more common to see poorly crafted porcelain or stone hardscapes than it is to find well-made hardscapes.
At High Prairie Outdoors & Pools, we learned from the masters of longevity...literally! We went to Europe and learned how to craft LASTING patios and drives using methods that last decades longer than conventional methods.
Our European Trass foundation for hardscapes is also permeable, which means you won't have standing water, ugly drains, or overtaxing local drainage with excess runoff.
Timeless Style. Lasting Functionality.
Kansas City's Most Durable Hardscape
Think You Could Use a Little Extra Space?
Well-planned, outdoor living rooms can feel like natural extensions of your home’s interior. Think of it as adding a room without the expense of having to build on to your actual home. And there are no confining walls involved, so your senses get a chance to play. Our local Kansas City hardscaping designers can expertly and carefully balance the way your outdoor living spaces interact and relate to the architecture of your home, connecting paths that lead you through different spaces. To do this, we talk to you about how you plan to use your yard and what kind of feelings you’re hoping to create in each of your outdoor rooms — whether it’s for play, entertainment, family get-togethers, seclusion, or even simple and quiet reflection.
And it all typically starts with a patio — the outdoor living foundation. Patios are pleasant places for entertaining, getting lost in a good book, and hanging out with family.
Expand Your Living Space with Kansas City Hardscaping
Searching for a Kansas City patio builder for your backyard hardscaping project? Many times, when you think about landscaping, you’re envisioning adding a grand tree to your front yard landscape, a flowering shrub that brings color and texture, or perennials and annuals that create seasonal color, change, and interest.
Those are the softscapes — the living elements that give your outdoors depth and texture, as well as a connection to nature that comes with the sounds, scents, and smells that stimulate your senses and create a soothing, scenic space.
We all love our softscapes, but adding hardscapes to your yard can bring structure and cohesion to your growing and changing plants. Hardscapes by definition are areas that aren’t made of living things. They are made with materials such as wood, stone, concrete, bricks, pavers, and everything in between to create the ultimate relaxation spaces.
Kansas City Patios & Hardscapes FAQ
- Higher Structural Strength – Averaging a compresive strength of 5000 psi, trass is stronger than concrete (most averages 3000-4000 psi). All other bases have a significant lower structural strength.
- Freeze-Thaw Resilient – Water drains through, eliminating frost heave risk.
- Self-Healing Mineral Matrix – Micro-cracks seal naturally, extending life.
- Maintenance-Free – No re-sanding, re-leveling, or weed issues.
- Clay Soil Compatible – Reduces water pressure and swelling under patios.
- Long-Term Value – Built for decades, backed by a multi-year warranty.
Trass bedding forms a bonded, permeable layer beneath your pavers that blends the strength of concrete with the drainage of gravel. This unique foundation resists frost heave, adapts to subtle soil shifts, naturally seals micro-cracks, and keeps your patio level and stable for decades with minimal upkeep. Learn more about the technology behind trass bedding in our blog on the future of patios in Kansas City.
Kansas City's freeze-thaw cycles, expansive clay, and moisture are tough on conventional bases. Trass bedding excels because it’s permeable—so it allows water to drain through before freezing—and its self-healing mineral matrix resists soil movement while reducing long-term maintenance. This makes it an ideal solution for the region’s unpredictable conditions.
Paver patios can fluctuate in price up to 30% based on type of material selected, existing site conditions, and patio foundation chosen for construction. On average, most paver patios on a crushed rock base average $30 to $46 per square foot. A concrete or European base can be a bit more. High Prairie’s European bases average $40 to $46 per square foot, but structurally last decades longer than conventional patios.
General concrete patios range in price from $12-$16 per square foot when they’re poured on the necessary gravel base. In Kansas City, our clay soils shrink and swell significantly during freeze/thaw cycles, so don’t skimp on the base even if the concrete company “does it all the time”. Stamped or stained concrete can range from $16-$35 per square foot. Our professional trade partners we use for concrete work always use the proper base. Please note we do not offer concrete at this time.
High Prairie has several experienced stone masons on staff who build beautiful hardscapes every day. We only use trade partners for finished concrete or some veneer work with our stone masons are booked out. 98% of our stonework is done by our internal team. 100% of our stonework is managed to pass quality standards by our team.
We recommend paver patios at High Prairie because they last longer and age more gracefully over time. Determining if they’re worth the investment is a personal decision for every family. If a family intends to stay in their home for a while or lives in a high-end area, yes, paver patios are worth it. That’s presuming they have the financial means to comfortably invest in the lasting beauty of a paver or stone patio.
Every hard surface requires maintenance. The structure of a well-built paver patio will not change much over time unless there is an unforeseen issue such as a sinkhole, spring, or other abnormal issue. Under normal conditions, you should plan to seal or reseal every 2-7 years, maintain the sand/joining material every 2-15 years, and surface clean as needed with soapy water. Nearby trees or plants with berries can stain any hard surface and may require special cleaners. Extremely damp or shady areas need sand and cleaning more often.
