Patio Design and Construction Tips for Your 6Southern California Home
6 Patio Design and Construction Tips for Your Southern California Home Imagine walking out of your French doors to your outdoor kitchen and dining room. Or sitting on a chaise lounge on a Saturday afternoon, drinking a glass of wine, laughing with friends and watching your children play on the back lawn. Patios are an extension of your home, and they allow you to relax, entertain and enjoy life all in one place. There are many factors to consider when adding a patio to your home, and the process can quickly become overwhelming if you re not prepared. Here are 6 tips to keep in mind when designing and building a patio for your Southern California home so you ll be prepared for your next project: 1. Determine the Function of Your Patio Before getting started, it s important that you determine what your patio will be used for. This drives all other decisions in the process including budget and design. Are you planning on using your patio mostly for relaxation, or do you want to entertain family and friends on the weekend? Do you need a dining or seating area? An outdoor cooking space? These are just some of the questions you ll need to ask yourself. 2. Discover an Appropriate Budget Think about how much you d like to spend on your new patio. Patios come in a variety of sizes, designs and materials, and prices vary based on what you re looking for. The size of your property and how long you plan on staying there also have an impact on your overall budget. Patio design and installation costs range from $7,000 to $40,000 or more depending on the size, design and additional features. Good design decisions help increase the value of your property, but you don t want to go overboard if you re planning on selling your home in the next 10 years. Working with a paving contractor can help you get the maximum value out of your project, and they ll work with you to stay within your budget. 6 Patio Design and Construction Tips for Your Southern California Home 1
3. Decide on General Sizing and Placement When determining the sizing and placement of your patio, here are a few factors to consider: What are you going to use your patio for? Is it just for relaxation or will it be an entertaining space too? Do you want a multi-level patio or one level? Do you want the patio directly behind your home or further away? How much of your yard do you want to take up? Do you need a lot of space for your kids to play? Are there any regulations for impervious spaces? If you aren t sure, talk to a contractor. They ll also be able to help you get permits when it gets to this point in the process. Are you looking for additional elements such as walls, fire features and lighting? These will raise the price of your patio, they may be must-haves. 4. Enlist the Help of an Experienced Landscape Designer Patios come in a variety of shapes and designs, and it s important to find a design that matches your style and works with the architecture of your home. There s value in paying for a design because it shows a landscape designer is putting time and thought into their work, which leads to a better end result for you. Free designs are often lower quality and less personalized. Working with an experienced designer is beneficial because they can work with you to come up a concept that will work well for your property. These designs often include ideas for patterns, colors, borders, materials, accents, landscape plantings and more. A good landscape design company takes a collaborative approach to design. They ll ask you questions about your style and allow you to have input about various elements, but they ll also guide you in the right direction when you re not quite sure what will work best. 6 Patio Design and Construction Tips for Your Southern California Home 2
5. Choose the Best Materials for Your Patio Paving stones and natural stones are two great options for patios in Southern California. However, pavers are typically more cost effective and provide you with more options to choose from. Interlocking pavers come in a variety of designs, colors and textures, allowing you find one that fits your taste. Also, pavers and natural stones are more durable than brick or concrete, meaning they ll last for decades while also looking better. If you have a pool in your backyard, paving stones are a great option because you can extend them out to your pool deck as well. 6 Patio Design and Construction Tips for Your Southern California Home 3
6. Hire a Qualified Professional Designing and installing a patio isn t an easy task, and it takes a great deal of time and work to get the job done properly. Hiring a qualified professional allows you to take a step back and let someone else handle the bulk of the work. Plus, they ll be able to guide you through the entire process which includes: Meeting you at your home to establish a budget, explain the basics of patio construction and take measurements as needed. Reviewing the project to ensure all regulations and city restrictions aren t being violated Developing the first computer-generated conceptual drawing of your outdoor space Meeting with you again to go over the conceptual drawing Making revisions as needed and presenting you with a final drawing along with the cost of the project Presentation and signing of the construction contract Getting the project engineered if needed, and pulling city permits as required Having a pre-construction walk with you, the landscape designer and project manager Finalizing construction and bringing your design to life! With so many steps involved, having a landscape company with in-house designers and installation crews by your side, will give you the peace of mind that makes all the difference. They ll be able to explain every step to you, answer your questions, guide you in the right direction and ensure that you re satisfied with the final product. At Pacific Pavingstone, we understand the challenges homeowners face when starting a patio project. From an initial concept, to finding the best materials and setting a budget, there are many decisions to make. When you work with us, we ll guide you through the entire process and help you make the best decisions. If you re ready to transform your Southern California property, the team at Pacific Pavingstone would love to help. Check out our online gallery and contact us today to learn more. 6 Patio Design and Construction Tips for Your Southern California Home 4