Tommy's Backyard

Tommy’s Backyard: Crafting Outdoor Spaces Since 2008

Tommy’s Backyard is a family run business that sprung to life in early 2008 with what else……..Tommy’s own backyard!

 

Hello, my name is Tom, my friends and family call me Tommy. I am a lifelong Floridian and a native of Jacksonville, yes, there are natives of Jacksonville!

 I am not big on being in-doors, why wouldnt I be? I live in Florida!

 

When I’m not on the water fishing, on the golf course, working on your project, or coaching Little League baseball, you will find me in my backyard. I’m usually cooking, hanging out in the pool, watching a ball game in the summer kitchen, maybe even doing some new product design… that is code for building something cool for the wife.

 

In early 2008 I built a new home and wanted to make an outdoor space as a gathering point for friends and family. I didn’t want the run of the mill wood deck, gas grill, pop up tent type thing but something real and beautiful that would stand for time….and hold up to FL hurricanes!

That’s what I did; I built a screen room, pool, pool deck, fire pit, summer kitchen, fire place area with all the bells and whistles. During the quest for a cool back yard I found that this project wasn’t as much work as it was fun, challenging, but fun! Much more fun than working than the IT field, and I was able to be outside.

As we started to enjoy the space with kindergarten graduation celebrations, soccer/baseball team banquets and football viewing parties, there was always a central theme at the end of the event…..                                          “I want Tommy’s backyard!”

There you have it Tommy’s backyard was born.                                We’ll sort of.

Yes, I had all the partners and resources to build my own backyard I even started selling outdoor grill equipment, However, did I have the knowledge to be successful in building something cool for someone else?                                  In comes fate.

 

Did I mention the IT gig I had for 30  years?            No I didnt… because the big down turn of 2013 eliminated that but that is another story.

Knowing building outdoor spaces was a passion of mine, I wanted to see if I can bring these creations to other families , and backyard enthusiast, I needed  to hone my skills on design and the hardscape aspects of the business, I partnered with my father in law who owned a very successful paver and hardscape business for the past 15 years.

Under his tutelage I studied and learned the ins and outs of the business from project engineering, craftsmanship, and construction deadlines.

After the 1st year I had stacked and re stacked 100’s of pallets of pavers, wall block, lugged poly sand from place to place, and chalked up 50,000 miles dragging material all over town.                                This was called starting at the bottom.

The next couple of years I took on more roles within his company, project management, sales, scheduling, design, paying bills,ect  to the point I was running the fun side of the business.

With retirement on the horizon for my father in law, we agreed on a healthy mutual separation and Tommy’s Backyard became, a reality.

Now you have my story.

I look forward to meeting and educating you on the process and materials that go into creating a beautiful Backyard project.

Psst….We do front yards too 🙂

Tommy