If you’re considering a backyard renovation, an important first step that can make the process smoother is to obtain a site survey. You might plan to hire a professional landscape designer or design and plan your own renovation. There are additional middle-of-the-road options; you can hire a designer and then execute the installation yourself, or you can make your own plan and hire installers. No matter which of these many methods you choose, a site drawing will help when planning ideas. There are several ways you can find or create a site survey.

Obtain or Create a Site Survey

If your house was recently built or if you were provided with a survey at the time of purchase, you can enlarge the drawing and make multiple copies to work with. If you can’t find existing documentation specific to your site, you can measure and draw your own. Be careful to double-check measurements and straightness—many borders or structures are not perfectly straight, so it can help to measure with a partner and measure everything twice. Leave room for any existing plants or trees to flourish, and consider the views from any structures. Strategically placed plants and trees can be the best of both worlds by either showcasing or hiding views.

Plot the Structures, Surfaces, and Slope

Permeable surfaces can help with water management, so it’s important to note foundations and driveways. Investigating what might be underground—such as gas lines, power lines, sewer systems, sprinkler systems, etc—can help you plan around the existing obstructions or decide what might need to be removed or changed. Many utilities can be redirected, but be sure to call your municipal district; they can come out for free and mark the lines so you don’t accidentally break ground and cause an expensive repair.

After you lay out the structures and property boundaries in your drawing, also consider the slope of the property. Steep slopes will be served by terracing, which can contain plants and slow water runoff. For extreme slopes, you might consider building a retaining wall during your backyard renovation. Even if you’re an ambitious, capable DIYer, that’s a job best left to the professionals. If you’re looking for an outdoor dining area or a sitting area, make sure to create a flat spot for the furniture to rest.

Assess the Light and Soil Conditions

Considering the light exposure in different areas of your backyard can help you determine which plants will do well in which locations. Determining which way is north and noting it on your site plan can help you decide what to plant during your backyard renovation. It’s helpful to observe the site throughout the year to know what light changes occur and which plants will respond best to those conditions. Don’t make the costly mistake of planting foliage that’s unsuitable to its location; upfront planning can really pay off.

Before you begin planting, test the pH of the soil in your backyard to learn whether you need to supplement nutrients or add topsoil. Also, particular plants thrive in different types of soils, so knowing what type you have in the beginning can help your planning. Garden centers offer soil testing kits. You should test in multiple areas because the conditions can vary, even in a small yard. Use the results to inform your plant choices; your local garden center can likely help with this.

Obtaining a site plan and picking appropriate plants for the site conditions can be the first steps of a backyard renovation that you’ll love for years to come.