Before You Start
1〕Property Plat Analysis: Obtain and dissect your property survey, which serves as the official delineation of your property boundaries, easements, setbacks, and pertinent property restrictions. This critical information may influence the design trajectory of your project and is often a prerequisite for Homeowner Association (HOA) and building permit applications.
2〕Architectural Documentation: Collate any existing architectural blueprints about your residence. These documents are invaluable references for your designer, facilitating the seamless integration or enhancement of your home's prevailing materials and architectural intricacies.
3〕Homeowner Association (HOA) Guidelines Review: If your property falls under the purview of an HOA, meticulously examine its design regulations to ascertain their implications for your proposed project. Familiarize yourself with the requisite procedures for seeking approval and anticipate the potential duration of this process.
4〕Reference Imagery: Dedicate time to curate a collection of inspirational imagery showcasing outdoor projects that resonate with your preferences or conversely those you wish to avoid. Utilizing platforms such as pinterest, instagram, facebook and our project portfolio can assist in visually articulating your conceptual ideas to your designer.
Discover
Your Property
Gathering all documentation on your property to review relevant easements or building code constraints is essential. Your designer should also document the property's topography [grade map], allowing them to create a design that properly accounts for existing slopes. Identifying these at the outset will prevent designing a space that cannot be built.
Create A Complete
Project Scope
Planning starts with perspective. The first step to planning an outdoor remodeling project should be creating a complete scope. Along with deciding on what features to include, you must also identify all of the additional items required to build and function those features properly.
Setting Expectations
Your project's design will directly impact the value and enjoyment your outdoors brings to your home. Projects designed using a structured process led by a qualified designer create lasting value for their owners.
- Consider what is most essential to your outdoor space.
- Outline a budget you are comfortable to work with.
- Design for phases if budget restraints arise.
Discover Your Style
The designed space should reflect your style and preferences. Many homeowners don't know their style, and those who do typically do not know how to translate it to their outdoor space. Because of this, your designer should have a dedicated process for discovering your distinct style preferences. This ensures that the design will be a space created to reflect you!
Timeline & Budget
Establishing a realistic project timeline is an important step in the construction process. This includes allocating time for conceptual planning, detailed scheduling, and the construction phase itself. Depending on the scope and complexity, a typical project may take approximately 3–6 months to complete.
Strategic Collaboration
It is also helpful to approach a project with multiple perspectives. Involving a spouse, friend, or family member can provide additional insight during the early stages of planning. For more complex or highly detailed projects, engaging a professional team can help ensure that all aspects from design to execution are carefully coordinated and managed.
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