A sloped backyard can feel like a landscaping challenge, but with the right approach, it can become one of the most beautiful and functional features of your property. Instead of leaving the slope unused or fighting constant erosion, a terraced backyard design creates usable, level spaces that enhance both appearance and practicality.

Why Choose Terracing Instead of a Retaining Wall?

Retaining walls have long been the traditional solution for managing slopes. While they can be effective, they often result in a single flat space that lacks versatility. A terraced backyard design, on the other hand, provides multiple levels that can be tailored to different purposes—gardens, seating areas, outdoor kitchens, or even play zones for children.

Terracing also improves water management. Instead of water running straight down the slope, each terrace slows runoff, reducing erosion and helping plants thrive. It’s not just a functional upgrade—it’s a way to bring character and unique visual appeal to your outdoor space.

Design Considerations for Terraced Backyards

When planning a terraced backyard design, it’s important to think beyond aesthetics. Key factors include:

• Slope grading and drainage – Proper planning ensures terraces won’t wash out during heavy rain.
• Material choice – Stone, brick, or wood edging can complement your home’s architecture.
• Intended use of each level – Garden beds, patios, fire pits, or lawns can be incorporated.
• Accessibility – Well-placed steps or paths make moving between terraces effortless.

A professional approach ensures that the design not only looks beautiful but also remains stable and functional for years.

The Role of Compact Excavators

One of the biggest advantages in creating a terraced backyard design is the use of compact excavators. Unlike large, bulky equipment, compact excavators can navigate tight residential spaces with minimal disruption to the surrounding landscape. Mackland LLC specializes in using these tools to deliver precision terracing, ensuring each level is built with care and efficiency.

Learn more about compact excavator advantages here.

Why Choose Mackland LLC?

With years of hands-on experience in excavation and landscaping projects across the Denver area, Mackland LLC is the trusted choice for homeowners who want to maximize their outdoor space. Their attention to detail, use of the best equipment, and reputation for getting the job done right make them the ideal contractor for creating a terraced backyard design that adds beauty, function, and long-term value to your property.

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Swimming Pool Demolition and Removal Services

We have been doing Denver indoor pool demolition for years. Are you trying to decide what to do with an indoor pool? Is it outdated or do you just not use it much anymore? 

Denver indoor pool demolition

MackLand LLC is a specialist with in-ground swimming pool demolition and indoor pool conversions.  Over the years we have developed a wide range of processes to convert your indoor pool into a usable space.  Every indoor pool conversion is unique and custom tailored to our client’s needs.   

We always contact the local authorities before we dig.

The first thing we is evaluate the structure. Some indoor pools were additions to the main structure. It is common for there to be problems where addition meets the existing structure and poor architectural integration. We help you evaluate the total project cost so there are no hidden surprises. 

The biggest challenge with indoors pools usually is access.  MackLand utilizes specialized equipment that can get fill material in quickly with limited access on residential and commercial properties.

The second challenge is to design a floor to span the pool that is structurally sound and cost effective.  Ideally you want to pour an entirely new concrete floor for the entire room.  We pay close attention to the condition of the existing pool deck and finished floor elevations of surrounding rooms and doorways. MackLand can inform you and help you decide between pouring over the existing floor or removing the existing floor and how far to take the sides of the pool down.

After a number of months our customer has finished the remodel. Wow – can you believe that this was an indoor pool before? Such vision and excellent usage of space, Talk about the value of your home appreciating by the removal of a pool?

If your indoor pool is draining your wallet or has lost its appeal, give MackLand a call today. We are Denver & Chicagoland’s premier pool removal specialists. Let us put your mind at ease and increase your real state value with one simple phone call. We also can quickly expedite the process

No one removes more pools than MackLand.

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Swimming Pool Demolition and Removal Services

MackLand continues to improve our operation with the latest equipment and processes available. When you are building over a pool, with the price of lumber and other materials today, failure is not an option.