The High Prairie Process
An Experience-Driven Process
Our processes create customized solutions to help you master the art of the experience-driven lifestyle. This is what to expect when you work with us on Design/Build projects or all-inclusive Maintenance:
Get In Touch
Fill out our online form to get started. We'll be in touch to discuss the details of your project to make sure we're a good fit for you. If so, we'll set up your Discovery Meeting and provide a pricing guide to help you know what to expect.
Discovery Meeting
This is a free meeting at our design studio, where you'll select a design package. You'll have an opportunity to meet your designer and share details about your unique design style. We'll learn about your priorities and preferences as we help you discover your many options and possibilities. At this time, we'll collect half of the design fee.
Site Analysis
The Site Analysis breaks down the three pillars of memory making: how you relax, play, and connect. It includes measurements, drainage and grading considerations, architectural and existing element analysis, soil analysis, and a review of design opportunities, all seen through the lens of your three pillars.
Concept Reveal Meeting
At our studio or remotely, this is where you'll review your detailed design and discuss material options with your designer. If there are budget considerations, we can discuss phasing the project as needed.
Final Design Reveal and Proposal Presentation
We'll finalize the materials and order your selections upon your approval. Your Prairie Power Team will create a project plan, complete with milestones and target tasks. As we work through planning and permitting, you'll receive weekly updates, and after you sign, we'll get you on the schedule.
Crafting Your Space
The team will work diligently and according to schedule. You can track our progress and watch your landscape unfold via our project web platform.
Final Walkthrough + Ongoing Maintenance
You'll do a final walkthrough with the designer, and we will accept the final payment. You’ll learn more about our worry-free maintenance program options and we can schedule your Lawncierge project check-ins for proactive attention and monitoring of your new space.
Year-Round Services for Comprehensive Property Care
All of our services are completed by highly skilled crews equipped with specialized tools and landscaping know-how. With stonemasons, pool builders, horticulturists, and more on our team, we can complete 95 percent of our projects completely in-house, which means you’ll enjoy a stress-free build! As certified General Contractors, we can bring in electricians and plumbers as required, eliminating the need for you to juggle multiple contractors. This is what we can do for you:
Pools
Redefine your summers with a custom concrete or stainless steel pool installed by our in-house pool builders. Your design may include pool decking and landscaping as part of a comprehensive outdoor living space. Visit our Pools page to learn more.
Landscape Design
With a deep understanding of the five distinctive historical garden styles, we create timeless designs that age with grace and beauty. Our experience-driven approach means we take everything into consideration: your lifestyle, existing architecture, personal preferences, practical requirements, and future goals for outdoor living. Visit our Landscape Design page to learn more.
Landscape Installation
The lushest landscapes begin with the healthiest soils. As part of our “Legacy Program”, we’ll lab test your soils and provide a comprehensive plan for building your soil health. Then, our horticulturalists will plant each plant with the care and nurturing even a Master Gardener would appreciate. (Seriously, Master Gardeners love us!) Visit our Landscape Installation page to learn more.
Outdoor Living
The experience-driven lifestyle starts outside! Your outdoor living space should be uniquely yours, with the colors, plants, and features—like built-in grills, outdoor kitchens, privacy panels, fireplaces, paver patios, pergolas, landscape lighting, sound systems and more—that meet your lifestyle goals. Visit our Outdoor Living page to learn more.
Landscape Maintenance
Customize an effortless landscape maintenance program with services like water feature maintenance, plant health care, tree pruning, fungus treatment, lawn mowing, weed control, and so much more. We show up on time, work with precision, and keep you updated on the condition of your property. Visit our Landscape Maintenance page to learn more.
Decks
As a full-service landscaping company, we have our own deck builders. Collaborate with us, and we will match your deck to your needs and home aesthetic. Visit our Decks page to learn more.
Holiday Lighting
Get in the festive spirit without climbing on any ladders! We have the tools and experience required to design exceptional holiday lighting displays that uplift the entire neighborhood—and we'll take those decorations down for you at the end of the season, too. Visit our Holiday Lighting page to learn more.
Spas
Nothing says relaxation like a backyard spa. We can design your spa to fit beautifully on your patio or amidst your garden, and you'll enjoy it for years to come. Visit our Pools & Spas page to learn more.
Sprinklers / Irrigation
Practical, responsible watering solutions give your lawn and plants the support they need without waste. Easy-to-use digital systems offer incredible water and cost savings and require minimal maintenance. Visit our Sprinklers page to learn more.
Drainage
Proper drainage is an investment in the longevity of your home and landscape. We address it as part of your landscape design and installation—or you can work with us to fix any drainage issues in your existing landscape.
Providing Exceptional Landscape Maintenance in Kansas City, MO, and These Area Communities
We offer our comprehensive landscaping services to homeowners throughout the Kansas City area:
- Parkville, Missouri
- Belton, Missouri
- Lee's Summit, Missouri
- Liberty, Missouri
- Blue Springs, Missouri
- Westwood, Kansas
- Fairway, Kansas
- Olathe, Kansas
- Mission Woods, Kansas
Visit our Service Area page to get a closer look at where we work.
