Christmas is over and I don’t know about you but I’m back to dreaming about summer. Hot weather, being outside, firing up the grill, and enjoying my outdoor space. This is around the time that I start googling creative projects to start over the summer. And maybe that’s why you found us. Here are three summer projects you should start planning for now and why.
Decide on your Project
This is the fun part! Take your time looking through ideas on Pinterest, discussing them with your partner or kids, and start dreaming of what your outdoor space could be like. In this blog, we’ll focus on 3 types of outdoor living projects that you should start planning now: A Deck, a Sunroom/Screened In Porch, or an Outdoor Bar.
Once you’ve dreamed and gathered ideas, start looking at contractors. You could go two ways with a contractor. You could go specialized, someone who only specializes in decks or outdoor living spaces (like us), vs a general contractor who is knowledgeable in construction as a whole. Either way, finding the right contractor for you will make the process a lot smoother.
Starting early will help ensure that you and the contractor are on the same page about your project early. A deck, sunroom, or outdoor bar could take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to complete depending on the specifics of your project.
Invest in a Design Phase
It’s worth investing in a design phase especially if you start planning our project now. Getting on the same page with your contractor through specific designs will help your project go a lot smoother and help push your Building and HOA permits through faster.
And let’s be honest, seeing your dream project come to file in a rendering helps you get excited about the building process, and when summertime rolls around when you can finally enjoy them!
A design phase will help you save time, be inspired, and be on the same page with your contractor. You’ll be glad you did it when it comes to building time.
Determine costs
Once the design phase is complete, and all the materials are determined your contractor will be able to tell you the costs associated with your project. Always be prepared for things to shift depending on the price of materials and other factors as your timeline comes closer. But having an estimate in mind will help you save and be prepared for your project.
Acquire a Building & HOA Permit
Permits can take a long time, sometimes up to 4 weeks depending on the type of project and the township you live in. Starting your project now, in the winter will ensure that you have plenty of time set aside for the permit process. If you live in an HOA those will require very specific needs for your application, sometimes including the types of material you’ll use, the color, etc. Work with your contractor on submitting these applications. Please read our blog post on applying for a permit in an HOA to help you get started.
Pay the Deposit
Get locked into your contractor’s schedule by paying their deposit. At Lincoln Built, we typically do a ⅓ deposit for the project then we’ll do progress payments as we go through the building process. Once you’re locked in the schedule pending permit, it’s a waiting game.
It’s worth calling your township to check in on your permit to see how it’s going. Keep in touch with your contractor as you wait. Keep the excitement around your project alive in your home by pinning up your designs on your refrigerator. It will be exciting to see your project come to life.
Timeline
So we’ve talked through the process, now let’s talk a little about the timeline and when you should start working on the planning process for your summer project. Let’s say you want to start using your space in late May or June. A deck, sunroom, screened-in porch, or outdoor bar could take 4-6 weeks to complete. Which would mean you would want to start in early spring like March or April. Working backward it would be good to start the permit process in January or February to give yourself plenty of time.
Start dreaming now! It will only give you more than enough time to plan accordingly. So there you have it! 3 Summer projects you should start planning for now! Sign up now for a FREE consultation to talk about your summer project now!
