Planning
Creating a Complete Patio or Deck Project Scope
Start with Perspective
As you begin planning, it’s important to remember that today's outdoor living spaces involve so much more than just a patio or deck. These spaces are often the outdoor equivalent of multiple rooms of your home and include many (if not all) of the same features and utilities.
Get Started by Building
A Complete Scope
Your first step in planning an outdoor remodeling project should be to create a complete scope. Along with deciding on what features to include, you must also identify all of the additional construction items required to have those features built and functioning properly.
Getting Organized
To organize the many components and trades required for your project, we find it helpful to divide the project scope into the following categories:
Includes structures like the patio, walls, pillars, walkways, outdoor kitchen, fire features, and steps down from the house.
Includes features such as a deck, porch, pavilion, pergola, arbor, and decorative screens.
Includes landscaping, lighting, water features, and lawn repair after construction.
Do not forget to plan and budget for appliances and technology. These items often cost as much as (or more than) the structures that hold them.
Electrical, gas, and plumbing are required for appliances and technology. Irrigation usually must be adjusted and expanded.
Includes demolition, tree removal, excavation, soil hauling, rough & final grading, and drainage.
Consider This Example
At first glance, this elegant space may not seem too involved, but its detailed scope reveals a complex project with 16 components.
Natural Stone Patio
Sitting Walls
Fireplace
Firewood Boxes
Fire Pit Structure
Fire Pit Gas Burner, Vents and Logs
Outdoor Kitchen
Grill and Cabinetry
Gas Line (Grill & Fire Pit)
Electrical (Kitchen & Additional)
Landscaping & Boulders
Irrigation
Stepping Stone Walkway
Low Voltage Lighting
Grading & Drainage
Sod Finish
Budgeting for Your Swimming Pool Project: A Detailed Breakdown
Budgeting for Your Swimming Pool Project: A Detailed Breakdown
In this guide, we’ll break down the various elements that contribute to the total cost of a pool project—from structural engineering to landscaping—so you can see how each part contributes to creating a stunning, long-lasting pool environment.