Most people when thinking of having a patio cover or shade
structure installed at their home are typically wanting it done for one of two
reasons: They either want some
shade or they want complete shelter that not only provides shade but also
protection from the rain. But there are
a few more things to think about when designing an outdoor area.
As a homeowner, doing some soul searching and research
beforehand can help the design process flow a little more smoothly when the
time comes to choose a contractor to work with. It will also help you gain
clarity about what it is you are trying to achieve. And if you have a spouse, it will help both
of you get on the same page about what it is that you want. When I meet with a potential client, I will
generally dig deeper and go in to greater detail, but here are 4 basic things
that you as a homeowner can begin to think about before you schedule an
appointment with a contractor for an estimate.
1. Shade or Shelter
Do you just want some shade, or do you want an area that is
completely protected from the elements?
This basic question will help you to determine what type of structure
you desire. For simply creating shade,
an Alumawood™ pergola will more than likely do the trick. For an area that provides not only shade, but
also shelter from the rain and elements, you may want an insulated or
non-insulated patio cover.
If you decide on a solid roof structure, what you plan
to use the cover for will determine whether it should be insulated or
non-insulated. If it is just to shelter
your property (a boat, automobile or recreational vehicle), a
non-insulated patio cover will probably work just fine. But if it is going to be an area that you use
as a patio for relaxing or entertaining, you will certainly want to look at
an insulated cover that is going to provide greater comfort for you and your
guests.
2. Form, Function or Both
Once you have decided what type of structure you need, it’s time to go a little deeper in thinking about your project. This second point covers some of the same
ground as the first point, but in greater detail. Some things that might influence your
decision making at this point may include your personality and style, the
architectural style of your home, and
what you plan to use the structure for (which you have already determined
in point 1). During this part of the
process, you will want to also start thinking about the budget for your
project.
If you have a spouse, this process may require some give and
take. If you are not in agreement with
some of the details of the project, it is very important that you work together
in achieving a compromise that both of you can live with and be happy about. You should both be on the same
page and both be a part of the design process.
I have seen too many potential projects fall apart because
neither spouse were on the same page or only one of the spouses dominated the
decision making process, leaving the other spouse unhappy with the finished
project. This is not a good situation
for anyone involved, including the contractor who is caught in the middle.
3. Finishing Touches
At this point in the process, you have covered quite a bit
of ground and have made substantial progress in moving toward choosing a
contractor to turn your ideas into a reality.
This part should be the fun
part: adding accessories. If you have decided that you only need a
basic, economical structure with no bells and whistles, you may find that you
can skip over this section altogether.
But a lot of the time, there is a need and/or desire for some extra
touches to finalize a project.
For instance, you may have decided on an area for relaxing
with family and entertaining guests. If
this is the case, you will most certainly want to make this area as
comfortable and inviting as possible.
This may include having your structure wired for outdoor lighting,
ceiling fans, 110V power outlets, or speakers for listening to your favorite
music. Or maybe you decide that you don’t need any electrical fixtures, and
instead you need a privacy screen or partition due to the close proximity of
your next door neighbors. There is also
beam and rafter end cut styles, as well as color options to consider.
It is important to review exactly what your structure will
be used for. And once you have chosen one, your contractor should also
be able to help you incorporate some or all of these design elements in to your
project.
4. Putting It All Together
You have made some good progress up to this point in deciding on the type,
function and design elements of your structure.
This last part has a lot to do with the contractor that you choose to
build your project. Make sure and do your
due diligence before deciding on which contractor you choose. If you make the mistake of basing your
decision upon price alone, there is a good chance that you will regret it
after it is too late. Rest assured, if
you choose a contractor with the lowest price, they will be cutting corners
somewhere. How else can they justify
their low-ball price?
Make sure that your contractor presents you with a win-win
Construction Agreement. It protects not
only the contractor, but also you as a homeowner. Also, make sure that the proper permits will
be secured for your project. Most jobs
require a building and/or electrical permit and your contractor should be able
to handle the permitting process for you.
If you run across someone that tries to talk you out of a building
permit, I would think twice about using that contractor.
The point here is to make sure that you do your homework
before ultimately choosing who you will do business with. Find someone who answers the phone
professionally, asks questions and shows a genuine interest in helping you
solve your problem, has an informative website with examples of their work,
shows up on time for scheduled appointments and is clean cut and dressed nicely.
These are but a few things that contractors can do that go a long way in conveying a feeling of honesty and
trustworthiness, which most contractors don't do a good job of. In fact, if there is
one thing that I would recommend in choosing a contractor, it would be to listen to your gut instinct. Find a contractor who conveys to you that feeling of honesty and trustworthiness, and do business with that person.
