Planning an Outdoor living space that functions well in Northeast Ohio
Carmel Landscapes is a local outdoor living space designer and hardscape contractor serving Northeast Ohio. In this blog we’ll talk about when is the best time to upgrade your existing property with a meaningful outdoor living space, and why it may be a good idea to start booking a contractor in the winter.
- In this guide you’ll find:
Why outdoor living spaces require planning rather than impulse decisions - How to establish clear goals before contacting landscape designers
- When winter consultations benefit your spring construction timeline
- What construction tasks can actually happen in cold weather months
- How to select paver and block materials that function in Northeast Ohio’s climate
Goals and plans: understanding the difference
Goals and plans, I think a lot of us blur these lines and ultimately end up with underwhelming results. Outdoor spaces aren’t built on impulse, they require planning. We are influenced by the things we see and events we experience, but rarely step back to appreciate how this came to be. April rolls around and all of a sudden you remember that patio you wanted or the outdoor kitchen for some events you have planned… only to run into contractors that may not meet your scheduling demands.
Typical outdoor spaces like simple paver patios and pavilion areas may not need as much planning as this blog insinuates but it still requires forethought, and it’s always encouraged to forecast your goal to get the best results that meet your vision.
Building a relationship with a local landscape designer
Let’s step back a little. Ask yourself: what goals do you have for your space? This is one of the first questions I ask clients when partnering with them, and not to my surprise they often counter with the question, “Well, what do you think?”
I think I need to know your plan (yup there it is, the word plan, as in: what will you be using the space for?).
So, as a professional landscape designer, it’s really important to communicate with the client that they have set a clear goal so that we can make the plan with their full intent, because we do not want to blur the lines between desire and reaction (and neither do you). A plan must be fully implemented in order to successfully execute the construction of the perfect outdoor living space.
The collaborative design experience
Partnering with a client who desires all the things they have seen in a home and garden magazine is an exciting experience for both parties.
I get to visualize what their expectations are and formulate ideas that both function well in Northeast Ohio’s brutal climate and meet client goals. It’s a collaborative experience and we both get to learn from each other to build an equitable piece of their home where great memories will be made.
How much will my patio cost?
With any collaboration there are hurdles that need to be addressed and I like to focus on building a relationship with who we build for, because one of the questions in the planning process is budget. This is a tough one to blurt out if a guy just shows up to your house and shakes your hand. Trust hasn’t been built yet and it’s natural to fear answering this question or feel judged to answer it.
Budgets are, however, important to implement early in the game so that designers can work within the realms of what’s possible. Hardscape and landscape designers understand there are many types of materials and building methods to choose from and the amenities on top of this are almost infinite.
Understanding budget ranges without judgment
Most homeowners don’t actually have a budget when they first contact us, they are looking for pricing. We understand humans don’t want to put themselves out there to be judged with what’s in their back pocket, so instead we provide ranges we can utilize with customers to better understand what goals they’re financially comfortable with and can handle right now.
You’ll usually have some type of base pricing in mind, and you have a vision, so now we can get to work on designing a unique outdoor space that meets your needs.
The best part about these conversations is they don’t have to happen on a sunny June day. They can happen on a cold winter afternoon when you’re huddled up next to your fireplace over the phone. It will give you something to look forward to when the snow comes (and comes again) and finally goes.
What other construction tasks can happen in the Winter?
So far we have touched on covering expectations, designing, and budgeting for an outdoor space. These are all tasks that can happen in the dead of winter and not burn your warm weather timeline. There is another set of tasks that a lot of home owners know little about that also can be performed in the dead of winter.
Permitting, variances, and HOA approvals. All the administrative work can get taken care of early, making your build ready all that much sooner.
Completely necessary on most projects, some performed only once a month when the overseeing board meets, and could halt your project with no notice if not performed. Choosing a local hardscape contractor that has the necessary tools to not only build the project but facilitate proper permitting and navigating variance requests is essential to the successful completion of your project.
Choosing paver and block material: Putting light on your selections
Materials selection is the make or break of a budget and timelines. Porcelain pavers cost more than bluestone pavers, and bluestone pavers cost more than concrete pavers, but they all serve a purpose to meet client expectations and they all have a lead time.
Pavers and blocks come in all shapes and sizes. Those clients without intent could end up down a rabbit trail if they aren’t sure what the focus of the space will be utilized for. Some of the most sought-after outdoor spaces we are asked to design and build would simply not work to the desired effect in our Northeast Ohio climate.
Clients show us what their friends in California installed or a South Carolina retreat they saved in their Google favorites. All beautiful works of art, but not necessarily functional in Northeast Ohio. But, it’s our job to help you with these decisions so that they’re well-informed and made to last.
Material selection and climate functionality
Selecting the right materials for your build is incredibly important when designing a space that can be utilized year-round.
Ask yourself, is the space for entertainment? If so, what kind of entertainment? Large gatherings? Occasional get togethers? Maybe the function is strictly access or professional? Will you be driving on it, plowing on it? And whether it be foot or vehicular will it be a high traffic area?
If you’re going to install a water feature with your space, do we need to select materials that are anti-skid to prevent falls or materials that mitigate stains and are easy to clean?
These are all questions that we help our clients answer with the right materials for their needs.
Planning for lighting and evening use
Do you plan on using the space in the evening or will it function as a security feature to light your paths and obstacles over the midnight moon? The right landscape lighting fixtures and how they are implemented can really change the mood and usefulness of the space.
Lights come in different temperatures and create focus, help you decompress, or make memories with your significant other depending on the selection. They create shadows against building structures creating an alternate environment or brightly light your paths for peace of mind in the evening.
Start planning now for spring construction
January is here, and it will be here next year also, I know, bad Cleveland joke. But if you decide to move forward with an outdoor space, don’t be the one in the neighborhood that decides to pull the trigger in June because you reacted to the weather. Be the one who starts the sought-after summer and autumn months with a beautiful outdoor living space.
Well-built, sustainable outdoor spaces come together neatly with a well-enforced plan of events from deployment to demobilization. Designs in Cad can take advantage of other software solutions and even AI to consider drainage, aesthetics, materials, and utilities long before a shovel hits the ground successfully eliminating some costly construction change orders.
Carmel Landscapes specializes in custom outdoor living space design and hardscape construction throughout Northeast Ohio. Contact us this winter to begin planning your patio, outdoor kitchen, or complete outdoor living transformation for the upcoming building season.