What to know before starting your next outdoor living project.
The weather is beautiful, and you’re dreaming of your perfect outdoor space. But if you start now, would it be done in time to enjoy before the winter?
1. An outdoor project takes time.
Some may assume that just because an outdoor space doesn’t have four walls & a roof, it doesn’t take as much time as renovating an interior design space. However, there is still a lot of decisions to be made and processes to work through in order to begin construction. Give yourself time to make decisions and plan for your new space. Don’t forget to allot extra time for weather fluctuation & dependency. Especially in NE Ohio! Keep in mind that your outdoor space may take a minimum of 8 months to complete from the start of Phase 1 to the end of Phase 4.
PHASE 1: DESIGN DISCOVERY
1-2 months – Dream, collaborate, research, & quote.
PHASE 2: DETAILED DESIGN
4-5 months – Fine-tune layout & material selection.
PHASE 3: PRE-CONSTRUCTION
2-3 months – Preparation of materials & permits.
PHASE 4: TRANSFORMATIVE CONSTRUCTION
1-6 months – Renovation, transformation, & creation.
2. You will be making a lot of decisions.
From the overarching vision to nitty gritty details. You’ll be making a lot of decisions! Not only about what you are envisioning, but about all the materials that will be used in order to bring that vision to life. To help get an idea of everything you may want to consider adding, we’ve created this list for you to go through:
Covered Areas
- Roof
- Awning
- Full
- Partial
- Four Season Room
Decking
- Wood
- Trex
- Railings
- Spindles
- Stairs
- Upper Deck
- Mid Deck
- Lower Deck
Concrete
- Color
- Stamped
- Poured
- Textured
- Pathway
- Patio
- Under a deck
Water Features
- Fountain
- Pool
- Pond
- Hot Tub
- Cold Plunge
- Pool Shed
- Sauna
- Sprinklers
- Waterfall
- Filteration
- Salt
- Chlorine
- Water Plants
- Fish / Animals
Fire Features
- Gas
- Wood
- Built in Fireplace
- Stand-alone Fireplace
- Fire pit
- Pizza Oven
- Concrete
- Stone
- Brick
Privacy Walls
- Wood
- Trex
- Pre-fab
- Stone
- Trees
- Surrounding
- Half-walls
- Awning
- Location
Landscaping
- Native plants
- Flowers
- Bushes
- Trees
- All Seasons
- Mulch
- River rock
- Stone
- Annuals
- Perennials
- Water flow & Drainage
Lighting
- Lanterns
- Hanging lights
- Pathway lights
- Spotlights
- Torches
- Garden lights
- Dimmable
- Color changing
- Power source
- Solar lights
TV / Lounge Area
- Chairs
- Couches
- Sitting arrangement
- Bar
- Appliances
- Tables
- Outlets
Kitchen
- Countertop
- Appliances
- Finishes
- Floor plan
- Storage
- Electric or Gas
- Grill
- Blacktop
- Smoker
- Sink
- Prep Areas
- Dining Area
Heating Elements
- Gas Fireplace
- Wood Fireplace
- Electric heaters
- Heated Floors
- Heated Pool
Closures
- Glass Doors
- Accordion Doors
- Patio Doors
- French Doors
- Screen Doors
- Fences
- Gates
Depending on the project, there may be better options for different people to serve you depending on what you are looking for. Do you want to DIY the project yourself? Maybe design it yourself, hire & manage different contractors? Or are you looking for a service-based company to assist you throughout the design & construction process? There may be perks to each direction depending on what you are comfortable with doing, and the time commitment you’re willing devote to your project.
3. Decide who you are going to work with.
Depending on the project, there may be better options for different people to serve you depending on what you are looking for. Do you want to DIY the project yourself? Maybe design it yourself, hire & manage different contractors? Or are you looking for a service-based company to assist you throughout the design & construction process? There may be perks to each direction depending on what you are comfortable with doing, and the time commitment you’re willing devote to your project.
4. Check for potential restrictions.
If you plan on DIYing the project, or managing your contractors, you will need to contact the city to see if there are any zoning regulations, permits, or any inspections that may be needed before beginning the work. If there is digging involved, you’ll need to call 811 and request the location of underground facilities near your proposed digging site. This is not a suggestion; it is a requirement by Ohio law! You will also need to get in touch with your neighborhood to make sure there isn’t any specific restrictions or regulations listed in the HOA’s rules. If you plan on hiring a Design-Build company, they will take care of all zoning, permits, regulations & digging concerns for you.
Conclusion
Starting any home project can be overwhelming. It is important to know the beginning decisions that need to be made as well as the long term steps to make your project happen. If you plan on DIYing your outdoor space, or designing & managing it, we would recommend bookmarking this page so when you’re ready to start you have a reference point to jump off from! If you would prefer to cast the vision & hand off the reigns for someone trusted to walk your throguh the design & construction process we would love to assist you!
