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Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners across Northern Utah County and Southern Salt Lake County create outdoor living spaces built for relaxing, gathering, cooking, entertaining, shade, comfort, and long-term use. Whether you want a new deck, a pergola, a patio cover, a covered outdoor area, an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit, or a more complete backyard gathering space, we help you plan an outdoor project that fits your home and the way your family wants to use the property.
Founded in 1980 by Scott Cleverly and now owned and operated by his son, Shannon Cleverly, Cedar Grove Construction brings over 40 years of experience in home building, remodeling, renovations, restorations, and major residential improvements throughout Utah County and Salt Lake County.
A good outdoor living space should feel connected to the home, comfortable to use, and built for Utah weather. We help homeowners think through layout, materials, structure, shade, access, drainage, permits, and how the finished space should work from season to season.
Utah homes have a natural advantage: outdoor space can become one of the most enjoyable parts of the property.
But too often, the backyard is underused. There may be a basic concrete patio with no shade. A deck may be aging, undersized, or disconnected from the way the family uses the yard. The sun may make the space uncomfortable during the day. The patio may not have enough room for seating, cooking, or entertaining. Or the backyard may have potential, but no clear plan tying the deck, patio, shade, landscaping, and gathering areas together.
Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners turn that unused potential into outdoor space that feels intentional.
A well-planned outdoor living project can make the home feel larger, more comfortable, and more connected to the property. It should account for sun exposure, views, privacy, access from the home, outdoor seating, shade, grade, drainage, materials, and how the space will be used through Utah’s changing seasons.
The goal is not just to build something outside. The goal is to create a place your family actually wants to use.
Outdoor living projects can look simple at first, but good results depend on planning, structure, materials, and connection to the home.
Decks need proper framing, footings, railings, stairs, attachment details, and materials that hold up. Pergolas and patio covers need to be planned around shade, rooflines, snow load, wind exposure, drainage, and the way they connect to the house or yard. Patios, hardscaping, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and gathering areas need to be planned around circulation, seating, utilities, drainage, safety, and long-term durability.
Cedar Grove Construction was founded in 1980 by Scott Cleverly and is now owned and operated by Shannon Cleverly. As a family-owned and operated business, Cedar Grove has spent more than 40 years helping homeowners with home building, remodeling, renovations, restorations, additions, and major residential projects throughout Utah County and Salt Lake County.
That experience matters when an outdoor project needs to connect correctly to the home and property. Cedar Grove Construction is built around honesty, detail, care, and lasting results.
Some homeowners know exactly what they want: a deck, pergola, patio cover, or covered patio. Others know the backyard is not working, but they are not sure which project will solve the problem.
A sunny patio may need a cover or pergola. A sloped yard may need a deck or tiered layout. A backyard used for entertaining may need better seating, lighting, shade, and access from the kitchen or living area. A family that cooks outside may need an outdoor kitchen or grill station. A yard that feels disconnected may need a plan that ties the deck, patio, fire pit, and gathering areas together.
Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners think through the real purpose of the outdoor space before the project begins.
The right outdoor living project should support the way you actually want to use the backyard.
Not every outdoor living project needs the same scope. Some homeowners need one focused improvement. Others need a more complete backyard plan.
An existing deck may need to be replaced, expanded, reworked, or upgraded with better stairs, railings, materials, access, or layout. A new deck can improve the way the home connects to the backyard and create a more comfortable space for dining, grilling, relaxing, or gathering.
A pergola can define an outdoor seating area, add architectural character, create partial shade, and make a basic patio or deck feel more finished. Pergolas work especially well when the backyard needs structure and comfort without fully enclosing the space.
A patio cover can make the backyard more usable during hot afternoons, light weather, and everyday outdoor use. A covered outdoor area may connect directly to the home or become part of a larger backyard gathering space.
This may include a deck, patio, pergola, seating area, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, lighting, hardscaping, and pathways designed to work together.
A larger project may connect the home to the backyard through a deck, covered patio, outdoor kitchen, fire feature, hardscape areas, seating walls, and a more complete property plan.
Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners define the right level of project based on the home, lot, budget, use, and long-term goals.
Outdoor materials should be chosen for the way the space will look, perform, age, and be maintained.
For decks, homeowners may consider wood decking, composite decking, different railing systems, stair materials, fascia details, and lighting options. Each choice affects appearance, maintenance, durability, and budget. Wood can offer a classic look, while composite materials can reduce maintenance needs and provide a more consistent surface over time.
For pergolas and patio covers, material and design choices affect shade, structure, appearance, and long-term performance. A pergola may be designed for partial shade and architectural definition, while a covered patio may need a more complete roof structure, posts, drainage, gutters, lighting, and a stronger connection to the home.
Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners think through material options based on sun exposure, snow, moisture, maintenance expectations, budget, and the style of the home. The goal is to choose materials that make sense for the project, not just materials that look good on a sample board.
A deck is more than the surface people walk on. The structure underneath matters.
A well-built deck needs the right footing plan, framing layout, beams, joists, ledger or attachment details, stairs, railings, fasteners, drainage planning, and material choices. The height of the deck, connection to the home, stair layout, railing requirements, and exposure to weather can all affect how the project should be built.
Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners think through the details that affect long-term deck performance, including:
A deck should feel good on the day it is finished, but it should also be planned for years of use, weather, movement, and daily wear.
The strongest outdoor living projects begin with a plan that matches the home and the way the backyard will be used.
Important planning questions include:
Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners think through these details before construction begins so the finished space feels comfortable, durable, and connected.
Every outdoor living project is different. The right plan depends on the home, property, yard layout, sun exposure, grade, access, materials, drainage, and how the space will be used.
A deck can create a comfortable transition between the home and the yard. It may serve as a dining area, seating area, grill space, gathering place, or elevated outdoor room.
Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners plan decks around size, access, stairs, railings, views, privacy, shade, traffic flow, door placement, and how the deck connects to the rest of the yard. The structure, materials, and layout should all support long-term use.
A well-designed deck should feel like it belongs with the home. It should be easy to access, comfortable to use, and built with attention to safety, durability, and everyday function.
If an existing deck is aging, undersized, poorly laid out, or no longer safe, replacement may be the right path. A new deck can improve appearance, function, access, safety, and the overall feel of the backyard.
Deck upgrades may include new decking materials, railings, stairs, larger layouts, better transitions, shade features, lighting, or improved connection to patios and outdoor gathering areas.
Replacing or upgrading a deck can also be a good time to rethink how the backyard works as a whole. The best deck layout should support seating, walking paths, grilling, privacy, views, and connection to nearby outdoor features.
A pergola can make an outdoor area feel more intentional. It defines space, adds shade, creates visual interest, and helps turn a basic patio or deck into a place people want to sit and gather.
Pergolas should be planned around sun exposure, orientation, seating, materials, attachment points, style, and how much shade the homeowner actually wants. A pergola can stand alone or work with a larger deck, patio, or hardscape plan.
The right pergola can give the backyard more structure without making the area feel closed off. It can help create a defined outdoor room while still keeping the open-air feel that many homeowners want.
A patio cover can make a backyard much more usable. Shade and overhead protection can help the space feel comfortable during hot afternoons, light weather, and everyday outdoor use.
Patio covers and covered patios should be planned around rooflines, drainage, posts, support, snow load, lighting, gutters, connection to the home, and how the covered area will be used. A well-planned cover should look like it belongs with the house, not like it was added as an afterthought.
Covered patios can be especially useful when homeowners want a more reliable outdoor area for seating, dining, grilling, or entertaining. They can also help create a smoother connection between the indoor living areas and the backyard.
Hardscaping can help organize the backyard and create durable outdoor living areas. This may include patios, walkways, seating areas, retaining or seat walls, paver areas, stone features, and transitions between decks, lawns, gardens, and gathering spaces.
Hardscaping should be planned around grade, drainage, foot traffic, seating, access, and long-term maintenance. It works best when it supports the overall outdoor living design instead of feeling like a separate project.
A good patio or hardscape area can give the backyard structure, define gathering spaces, and create durable surfaces for furniture, cooking, fire features, and everyday use.
An outdoor kitchen or grill area can make the backyard more useful for entertaining and everyday meals. Depending on the project, this may include a built-in grill, counter space, storage, prep area, seating, lighting, electrical planning, gas planning, and connection to the patio or deck.
Outdoor kitchens should be planned around cooking flow, weather exposure, ventilation, durable materials, utility needs, and how people will gather around the space.
The best outdoor kitchen areas are convenient, durable, and connected to the way the family actually entertains. They should feel like part of the outdoor living space, not a disconnected feature in the corner of the yard.
A fire pit or fire feature can give the backyard a natural gathering point. It can help extend outdoor use into cooler evenings and create a more inviting place for family and friends.
Fire features should be planned around seating, safety, clearance, fuel type, wind exposure, surrounding materials, and how the space connects to the rest of the yard.
When paired with a patio, deck, pergola, or outdoor seating area, a fire feature installed by Cedar Grove Construction can help make the backyard feel more complete.
Outdoor living projects often connect to other parts of the home. A kitchen remodel may lead to better backyard access. A home addition may open onto a covered patio. A basement walkout may connect to a lower patio, deck, or gathering area. A whole home remodel may include a more complete plan for indoor-outdoor living.
