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
Cascading Curves - A Case Study
Cascading Curves - A Case Study
This homeowner approached Outdoor Dreams while relocating from Hawaii into their newly built custom home. With a fresh start in Virginia, they envisioned a poolscape that would feel both welcoming and grounded—a space that blended seamlessly with the architecture of their home while also reflecting the rustic, natural warmth of the Midwest.
Sculpting Fire - Custom Curved Fire Features
Sculpting Fire - Custom Curved Fire Features
When it comes to building a luxury poolscape, a swimming pool is just the beginning. The real magic happens in the details—the elements that transform a backyard into an unforgettable retreat. For the Cascading Curves Project, that magic came in the form of two fully customized, curve-driven fire features that now anchor the space with drama, warmth, and unmistakable personality.