Transform Your Outdoors with the Best Outdoor Living Space Contractor

Benefits of Outdoor Living

When it's time to upgrade your outdoor space there is a lot to think about. An outdoor living space upgrade can enhance your home’s exterior adding value to your home, all while giving you more space to spend time with friends and family.

With there being so many pieces to a full outdoor update, you may want to consider using a local contractor and/or designer to help plan and execute your project. In this post, we'll tell you everything you need to know when hiring a contractor (especially when it comes to outdoor living spaces!)

Designing Your Dream Outdoor Space

Before getting into the building, the first step is design: Designing your dream space should be fun and exciting. Think of all of the things you'd like to include in your outdoor living space. This can be ANYTHING! You're dreaming after all. Once you have your dream list of items, you can consult with a contractor to figure out what those dream items might cost to procure and install in your space.

Some contractors can also help with the design process, while others just focus on execution. Understand the capabilities of the contractor you're hiring, and if you need specialized help, a landscape architect or design consultant might be worth talking to help you realize the vision of your outdoor living space.

Choosing the Right Contractor

Look for a licensed and insured contractor with experience in designing and building custom outdoor living spaces. Ask to see some of the contractor's previous work to see the types of materials they us and the finished look of the types of work they do; This should give you a good idea if the contractor and their team will be a good fit for your project.

Do your research. Check to see if the contractor has any online reviews (or if they have won any awards). Don't just look around online - ask around with family and friends and see if they've used any local contractors and what their experience was.

Outdoor Remodeling Services

Contractors offer many services, but not all contractors can do everything. Depending on the size and scope of your project, you may also need to work with multiple specialized contractors.

Some typical services offered by contractors:

• Outdoor kitchen design and installation

• Patio and deck building and remodeling

• Fire pit and outdoor fireplace installation

• Water feature design and installation

• Custom outdoor living space design and building

• Landscape lighting design and installation

Custom Outdoor Features

There are a lot of fixtures and features to consider for your outdoor project. Just in case you need a little inspiration, here are a few features to consider:

• Outdoor kitchens with appliances and countertops

• Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces for warmth and ambiance

• Patio covers and ceiling fans for shade and comfort

• Outdoor furniture is crucial for both comfort and style.

• Water features, such as pools, ponds and fountains, for a peaceful atmosphere

• Custom outdoor lighting and electrical work

Professional Contractor vs DIY

A common question that comes up when researching contractors is "should I just do it myself?"; and, as it is with most questions like this, the answer is: It depends.

DIY is a great direction to save money and make sure the project moves forward on your own terms. But ultimately (unless you're quite the handyman) hiring a contractor will usually ensure that everything goes quickly and smoothly, and more importantly, is safe and up to code.

Especially when erecting outdoor living structures or doing anything complicated with electrical systems, a professional contractor will make sure everything meets local building codes, and make sure only the best materials are used, all while ensuring a smooth and stress-free process.

It's not an either/or decision though: You can parse it out so that you handle some parts of the project DIY, and then hire a contractor for any aspects that are out of your depth or skillset. Contractors can often provide more tailored and custom solutions than most of us can achieve on our own.

Creating Functional Outdoor Living Spaces

As you work to design your outdoor living space, and work with your contractor to build it, there are several things to keep in mind to ensure the outdoor living space functions optimally.

Communicate clearly: When working with a contractor, it's important to communicate about expectations and desires as early on in the process as possible, so that everyone is on the same page about what's being built, what it's for, and how it will be constructed. Err on the side of overcommunication rather than making assumptions.

Understand the safety procedures for potentially dangerous elements: When it comes to fire, heat, running water, and electronics, the possibility of something going wrong increases exponentially once we're talking about being exposed to the elements and outdoors. Ask your contractor about best practices, especially for things like outdoor kitchens and fire pits.

Understand the quality of the materials being used: Is it going to hold up over the years and year-round in different weather? How much maintenance do the materials require to ensure that they don't deteriorate? High quality, low maintenance materials affords you more time enjoying your outdoor space and less time taking care of it.

Getting Started on Your Project

So, how will this all work? Here is a quick look at the typical process of working with a local professional contractor.

Step 1: Schedule an initial consultation with a professional contractor.

Step 2: Discuss your vision and goals for your outdoor living space.

Step 3: Receive a custom design and estimate for your project.

Step 4: Work closely with your contractor to bring your vision to life.

Step 5: Enjoy the process of creating your dream outdoor living space.

This should be a fun and exciting time, as you're updating and upgrading your overall living space with really cool stuff!

Enjoying Your New Outdoor Space

Now that all of the planning and hard work is done, it is time to relax and entertain in your new outdoor living oasis! Take advantage of the outdoors and enjoy nature in your new outdoor space. Create lasting memories with family and friends, all the while enjoying the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have a well built, functional, and stylish outdoor living space.