Booking Your Build: Why the Best Contractors Are Booked by February
There is a predictable rhythm to the landscaping industry in Toronto.
November: The smart homeowners book their consultations.
January: The designs are finalized and permits are submitted.
April: The phone starts ringing off the hook.
Here is the hard truth that most homeowners don’t realize until it’s too late: By the time the snow melts in April, the best landscaping companies in Toronto are already 80-90% booked for the entire year.
If you are hoping to swim in your new pool or host a dinner party on your new patio in Summer 2026, the window to secure a top-tier contractor is closing faster than you think. Here is the math behind the scarcity.
The Mathematics of a Toronto Summer
High-end landscape construction isn't like ordering furniture; it takes time.
The Season: We effectively have a 28-week build season (May to November).
The Project: A typical luxury backyard renovation takes 4 to 6 weeks to build.
The Capacity: A quality-focused firm like Tekton runs a limited number of specialized crews. We don't sub-contract to random laborers just to take on more work.
Do the math: One crew can only physically complete about 5 to 6 major projects in a year. If a firm has three crews, that is only ~15 "Prime Slots" available for the entire city of Toronto.
Once those 15 slots are filled with contracts signed in the winter, the schedule is closed.
The "April Call" Trap
Every year, we receive dozens of inquiries in late April from homeowners who just realized the weather is turning nice. "Can you start in June?" they ask.
Unfortunately, the answer is almost always "No."
By April, our "Build Queue" is typically full until September. Homeowners who wait until spring to start the conversation are often left with two unappealing options:
Wait until the Fall: You spend another summer staring at a construction site or a mud pit.
Hire the "B-Team": You are forced to hire a less experienced contractor who has availability because they lack the reputation or demand of the top firms. (Warning: This usually leads to budget overruns and poor workmanship).
The "Hidden" Delays You Can’t Control
Even if we did have an open slot in June, the paperwork would likely stop us from starting.
City Permits: Toronto building permits and zoning certificates are currently taking 6–10 weeks to process.
Conservation Authorities: If you are near a ravine (TRCA land), approvals can take 3+ months.
Material Lead Times: Custom limestone and high-end pool equipment often have 8-week delivery windows.
By signing your contract in the winter, we use the freezing months to battle the bureaucracy. We secure the permits and order the materials while the ground is still frozen, so we are ready to dig the moment the frost lifts.
How to Secure Your Slot for 2026
You don't need to have every detail figured out today, but you do need to get into the system.
Phase 1: The Design Slot (Now) Book your consultation. Let’s get the concept on paper.
Phase 2: The Contract (January/February) Once the design is approved, we sign a construction agreement. This is the golden ticket. It guarantees your place in our 2026 schedule.
Phase 3: The Build (Spring/Summer) While your neighbors are frantically Googling contractors in May, you will be watching your project break ground.
Don't Miss the 2026 Season
Scarcity is real in this industry. The best landscaping companies in Toronto cap their project load to ensure quality control.
If you want Tekton quality, you need to beat the April rush.
Check our 2026 Availability Here and book your consultation before the schedule fills up.