As a general contractor, Cedar Grove Construction can help coordinate outdoor living work as part of a broader home improvement plan.
Outdoor living projects should be planned with local requirements in mind.
A ground-level patio may have different requirements than a raised deck, attached patio cover, roof structure, electrical lighting plan, gas line, retaining wall, or outdoor kitchen. Requirements vary by city, property, attachment method, height, size, utilities, structural design, and scope.
Important planning details may include:
Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners identify which parts of the project may need review before the design is finalized, so the outdoor living space is planned correctly before the work begins.
Founded in 1980, Cedar Grove Construction has served homeowners in Utah County and Salt Lake County for over 40 years. That long history includes home building, remodeling, renovations, restorations, additions, outdoor improvements, and major residential projects.
Cedar Grove Construction was founded by Scott Cleverly and is now owned and operated by his son, Shannon Cleverly. The company carries forward a family standard of honesty, detail, care, and lasting results.
Outdoor living should not feel disconnected from the house. Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners think through access, shade, seating, cooking, views, privacy, traffic flow, drainage, materials, and how the outdoor space will be used.
Outdoor living projects can involve framing, concrete, hardscaping, roofing, railings, stairs, lighting, gas lines, electrical work, drainage, and finish details. Cedar Grove Construction can coordinate the project as a complete improvement.
An outdoor living space should look good, but it also needs to work. Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners think through seating, shade, cooking, entertaining, privacy, views, traffic flow, drainage, and long-term use.
Outdoor construction affects the yard, driveway, landscaping, access, pets, children, and daily routines. Cedar Grove Construction focuses on clear communication, realistic expectations, respectful work practices, and a smoother process.
Outdoor living spaces need to handle real conditions: sun, snow, wind, freeze-thaw cycles, heat, moisture, and everyday use.
Material choices matter. Decking, railing, framing, posts, fasteners, roofing, pavers, stone, concrete, lighting, and outdoor kitchen materials all affect long-term performance and maintenance. A material that looks good on day one still needs to make sense after years of sun exposure, snow, foot traffic, and seasonal changes.
Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners consider durability, maintenance, appearance, budget, and how the space will be used. The goal is to build an outdoor living area that looks good and holds up.
Ask us about material options, maintenance expectations, and workmanship or warranty details for your specific outdoor living project.
Outdoor living costs vary widely because the scope can range from a focused deck or pergola to a larger backyard transformation.
A small pergola will not be priced the same as a large deck, covered patio, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, hardscape area, lighting plan, and multi-zone backyard gathering space.
Common cost factors include:
The best way to understand cost is to review the property, define how the space will be used, and build a scope around the actual project.
Timelines depend on the project type, size, materials, permits, inspections, weather, site conditions, structural complexity, and whether the project includes utilities, hardscaping, or multiple outdoor features.
A focused deck, pergola, or patio cover may move more quickly than a larger outdoor living project with hardscaping, an outdoor kitchen, fire feature, lighting, and several connected areas.
During the consultation and planning process, Cedar Grove Construction can review the property and help set a realistic timeline based on the actual scope.
A successful outdoor living space should feel comfortable, useful, durable, and connected to the home.
The project should be planned around how the space will actually be used: relaxing, dining, cooking, entertaining, shade, family time, views, privacy, or year-round enjoyment.
The best outdoor spaces feel like a natural extension of the house. Door locations, kitchen access, stairs, traffic flow, covered areas, and sightlines all matter.
Sun exposure can determine whether a deck or patio gets used. Pergolas, patio covers, roof structures, privacy elements, and orientation should be planned with comfort in mind.
Outdoor structures need to hold up to weather, weight, movement, and use. Framing, footings, fasteners, railings, posts, drainage, and material choices all matter.
A good backyard layout makes room for seating, cooking, walking, gathering, and moving between zones without feeling crowded or awkward.
Railings, stairs, trim, lighting, transitions, stonework, pavers, built-ins, and finish details affect how polished the outdoor living space feels.
Cedar Grove Construction builds outdoor living spaces throughout Northern Utah County and Southern Salt Lake County.
In newer-growth areas like Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, Lehi, Herriman, and South Jordan, outdoor living projects often focus on making newer homes feel more complete: larger decks, covered patios, pergolas, shade, backyard gathering areas, outdoor kitchens, and more usable family space.
In established and higher-finish areas like Draper, Sandy, Alpine, Highland, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Midvale, and Cottonwood Heights, projects may focus on replacing older decks, upgrading outdoor finishes, improving views, creating higher-end covered patios, adding fire features, or tying the backyard into a larger remodel.
Whether the project is a focused deck or a more complete outdoor living plan, the space should fit the home, the property, and the way the family wants to use it.
