Everyone has heard that old advice about buying real estate: “Location, location, location.” At Archadeck of Columbus, we have some comparable advice when it comes to scheduling the construction of a new outdoor living space at your home: Timing, timing, timing.
We don’t mean timing in the sense that it depends on luck — for example, the way some people think of timing in the stock market. In the context of a construction project, there are many factors to take into consideration that can affect the timing of your project. Unlike the stock market, the most important of these factors is within your control.
The most important timing factor for your new outdoor living project is when you first make the call to schedule your design consultation. The sooner you start the process, the sooner your new deck, porch, 3-season room or paver patio (or combination of these) will be completed. That’s why you should go ahead and get started now, while summer is winding down and fall is slipping in. Before you know it, spring will be here! If you take steps now to begin setting up the project, you’ll be showing off your new outdoor living space in time for spring.
The first step is to call Archadeck of Columbus to schedule a free design consultation — now, in August, or whenever you are reading this.
Scheduling
When you sign a contract with us to build your 3 or 4-season room, porch, deck, patio, outdoor kitchen or some combination of these, we will add your project to our construction schedule. Keep in mind that we have other jobs underway now in the Columbus area. Then we have more projects, with signed contracts, each one scheduled to begin as soon as a current project is completed. Any reputable contractor will have some lead time before they can begin construction on your project.
Before we build anything, we work with you to design the outdoor living space you’ve dreamed of. The design process may take several iterations from rough sketches to polished 3-D renderings. Some clients think of elements they want to add or change each time they see a new version of their design. That’s okay, because it’s your home. It’s your home! But each change must go back through the drafting department to get added to the architectural renderings.
When the design is finalized, we also finalize all of your material choices including the type and color of decking boards; specific stone selections for the patio, walkways, planters, seating walls or fireplace; porch ceilings, railings, pillars and beams, etc. Knowing what materials you want enables us to give you an exact quote for your project. At that point we can sign the contract and schedule the job.
Hint: our lead times for scheduling new projects are usually shorter in the fall and winter than they are in the warmer months. We build during all 12 months of the year.
Permitting
We must submit architectural renderings and specifications to local permitting agencies, either city or county, depending on where you live. Sometimes we encounter delays at these agencies. The permitting process is unpredictable. If zoning issues arise, additional action is required. You may have to meet with a zoning board, and you must get on their calendar a certain number of days in advance of their meeting. If you just miss getting on the agenda, you may have to wait a month until the next zoning board meeting.
HOA approval
Does your community or neighborhood require Homeowners Association approval of your construction plans? How often does this group meet, and how far in advance do you need to notify them of your plans?
Materials delivery
Archadeck of Columbus special orders many of the materials we use from reliable vendors we have worked with for years. Many of the desired materials are not available at your nearby home improvement stores or, in some cases, we can get much better prices through our vendors. While we can usually predict when materials will arrive, every now and then we encounter delays.
Weather
We do work through the winter, but every season has its share of bad-weather days that can set a construction schedule back.
As you have gathered from the details outlined above, you cannot call a contractor in the spring to build a project you plan to start enjoying that same season. With so many factors beyond your — and our — control, the timing works out best if you begin planning farther ahead.
Since fall and winter are fast approaching, here are a few advantages to scheduling your outdoor living construction project during the cooler months:
- If your design includes wood, know that it seasons more quickly in lower humidity, which occurs during the cooler months. Some seasoning time is required before wood is ready to accept stain or paint.
- Work crews are likely to be more productive in the cooler months.
- You can lock in 2017 prices by signing a contract with us before the end of the year. Prices for building materials generally increase in the first quarter of the new year.
- While construction activity may cause some damage to your lawn, damage during the fall or winter is apt to recover by spring. Damage done in spring will not recover as quickly.
Have we convinced you that you should not wait until spring to schedule your new outdoor living project? Your Archadeck of Columbus design consultant is ready to talk with you now about designing a beautiful outdoor living environment that can be ready before spring. Contact us today at (740) 265-3905 or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net.
