If you’re a parent like me, you’re probably at least familiar with the book “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” This book has helped many new parents navigate the murky waters of parenthood. So why not a guide – albeit much briefer – on what you, dear homeowner, should expect when expecting a new outdoor deck, screened-in porch, or stone patio.
Our hope is to anticipate questions and concerns upfront so that our clients are prepared and excited about creating their new outdoor living space. We believe this type of open communication between our clients, project managers, and crew chiefs is essential. We can’t include the entire document here, but some of the key points are below.
Placement
Please let us know where you would like us to place materials, park our vehicles, and keep our equipment. Our goal is to be as non-intrusive as possible. We all have families, so we deeply respect your need for safety and functionality. Of course, it would be ideal to have our materials, vehicles, and tools as close to the construction area as possible so we can save time and complete your project faster.
Pets
We all have pets that we adore, so we’re especially sensitive to their needs during construction. Your routines may be disrupted during construction, and we’d like to minimize that impact as much as possible. The first priority is to keep them secure. If you have any special needs or instructions, please let us know.
Preparation
Please clear the construction area of all loose items (such as furniture, grills, etc.) prior to our arrival. We’re happy to help you move any heavier items and return them once construction is complete. Our main concern is that you move anything that is delicate or sentimental. If there are bushes near the construction area that are important to you, please let us know by tying a ribbon around them.
Dust
We suggest that you cover or remove any items that may need protection to avoid dirt or damage. While our crew is very conscientious and will make their best efforts to keep the area tidy, the nature of this project makes dust and debris unavoidable.
Noise
Construction is disruptive by nature, so we will make a good amount of noise throughout construction. As we like to say, ” you need to break a few eggs to make an omelet.” You and your neighbors will hear banging, hammering, etc., on a regular basis. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. It all goes toward accomplishing your beautiful new outdoor living space.
Grass
Depending on the season, we recommend that you mow your grass as close to the project’s start date as possible. Routine lawn cutting will need to be put on hold during project construction. Because of the equipment and foot traffic, there will be some disturbance to your grass. We do our best to minimize this, and it should return to its original state within a few weeks of project completion.
Completion
Once your project is complete, we’ll review the proper maintenance steps with you. We’ll also delivery a Maintenance & Warranty binder for easy reference. The information contained in this binder will help you to enjoy your new outdoor living space for many years, and it will increase the long-term performance of your deck, porch, and patio.
The above items are only a partial list of our What to Expect When You’re Expecting document. And no document is a substitute for great communications. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know right away so we can address these items sooner versus later.