Outdoor Living Buying Guide
Welcome to our Outdoor Living Buying Guide. As buyers, we often find ourselves frustrated when trying to research a project online. Sometimes we just want to know if it makes sense to continue spending time dreaming or if we should move on to the next thing. We believe that if we buy this way, that there is a very good chance you buy this way also. We want to be fully transparent. This page is an overview of projects and the cost drivers based upon what previous clients have invested over the recent years. Though certainly every request is different, they all share the same basic components. Looking at how many items will go into a project is a great starting point for determining a ball park budget in which the vision you have for your property will likely start out at. We encourage you to dream, and please call if you have any questions.
Party Starter
50K-125K
Family and friends matter to you. Having a safe and comfortable place to create memories with those you love is the most important thing. You aren’t after bells and whistles, and peace of mind and quality of workmanship matters to you. You want a great experience and a great yard. You only need 1-2 items such a patio, and light landscaping to get the party started.
Vacationer
125K-250K
It’s been a long time coming. You have always dreamt of a backyard that takes you to new place. Components that change the way you live. Your yard is always providing a new discovery or moment of appreciation throughout the year. Well planned, well crafted, and no stone left unturned. Adding 3-5 features whisks you off to the land you have have been waiting for.
Aficionado
250K-400K+
You are all in. You live the natural lifestyle. We aren’t talking drum circles and slack lines. We are talking about a deep appreciation for natural elements, fine attention to detail, and creating emotions through nature. Life changing enhancements that inspire and awe. One really amazing work of art or an entire backyard. The choice is yours. If you can dream it, our network can build it.
Click the sections below to explore more…
Stone Craft & Paving Stones
300 Sq Ft
25K-37K
A walkway or a small patio gets the job done. You do not need to settle on quality because of size. An average path of 75’x4’ or a nice little 15’x20’ patio to spend the afternoon. Natural stone is versatile material that fits all needs.
500 Sq Ft
40K-60K
The average American patio size. A dining table and enough room to place your grill. No need to move your chair to let your guest through. 20’x25’ usually fits the need, though layout are only limited by the imagination.
1000 Sq Ft+
70K-100K+
You need a little more room. A pool deck, or most often 2 separate patios, each with a specific intended use. Room to run, and options of where to spend your time based upon the time of day and desired feeling.
Steps
Steps Minimal
5K-10K
A few steps help ease that transition and make your path safer and more inviting. No cap stones to repair or come loose. Solid units that will last the duration. These 6” steps will assist in transforming an elevation change of 1’-3’.
Steps Functional
15K-30K
A home needs a safe and reliable means of access. Perhaps that large hillside would be better served by having a sturdy set of stairs built into it. Hillside elevations of 8’ or less or an inviting means of egress from your front or back door.
Steps Feature
20K-45K+
Your home is on a beautiful lot. It has views, maybe a lake out back, and it also has a hillside which is difficult to maintain and traverse. Let’s transform this pain point into the centerpiece of your property.
Walls
Walls to Add Interest
15K-50K+
Stone craft interests you. The color, the texture, the unique feeling that it adds to your space. A small hillside transition, a raised planter bed, a visual statement to enhance your landscaping.
Walls to Create Space
15K-50K+
Maximize your use of space. Whether we are holding something up, or keeping something from falling down… a stong and reliable wall system will allow you to utilize your property to it’s full potential.
Walls to Make a Statement
25K-100K+
Strong, reliable, and visually impactful. You can see the attentional detail, the workmanship, the selection that tells the world I am here. More than a component to make space, these walls are meant to be seen.
Water Features
Water for Sound
8K-15K
The water bug has bit you. A fountain or small frog pond. Water adds a dynamic component to your landscape. A new layer of sound changes the environment and creates a space that relaxes and rejuvinates.
Water for Living
10K-30K
A pondless waterfall, a specimen rock fountain, a koi pond for the kid in you to explore. Your water feature is a centerpiece within your yard. It adds sights, sounds, and dynamic environments for wildlife.
Water for Inspiration
30K-100K+
The water is a destination. A nature inspired river, a natural swim pond or recreation pond, a waterfall that takes your breathe away every time. This is the entry point to a different lifestyle.
