| What’s outdoor renovation? | | | | As a matter of fact, many outdoor renovation |
| The word renovation means to make something | | | | specialists have entire design staffs on hand for |
| over. When you renovate your home, you are | | | | cases like the one above. |
| making new improvements to the existing | | | | How to hire outdoor renovators: |
| structure. When you renovate your | | | | Here are some pointers to lead you to a |
| property’s outdoor areas, you are making | | | | responsible choice of an outdoor renovation |
| improvements – and additions – to existing | | | | contractor. |
| features on the grounds around your home. | | | | Know what you want, how you want it to look, |
| Here are some examples of outdoor renovation | | | | and what materials you have in mind. |
| projects: pool remodeling, renovating, and | | | | Know your budget. |
| restructuring; building hot tubs; putting up fences; | | | | Ask friends, family, and neighbors for any |
| free-standing decks, decks attached to the home, | | | | recommendations of outdoor renovators. Some |
| and decks that surround, or support, hot tubs or | | | | questions to consider: Did the contractor finish on |
| pools. | | | | time? Did the contractor exceed the agreed-upon |
| Other times you may elect to begin a whole new | | | | budget? How did the contractor handle any |
| project. Even though this is not part of remodeling | | | | setbacks? How was the behavior of the crew? |
| existing features on your property, you can call | | | | Were workers professional, arriving on time? |
| this outdoor renovation because you are | | | | Next, call the contractor or contractors |
| improving on the existing status of your property. | | | | you’ve narrowed the search to. Tell them |
| Many of these projects are difficult to execute | | | | about your plans. Ask them questions like these: |
| with tools you’d have around the home. They | | | | How many similar projects have you done? Who |
| are also difficult for one person, or for a small | | | | handles the permits? Who contacts public utilities |
| group of people to execute, even with borrowed | | | | agents while work is underway? What kind of |
| or rented equipment. That’s not to say that | | | | payment schedule can you offer? What kind of |
| you and the friends, or family that would help | | | | insurance do you have? |
| you, are incompetent or unprofessional. Simply, | | | | Now you’re ready to get an estimate. It will |
| some jobs are so big and complicated that they | | | | be based on the amount of work involved and |
| would more likely cause the amateur | | | | what materials the contractor will need to |
| home-repairman headache than extreme | | | | purchase. |
| satisfaction. At times like this you might consider | | | | Things to watch out for: Cash-only policies (very |
| hiring outside professionals to carry out your | | | | suspicious); the contractor pressures you to |
| home-improvement dreams. | | | | commit to a contract immediately; the contractor |
| For example, think about some of the outdoor | | | | cannot offer proof of insurance; the contractor |
| renovation projects that almost certainly require | | | | claims that you are responsible for getting the |
| (possibly licensed) professionals: asphalt driveways, | | | | permits (this is the contractor’s responsibility!). |
| deck construction, paint stripping, re-siding the | | | | Who should hire an outdoor renovation |
| house with vinyl and aluminum. These projects | | | | contractor? |
| can be dangerous if you tried to do them | | | | Maybe you’ve got an empty yard, or a yard |
| yourself without any training or expertise. | | | | with a decrepit deck. An improvement could |
| So where do you go from here? You think about | | | | boost your love of the property, and it could |
| hiring an outdoor renovation contractor. | | | | boost the property’s value. |
| What can outdoor renovators do? | | | | In other cases, aesthetic concerns dictate what |
| Landscaping design installation; outdoor renovations | | | | should be renovated and how. |
| of decks, fencing, retaining walls, storage | | | | Then there are the practical concerns: you have a |
| structures like sheds; irrigation systems; | | | | pool but only the grass to sit on next to it. A pool |
| foundation and basement repair; decorative walls | | | | deck – concrete or wood – would allow |
| made of wood, concrete, and brick; gazebos and | | | | easier pool access, and would be more conducive |
| storage sheds; yard lighting; aqua garden and | | | | to social gatherings by the pool on hot summer |
| other water features like coy fish ponds and | | | | days. |
| waterfalls; and landscape drainage systems. | | | | The pros and cons: |
| Outdoor renovators can do small projects like | | | | A renovation to your outdoor spaces could |
| gazebo or fence construction, or large projects | | | | connect your home to amenities that are |
| like stone retaining walls. | | | | stranded in the yard, like a pool or a gazebo. A |
| The best part is that these professionals do the | | | | deck could extend the living space from the |
| planning, building, and inspecting – the dirty | | | | home out to the pool; a handsome brick pathway |
| work – based on your initial preferences, | | | | could connect the back door to the peaceful |
| plans, and desires. You’ve got a sketch of a | | | | gazebo. |
| deck extension you’d like to add onto the | | | | A word of caution: Make sure you have a very |
| back of your existing deck. This sketch, scribbled | | | | solid understanding of your contractor’s |
| on a fast-food restaurant napkin a year ago, is | | | | background. Calling up those references and asking |
| still in your wallet. Every time you pull it out you | | | | about permits and insurance can prove whether |
| think, if only I found the time to get around to | | | | the contractor is trustworthy. |
| doing this. But an outdoor renovation contractor | | | | The bottom line: |
| can listen to your ideas about the project. Based | | | | You may be dreaming about home-improvement |
| on your concerns and plans for the renovation, | | | | projects for your outdoor spaces. An outdoor |
| the contractor can draw up a plan for your | | | | renovation contractor can take your plans and |
| review. | | | | make them reality. |