Custom Projects - Compass Outdoor Living

Grand Junction averages around 10 inches of rain per year; less than a quarter of the national average. Traditional lawns fight that reality every season, demanding constant irrigation to stay alive in a climate that doesn't naturally support them.

Xeriscaping works with the climate instead of against it.

By replacing high-water turf with drought-tolerant plants, decorative rock, decomposed granite, and native groundcovers, a xeriscape gives you a yard that looks intentional year round without the water bill or the weekly maintenance. It also tends to look better in our landscape than a patch of struggling grass: the Western Slope's natural palette of stone, sage, and earth tones translates naturally into a well-designed xeriscape.

Compass designs and installs xeriscapes that hold up through our summers, look sharp through winter, and give local wildlife, particularly pollinators, somewhere to land.

A pergola or pavilion transforms an outdoor area from a space you pass through into one you actually spend time in. It defines the room, provides shade in a climate where summers regularly push into the 90s, and gives you something to hang lighting from, train plants up, or attach a shade sail to.

The difference between the two: a pergola has an open lattice or slatted roof that filters light; a pavilion has a solid roof that provides full cover from sun and rain. Both can be built freestanding or attached to the house, and both pair naturally with the other outdoor living elements Compass builds; fire pits, outdoor kitchens, and paver patios.

Pergolas and pavilions are quoted individually since size, materials, and attachment type vary too much for a standard price range.

Stairs are one of those elements that make or break a landscaped yard. Done well, they connect levels gracefully, invite movement through the space, and feel like a natural part of the design.

Done poorly, or not at all, a sloped yard has areas that nobody uses because they're awkward to access.

Compass builds outdoor stairs in natural stone, poured concrete, pavers, and boulders, integrated with retaining walls, terraced garden beds, or standalone as a path connection. We design steps to the correct rise and run for outdoor use, which is different from interior stairs, so they feel natural to walk and hold up through winter without becoming a hazard.

Artificial turf has come a long way from the scratchy green carpet of twenty years ago. Modern synthetic grass looks realistic, drains properly, and handles Grand Junction's UV intensity without fading the way earlier products did. It's also genuinely low maintenance; no watering, no mowing, no brown patches in August. We install both putting greens and general turf areas.

Putting greens include proper subsurface prep, consistent speed turf, and contouring for realistic play. General turf is a good alternative to lawn in areas where xeriscape feels too sparse but irrigating grass doesn't make sense.

An in-ground trampoline is the version parents actually want: kids love it just as much, but it sits flush with the yard so there's no frame to climb, no exposed springs at eye level, and nothing dominating the view from the house. It integrates into the landscape rather than sitting on top of it.

Installation requires proper excavation, a drainage solution at the base of the pit, and a retaining structure around the opening. It's more involved than dropping a frame trampoline on the lawn, but the result is cleaner, safer, and adds to the yard rather than detracting from it.

Concrete is one of the most versatile materials in outdoor construction and one of the most unforgiving when it's done wrong. Cracked, uneven, or poorly finished concrete is expensive to fix and hard to ignore.

Compass handles decorative and structural concrete work: driveways, walkways, pads, curbing, and exposed aggregate finishes. We include proper sub-base preparation and control joints sized and placed to manage cracking, which matters in a climate with the freeze-thaw cycles Grand Junction gets through winter.

The finishing touches are what make an outdoor space feel considered rather than just functional.

Compass sources and installs decorative elements that tie a design together; planters, water bowls, sculptural rock features, custom lighting arrangements, decorative boulders, and ornamental pieces that work with the surrounding hardscape and planting.

This category is deliberately broad because the requests vary. Some clients want a single statement piece to anchor a patio. Others want help pulling together the smaller details across a finished outdoor room. If you have something specific in mind, or want a recommendation based on what's already been built, bring it up during your estimate conversation and we'll work it in.

A Colorado native at heart, Chris Murphy grew up enjoying everything the outdoors has to offer; from fishing to snowboarding on the Western Slope. That passion for the outdoors became his livelihood when he launched his first home and lawn business, eventually founding Compass Outdoor Living in 2017.

Holding both an ICPI Certificate and Certified Aquascape Contractor designation, Chris has built the company into a leader in luxurious outdoor spaces, hardscapes, and natural ecosystem ponds and water features. Alongside his wife Corinne, who oversees operations, Compass Outdoor Living delivers creative, professional designs that transform outdoor spaces across Western Colorado. Learn More →

Do you only do the projects listed on this page
No.

These are just the ones we're asked about most often. If you have something in mind that isn't here, get in touch anyway. We've taken on plenty of projects that didn't fit a standard description, and we'd rather tell you honestly whether we can help than have you assume we can't.
Can you combine multiple custom projects into one build?
Yes, and that's often the most efficient way to do it. A single mobilisation covers excavation, base prep, and site logistics for multiple elements at once. A pool, putting green, pergola, and patio built together is typically more cost-effective than doing each separately over several years.
Is artificial turf a good choice for Grand Junction's climate?
It's actually one of the better climates for it. Grand Junction's low humidity means turf dries quickly after rain, the UV-stabilised fibres hold colour well in high-sun environments, and the lack of natural rainfall means you're not fighting an ecosystem that wants to grow things through it. The main consideration is surface temperature on very hot days. We can advise on infill options and shading that keep it comfortable underfoot in summer.
How does an in-ground trampoline drain?
A drainage layer at the base of the pit allows water to disperse into the surrounding soil. On sites with poor drainage or heavy clay, we may include a sump or French drain connection to route water away from the pit more actively. Proper drainage is essential. A pit that holds water becomes unusable and accelerates wear on the mat and frame.
Do you need a permit for a pergola or pool in Grand Junction?
Pools require a permit in the City of Grand Junction and Mesa County.

Pergolas and pavilions typically require a permit if they're attached to the house or exceed certain square footage thresholds, but a small freestanding structure may not. We check the applicable requirements for your specific project and site before we start.
What's the difference between a pergola and a pavilion?
A pergola has an open or slatted roof. It filters light and provides partial shade but won't keep rain off. A pavilion has a solid roof and gives you full cover from both sun and rain. Pergolas tend to suit more garden-integrated settings; pavilions work better as defined outdoor rooms you want to use in all weather.
Can a putting green be built on a slope?
Yes, within limits. Modest slopes can be worked into the green's contour design, which actually makes for more interesting play. Steeper grades may need levelling first, which typically involves some retaining work around the green's perimeter. We'll assess the site and let you know what's practical.
Can you remove an existing concrete slab or old landscaping before building something new?
Yes. Demolition and site clearing is something we handle as standalone work or as the first phase of a larger project. If something needs to come out before you can build what you want, we can take care of that too.

Custom Outdoor Landscaping Projects in Grand Junction, Colorado

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Do you only do the projects listed on this page

Can you combine multiple custom projects into one build?

Is artificial turf a good choice for Grand Junction's climate?

How does an in-ground trampoline drain?

Do you need a permit for a pergola or pool in Grand Junction?

What's the difference between a pergola and a pavilion?

Can a putting green be built on a slope?

Can you remove an existing concrete slab or old landscaping before building something new?

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