Why Large Patio Construction Projects Are Different
Work in the patio builders construction business for a while and you will find that there are very few projects that are actually easy and straightforward. Most take more time than an outsider would think.
When you start thinking about large properties, though – ones with several acres, or complex plans for installed features – things kick up to an entirely different level. At that point there is more time, money, and planning involved. It also means you have to be more careful when choosing the right patio contractor.
To help you understand why the decisions you make on a large patio construction project are so crucial, let’s look at a few of the most important factors.
Bigger Properties Mean More Complex Plans
When you have a large space to work with, there are a lot of directions you can go in. While a small three-bedroom home might be fine with a deck and a pool, larger properties can call for additional fencing, outdoor kitchens, basketball or tennis courts, and so on.
In addition to wanting more of your property designed, you might have more to work with. Certainly, you’ll need to evaluate the space to find the right places for each feature you want to install. At the same time, there could be trees to clear, old structures to be removed or even slanted ground that has to be evened out in a way that will be stable for the future.
Put it all together and you are looking at more complexity even from the design phase of the project. That’s not necessarily a problem, but it does mean you need patio builders who can think ahead. They’ll need to not only map out the job in several phases, but also to coordinate different vendors or professionals who will be working in stages.
There Might Be Complex Property or Zoning Concerns
It’s never easy to navigate details related to local laws, town councils, zoning authorities, and other various pieces of red tape. As tempting as it would be to skip over them altogether, getting things wrong could result in fines, delays, or even the removal of newer features on your property.
The bigger a landscaping or patio construction project becomes, the more need there is to go through red tape – especially early in the process. You’ll want to find out whether you have any issues related to property lines, easements, or use restrictions well before you start spending money or digging ground.
An experienced patio builders team will know what to look for, particularly if they have worked in your area in the past. That’s because they won’t just have local knowledge, but also relationships with the relevant administrators. They’ll know what to look for when it comes to getting the right permissions and where to check for the right paperwork.
Believe it or not, knowing how to navigate the paperwork side of patio renovation can take a lot of time and money out of what could otherwise become a difficult process.
Project Lead Times Will Be Longer
A large patio builders project is probably going to require a longer lead time. By that I mean it won’t just take a while to finish, but there might be a delay in getting started. Believe it or not, that’s usually a good thing.
When you hire a patio contractor to transform a large space, they aren’t simply going to remove what you already had in your yard and get to work. Instead, they are going to think ahead to the finished product and work backward. That might mean ordering fixtures like pools. Or, it could be coordinating with electricians to ensure they have access to the property, or even arranging for the right permits to build (see above).
There are a lot of steps involved in transforming a large outdoor space, and some of them take weeks. This is all just part of the process, but you don’t want a contractor who will rush things or draw the schedule out even farther than it needs to go. That brings us to a final point that is perhaps the most important of all.
An Experienced Project Manager Will Be Required
For all of the reasons I’ve mentioned, you don’t want to leave your large patio contracting project in the hands of someone who doesn’t have extensive expertise in the business. In fact, I would go farther and say you really want someone who has worked in your area on similar properties in the past with access to great materials.
With so much time and money at stake, it just wouldn’t be wise to bring in a contractor who didn’t have experience designing large spaces. That’s because having a good plan is ultimately so important when it comes to envisioning the final result and executing along the way.
Of course, the plan for your outdoor space is just a starting point. Inevitably, when you’re working with large properties, there are issues that come up along the way. Nothing ever happens in the real world quite the way you expect it to. Drawings end up being incomplete, and the ground beneath you shifts (both literally and figuratively). That’s why experience and problem-solving skills are invaluable as the site progresses.
If your patio construction project is expected to take more than a couple of weeks, then I would highly encourage you to find a company with an experienced project manager at the helm. Otherwise you may find that they are learning on the job right alongside you.
Where to Find the Experienced Patio Contracting Team You Need
The internet is always a great starting point in your search for an experienced patio contractor. However, be sure to look at portfolios, talk to previous customers, and go through an extensive consultation process before you agree to anything.
Of course, if your property falls within the Saugus, Massachusetts, area then the team at Stefanos can help. Contact us today to arrange a free initial consultation at your home so we can help you move forward.