Cooking & Fire Features
Cooking Station
20K-50K+
The extension of the main room in most homes. The center of most gatherings. The one common bond that brings all people together. An outdoor kitchen creates a statement and convenience together. Our clients typically lean towards quality, convenience, and items that provide a special treat like pizza ovens.
Stone Firepit
2K-5K
Simple, functional, and it feels like that childhood memory. There is no feeling like making smores over a wood fire encased in a boulder fire pit. They are simple, and they are also extremely durable. The best part is they blend in perfectly to the natural surroundings and compliment our style well.
Fire Vessels
5K-12K
A natural gas conversion, a smokeless wood feature, a bit of art, or the ability to remove from the area to make more usable space for that family gathering. All great reasons to consider a fire vessel. This item includes the best of the market, though we are happy to work with your existing fire vessel as well.
Structures
Outdoor Rooms
15K-50K+
Arbors, Pergolas, Pavilions, Gazebos, Sun Rooms, and a few more names come to mind. Create shade, create a dry space, enjoy the yard without the bugs. No matter the use, an outdoor room changes how you use your property.
Decks
30K-100K+
Low maintenance, easily accessible, and visual appearance all matter. A raised deck adds a new layer to you landscape. Whether replacing an old deck or adding a new one, a modern deck design changes how you live.
Artistic
50K-150K+
Creative, unique, a conversation piece… Adding a work of art to your property creates a sense of appreciation for the finer things in life. In a way it’s a window to a different perspective.
Gardens
Front Foundation Planting
20K-30K
Well-planned and low maintenance. It’s important to look good, and also be installed properly. A typical offering includes a mix of about 50 shrubs and perennial flowers covering around 600-1000 square feet.
Planting Overhaul
25K-50K
It’s time for a change. A new look or perhaps you inherited someone else’s nightmare. Our landscape designer will consult with you to create a whole property plan of attack that better suites how you envision your property.
Boutique Planting
35K-100K+
Only gardeners at heart need apply. You appreciate unique plant selections and a dynamic gardens that are a habitat for wildlife. You don’t need to have a horticultural degree, but a deep appreciation for the garden is required.
Design & Consultation
In Person Assessment
$750
Hiring the right company is important to you. Perhaps you have spoken with a few “landscapers” and what you heard didn’t feel right. Let’s have a conversation. This small deposit will secure your next-in-line spot on our schedule while we figure out the details of which way to go. Robert, the “Backyard Expert” will walk your space with you and help you learn which direction makes the most sense.
Consultation Service
3K
You are about to make a big investment and we know you don’t want to make any mistakes. You have questions and need assistance selecting the options that are the best for you. Our Preconstruction Retainer Service will help you through the material selection process as well as facilitate the additional associates required to get your project ready for permitting and contracting.
Formal Design
4K-9K+
A comprehensive plan is important to you. In depth material and plant lists are expected. Having a visualization to refer back to will help guide your vision and make sure all associates are on the same page. Drawings support and assist the permitting and approval process. No stone left unturned. You will know exactly what your project will look like before we grab a shovel.
Add-Ons
Drainage
5K-15K+
Say goodbye to flooding, pooling, or erosion. No more pesky downspout leaders causing trouble with your landscape maintenance. 95% of our projects start with a drainage plan. At the basic level we run the downspouts away from the house in an underground system. If you need more we can create a plan to redirect surface water responsibly and recharge back into the ground if required.
Excavation
5K-20K
The first step in just about every project is the site work. Removal of grass or an existing hardscape, prepping for drainage and utilities, changing of the lay of the land before, during, and after. Excavate your pool or future swim pond and responsibly manage the soil along the way to ensure minimal issues at the tail end. Depending on the project this service may or may not be built into the price.
Lighting
5K-20K
Enjoy your landscape into the evening. Walk back to the house and know the road to take. Take the dog out and not need a flashlight. Add curb appeal and interest at the same time. With today’s LED lighting technology we can design a lighting plan from mild to wild that is easy to use and very efficient. Accent your garden or home, or create home security and safe access for visitors.
Check out these helpful articles to continue researching your project: