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:
Hardscapes
Includes structures like the patio, walls, pillars, walkways, outdoor kitchen, fire features, and steps down from the house.
Carpentry
Includes features such as a deck, porch, pavilion, pergola, arbor, and decorative screens.
Softscapes
Includes landscaping, lighting, water features, and lawn repair after construction.
Appliances & Technology
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.
Utilities
Electrical, gas, and plumbing are required for appliances and technology. Irrigation usually must be adjusted and expanded.
Site Work
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.
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Natural Stone Patio
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Sitting Walls
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Fireplace
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Firewood Boxes
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Fire Pit Structure
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Fire Pit Gas Burner, Vents and Logs
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Outdoor Kitchen
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Grill and Cabinetry
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Gas Line (Grill & Fire Pit)
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Electrical (Kitchen & Additional)
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Landscaping & Boulders
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Irrigation
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Stepping Stone Walkway
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Low Voltage Lighting
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Grading & Drainage
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Sod Finish
Estimating Third-Party Designs
Estimating Third-Party Designs
At Outdoor Dreams, we occasionally receive inquiries from homeowners or designers asking if we can provide an estimate based on plans that have already been developed by another architect, landscape architect, or designer. While the answer is yes, it’s important to understand that our approach is different from a traditional contractor's—and it comes with a $1,500 fee. Here's why...