A successful outdoor living space should feel comfortable, useful, durable, and connected to the home.
The project should be planned around how the space will actually be used: relaxing, dining, cooking, entertaining, shade, family time, views, privacy, or year-round enjoyment.
The best outdoor spaces feel like a natural extension of the house. Door locations, kitchen access, stairs, traffic flow, covered areas, and sightlines all matter.
Sun exposure can determine whether a deck or patio gets used. Pergolas, patio covers, roof structures, privacy elements, and orientation should be planned with comfort in mind.
Outdoor structures need to hold up to weather, weight, movement, and use. Framing, footings, fasteners, railings, posts, drainage, and material choices all matter.
A good backyard layout makes room for seating, cooking, walking, gathering, and moving between zones without feeling crowded or awkward.
Railings, stairs, trim, lighting, transitions, stonework, pavers, built-ins, and finish details affect how polished the outdoor living space feels.
My family is so very happy with the work that Cedar Grove did. They were incredibly patient with us while we were awaiting a transfer of title and when they got started, they worked hard and as fast as they could. Never met nicer people than Scott and Shannon and their people, considerate, responsible and kind. We highly recommend them for any and all work in home construction and remodel. They deserve a 20... a 10 does not seem high enough praise.
An outdoor living project may connect to other improvements throughout the home or property. Cedar Grove Construction can also help with:
When the kitchen connects to outdoor dining or entertaining
When the home opens onto a new covered patio, deck, or backyard living area
When outdoor living is part of a larger renovation
Cedar Grove Construction builds decks, pergolas, patio covers, and outdoor living spaces throughout Northern Utah County and Southern Salt Lake County.
Our outdoor living service area includes Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, Lehi, Alpine, Highland, Cedar Hills, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Draper, Bluffdale, Herriman, Riverton, South Jordan, Sandy, Midvale, Cottonwood Heights, and nearby communities.
Instead of trying to serve every part of Utah, Cedar Grove Construction focuses on the communities where we can provide responsive service, careful planning, and dependable construction for homeowners who want their outdoor project done right.
Take a look at recent outdoor living projects completed by Cedar Grove Construction to see the quality, craftsmanship, and design detail we bring to every home.
Cedar Grove Construction builds outdoor living spaces including custom decks, deck replacements, pergolas, patio covers, covered patios, hardscaping, patios, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, seating areas, and backyard gathering spaces.
Yes. Cedar Grove Construction builds custom decks for homeowners who want better outdoor access, seating, gathering space, grilling areas, views, or a stronger connection between the home and backyard.
Yes. Cedar Grove Construction builds pergolas, patio covers, and covered outdoor areas. These projects should be planned around shade, structure, rooflines, drainage, snow load, attachment points, and how the space will be used.
Decking and railing options may include wood, composite decking, different railing styles, stair materials, fascia details, and lighting options. The right choice depends on appearance, maintenance expectations, budget, durability, and how the outdoor space will be used.
Permit requirements vary by city, property, structure type, height, attachment method, roof cover, and project scope. Decks, attached patio covers, roof structures, electrical work, gas lines, and larger structural projects may require permits or inspections. Cedar Grove Construction helps homeowners think through permit-related needs early.
Yes. Outdoor kitchens and grill areas can be included as part of an outdoor living project. These may involve counters, built-in grills, storage, seating, lighting, electrical planning, gas planning, and durable outdoor materials.
Yes. Fire pits and fire features can be part of an outdoor living plan. They should be planned around seating, safety, clearance, fuel type, wind exposure, surrounding materials, and how the space connects to the rest of the yard.
Cost depends on the size of the project, materials, deck structure, pergola or patio cover design, railing and stairs, hardscaping, grading, drainage, lighting, outdoor kitchen features, fire features, utilities, permits, and whether the project connects to a larger remodel.
Timelines depend on project size, materials, permits, inspections, weather, site conditions, structural complexity, utilities, and whether the work includes multiple features such as decks, patio covers, hardscaping, lighting, outdoor kitchens, or fire pits.
Cedar Grove Construction builds decks, pergolas, patio covers, covered patios, hardscaping, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and backyard gathering areas throughout Northern Utah County and Southern Salt Lake County, including Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, Lehi, Alpine, Highland, Cedar Hills, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Draper, Bluffdale, Herriman, Riverton, South Jordan, Sandy, Midvale, Cottonwood Heights, and nearby communities.
Your kitchen should make your home easier to live in every day. Whether you want updated cabinets, new countertops, better lighting, more storage, a larger island, improved flow, new flooring, tile, appliance changes, or a complete kitchen transformation, Cedar Grove Construction can help you understand the next step.
Tell us what is not working in your kitchen now. We will help you think through the project and decide the best path forward.
