ON TREND OUTSIDE

WHAT’S OUT IS IN.

FIRE FEATURES.

From wood-burning fire pits to fire tables that turn on with an app, working warmth into the landscape creates an appealing conversation space and takes the chill out of cool nights. You can go practical – or pow! “We do projects where we create pillars with fire coming out of the top for wow factor,” says Kerry Cline, president, C&S Lawn Care, Wadsworth.

UNDER COVER.

Pavilions are a popular request at Land Creations Landscaping in Columbia Station. “More people want that full, overhead structure,” says Jeff Rak, president. Most are open air, some include a back wall fireplace, all feel like a family room.

LIGHT THE NIGHT.

Landscape lighting extends the time you can enjoy the outdoors, and rather than an afterthought, Anthony Angelotta emphasizes to clients how this feature adds a whole other dimension to an outdoor living space. The design/build manager at Angelotta Service and Landscaping in Chesterland notes how smart technology allows you to control LED lighting – including changing colors – from an app. “Accent lights and wall wash lights, pathlights and uplighting all at various brightness illuminates the outdoors and looks natural,” he says.

JUST ADD WATER. Pondless water features that recirculate water are low-maintenance and can be highly customized. Cline says customers request barnstone or natural rock with bubblers so water pours over the textured surface. “We also install larger water features with multiple stream beds and multiple drops,” he says.

copy of it from the county. These are often available online.

Mainly, that initial meeting is to discuss budget, share ideas and understand what existing features will stay, if any — and how you imagine using the space when your dream project is complete. Lifestyle is a big part of the conversation. Who will use the space and how will you spend time there? Do you entertain large groups? Do you have young children?

Make sure everyone in the household is on the same page about what features are important. “So many times, we’ll go out to a property and a husband and wife are thinking two different things,” Cline relates. “Come together as a family, do some research on websites, and that’s also a great time to come up with a budget.”

From Concept to Design

After an initial meeting with one or more contractors — and it’s a good idea to interview a few companies — you can partner with the best fit for your project and the design process begins. (See Find the Right Contractor on page 5.) Some firms charge a design fee, and you might be asked to provide a deposit before the company measures your property.

“We also photograph everything and we ask clients for specifics, talking about colors and materials they might want to have included in the landscape,” Rak says.

Landscape design software brings plans to life in rendering form so you can see how your ideas will play out in the backyard.

Many municipalities require permits, and depending on the design and community, engineered drawings could also be necessary. As soon as the contract is signed and design completed, contractors should pursue this process. “We might have to change the scope of work to comply with a permit,” Cline says, relating that not until a permit is issued can work begin. That said, most of the townships his company serves do not ask for a permit and the construction process can begin once materials for the project arrive.

“The supply chain has gotten better,” Cline adds.

Angelotta says, “We lead customers toward materials that are readily available and go with their project.”

Locally sourced and Ohio-made products are usually available in a week or two, Rak says. “Our goal is, as soon as a project is sold, we meet with the client at our suppliers’ locations, look at materials and make selections. We purchase them as quickly as we can so they are in the queue and we can begin construction.”

While the supply chain has loosened up, project lead times are still backed up because of the demand for outdoor living projects. Rak says Land Creations Landscaping can usually schedule a simple planting or patio within a month, but the wait for large projects like outdoor kitchens and multi-level patios are scheduled ahead for several months.

“A good question to ask a contractor is, ‘How many jobs will you be working on while mine is in progress?’” Rak says. “We like to set up and stay on a project, and we are in constant communication daily–texting, emailing or face to face. We like to really stay focused, and that builds confidence with the customer.”

A Work in Progress

Communication, patience and expectations are a few reasons why design/build projects go awry. You want a contractor who is transparent and responsive, and who lets you know who the point person is for your project if not the owner. Often, an account manager or crew leader is the one who will keep in touch with you with project updates.

Patience is essential because hiccups happen. Materials come in late. A plant you specified might not be in stock, but there are alternatives. “We try to show pictures of plants, but until you get it in the yard, it can be hard to visualize,” Rak says. “It’s a living plant and each one grows differently and flowers differently.”

There are variables like weather that can delay projects.

And anytime there’s a change, that adds more time to the process.“Relay your expectations to your contractor, and if you see something wrong while the work is in progress, let the contractor know as soon as possible,” Cline advises.

Expect fees if the scope or a material changes after the contract is signed and design completed. Ideally, review the contract thoroughly, line by line, and ask questions if you are not sure about a specification or material. “Make sure you understand what the proposal says so there is no gray area, it’s all black and white so your expectations will be met when the time comes to do the work,” Cline says.

Ultimately, the process of designing and installing an outdoor living space — especially one with multiple features — is a lot like building a house. It takes time and there are many details and decisions involved. Some families take a year or longer to nail down the design, Rak says, adding that projects have expanded in scope during the past few years. While his company does smaller-scale patio projects, most are in the $100,000 range.

Here again is where phase work and a long-term mindset can help you achieve the outdoor living space you imagine.

“People are investing in their landscapes,” Rak confirms, relating that less travel and dining out has pushed people’s priorities to home and making the most of it. “Clients keep telling us they want to spend more time in their yards.”