We utilized remote control rock slinger trucks to place the material precisely, reducing labor and exposure to harmful dust and carbon monoxide. Making things heathier and safer for both us and our clients. When filling in an indoor pool, air quality is a concern. Below is a video of the rock slinger truck being backed up to the job by remote.

We consulted with a structural engineer for the best fill material to use to provide a structurally sound floor to support interior load bearing walls that are going to support a second floor. Aggregate with a rock slinger/conveyor truck was used to fill the pool. We were able to send it in through an opening, creating a ramp into the pool to bring the compaction equipment in. This moved the material in quickly, allowing us to focus on compaction. We watered the material in, adding the moisture content to aid in maximum compaction.

This indoor pool removal was more of an indoor room renovation. Filling in the pool was the first step for our clients. They are planning on renovating this space into living area for their kids. After the concrete floor is in place, our client can move on to the next phase of converting this room it a space for their kids.

If you live in the Denver Metro Area or in Chicagoland and you are ready to find out more about removing your swimming pool, please do not hesitate to give us a call or fill our our form. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about pool removals or any of the other services that we offer.

No one removes more pools than MackLand.

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Pool Demolition and Removal Services

Are you and your backyard skatepark getting older? Not spending a lot of time skating and wishing you had more backyard to use? Here at MackLand, LLC, while we specialize in swimming pool removals and demolition, we also remove skate pools.

When our client purchased the home, the skate pool was in place. The previous owners purposely built the skate pool to skate in their own backyard. Our client used it a bit but wanted to get more out of his backyard. That is where MackLand, LLC came in. We broke up the concrete skate pool and retaining walls and leveled the area.

We also worked with the client on possible patio and backyard designs to provide more room for entertainment. Our client opted to take that stage on themselves.

If you are ready to find out more about removing your skate or swimming pool, please do not hesitate to give us a call or fill our our form. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about our services that we offer.

No one removes more skate pools and swimming pools than MackLand.

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Swimming Pool Demolition and Removal Services

Are you thinking about removing your inground swimming pool and are in the Wheat Ridge area? Call MackLand, LLC – landscape architects and pool removal contractor – to speak with a professional company that specializes in pool removals. Our family run business has the experience and knowledge to handle any pool removal issues you may have.

• Be aware of referral/marketing services that are not referring the best contractors for the job.  The lowest bid is most likely not the best bid and you can’t always trust online reviews. 
• The value of performance and experience is often overlooked.
• One of the biggest differences in our services is that we are concerned about the impact to your property during the pool removal process. We use ground protection and specialized low ground pressure equipment.

If you are ready to find out more about removing your swimming pool, please do not hesitate to give us a call or fill our our form. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about pool removals or any of the other services that we offer.

No one removes more pools than MackLand.

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Note: Many other contractors do not properly restore the access path and pool area to a professional level. Don’t be fooled by lower prices that don’t include professional restoration.

COMPARING PRICES

Comparing apples to apples is just about impossible. In most cases we provide a scope of services that you would have to go multiple contractors to get the same scope of work completed. This is something anyone can do, but to do it correctly in a timely manner you need to have the right equipment and experience. Anyone can fill in hole, but the difference is the in the possibility of settling and impact/trauma to your property by the equipment being used. An excavation company may be cheaper, but they are not going to restore damage to your yard and will likely want to use over kill equipment causing unnecessary trauma to your property. Other landscape companies do not have the equipment or demolition knowledge to complete the project in safe timely manner without future issues.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Settling is the most common question asked. To date MackLand, LLC has never had an issue with settling on a pool removal. Why? Because we fill in thin even layers and compact it evenly as we fill the pool in.

How long will it take?

Most in ground pool removals are completed in 3-7 days. Above ground pool removals are completed in one to two days.

Who gets the permits?

MackLand, LLC will obtain all permit as part of our services.

How do we get started?

MackLand, LLC will start the permit process with a signed contract and a copy of your plat of survey.

What is PGE?

PGE is a regional classification of coarse gravel. PGE is 6-8” minus recycled fractured concrete gravel with fines suitable for use as sub base for roads or for general structural fill. MackLand, LLC will process all concrete
associated with the pool into PGE and use it as fill material.

What is better sod or seed?

Seed is by far the best way to go. Grass grown from seed will develop a more drought tolerant root system and blend into your existing lawn better. Also with sod it very possible to get grubs and other pests from the sod farm.

Sod vs Seed?

When do you need the project deposit?

MackLand, LLC prefers to pick up the deposit check in person after the permits are approved. Mack will deliver the permits and pick up the deposit check at that time. The remaining balance is due on completion.

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Don’t let your old swimming pool define the space.  Often older pools dominate the space and do not leave room to entertain.  You must wonder if it is the best use of space?  Removing the pool opens a world of possibilities that can add value to your home and increase the usable space in your backyard.  Do you want a large lawn area for the kids and dogs to run?  Or how about a large patio with a firepit or outdoor bar or kitchen?  Or all the above?  Installing a spacious patio with different gathering areas and diverse spaces can enable you to entertain and social distance. 

That’s not to say that installing or working with your current pool isn’t possible as well.  Today’s swimming pools place emphasis on the spaces around it and how it relates to other features in the backyard.  On average, the are slightly smaller and shallower than traditional pools.  The key is to balance out the pool cost (which is typically the largest) with the costs for the surround spaces.  The most value is added when everything is done to the same level.

MackLand’s landscape architects are here to help you design the backyard you are looking for.  We are following the CDC’s best practices and public health guidance to keep our clients and staff safe.  If you are in the Denver Metro area or the greater Chicagoland area, please contact us to discuss your options. 

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Park Ridge, Illinois is a highly sought after housing market. Our client purchased this house with the intent to fix it up as a rental. Removing the old, unused pool in the backyard was a big part in getting the house ready.

We broke up the all concrete pool and hauled it all offsite. Park Ridge, IL does not allow any part of the pool to be buried onsite. We also removed the concrete walk around the pool.

As we do with all our pool removals, we brought in clean fill material and compacted in layers. After bringing in pulverized topsoil, spreading grass seed and installing erosion control blanket, we finished the job and left the future renters with an expansive back yard.

If you live in the greater Chicagoland or Denver Metro areas please do not hesitate to give us a call about swimming pool removal or any of the other services that we offer.

No one removes more pools than MackLand.

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After a pool removal we often get asked to replace the pool as a focal point.  If you are looking for low maintenance and low energy consumption, consider adding a sculpture piece.  Garden artwork from a well know artist is a better investment than a swimming pool from our perspective.  A great example of art that can give you something unique that no one else has are these wind sculptures by Lyman Whitaker.  This is an example kinetic art (art that depends on motion for its effects) by a well know artist whose work will hold its value.

Let MackLand, LLC help you find the signature piece for your landscape.  Contact us to discuss your options.

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After recently purchasing and moving in, our client in Aurora, Colorado contacted us about removing the failing pool that dominated her backyard.

This fiberglass shell pool had seen better days.  With the freeze/thaw that winters in Colorado bring us and the close proximity of a mature pine tree and its roots, the pool had lifted and shifted.  The previous owners had addressed the issue with Great Stuff foam.

The back yard was a very tight area to work in.  That’s where our specialty with working with compact excavators really comes into play.

After removing the fiberglass shell entirely and disposing of it offsite, we broke up the surrounding concrete patio that covered the rest of the back yard.

We brought in clean compactable fill material and brought the back yard to grade.  Our client opted to have us stop at this point.  She wanted to get a feel for the backyard and determine what she wanted to do next.  Lawn, extend the patio, planting beds?  With the pool removed, her backyard looked as though it had doubled in size.

If you’re in the greater Denver or Chicago areas please contact us to discuss your pool removal options.

America’s #1 Source for Pool Removals

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