We hired a contractor to come save our back yard from weed invasion and turn it into a comfortable place to relax. We had the terrace leveled, the retaining wall cleaned and extended, a paver patio put in, a french drain installed, and concrete stairs poured up to the patio. Over the next year or so, we'll be planting some arborvitae to add some privacy, adding raised planters on the terrace for a garden, and possibly adding a small shed.