Cooler temps will soon be here. And while cold, wind, and snow may move you indoors for the blustery winter months, the time to start planning your outdoor project is right now! Depending on the size and scope of your project, there are a few essential team members, including your contractor, landscape designer, and maybe even an architect. We’ll walk you through some of the critical details, so you can get started.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

TIMING IS EVERYTHING.

If you’re looking to kick back on your back patio in the fall of 2022, it’s time to get started. There’s a lot that goes into an outdoor project. Depending on the size and scope, imagine that it could be the same effort as a full kitchen remodel or even a home addition. After all, your yard is likely your largest “room” in the house.

Photo: Ross van Pelt

BROKEN RECORD.

We’re sorry to be saying it. We’re even sorrier to be experiencing it. Like everything else, the building industry is a victim of supply chain delays, with everything from appliances to construction supplies. That doesn’t just mean more careful planning for a project, but it can mean higher prices, too. Manufacturers of all kinds are in short supply and shipping is taking much longer, plus supply and demand means that materials prices have expanded beyond the annual 5% increase. We recommend careful planning, then ordering, and then starting the project. It makes the process a bit longer, but makes it all go so much easier when the materials are on site before we start digging and drilling.

PLAN YOUR WORK. WORK YOUR PLAN,

Although we are going to talk about the actual project planning, there’s work to be done before you even get to that point.

Check Neighborhood Guidelines.

Do you live in a newer neighborhood or do you belong to a Homeowners’ Association (HOA)? Many newer neighborhoods and most HOAs have guidelines or even restrictions on how your property can be improved or developed. These can include paint colors, fence height, and other details. It can also dictate the percentage of your lot that you can use. While intended to keep the development aesthetically within certain standards, they can be really restrictive, so check and double check. And if you live in a historic district, triple check, since often in these types of areas, there are guidelines on improvements to keep homes within the historic character of the neighborhood.

Check Property Lines.

It can be a good idea to have your property surveyed before starting a project in your yard. A disagreement about property lines once a fence or other outdoor element has been added can be a costly one to remedy.

Call Before You Dig.

Here’s an important one. Call 811 to have utility lines marked before anyone starts digging. Your contractor may take care of this for you, but it’s a detail that should not go overlooked.

BALANCING ACT.

Before you start an outdoor project, you may need to do a little juggling. It’s the only way to manage your wish list against your budget. We recommend starting with a budget range in mind, always with a little extra in reserve for unforeseen circumstances. Budget should always be on your mind with a construction project. It’s another reason why planning in advance is—and sticking to that plan—is so important. We see project costs increase because of a large amount of change orders and the dreaded scope creep. Scope creep is when the size of your project slowly grows. When the project grows, your cost goes up, as simple as that. We love how a project can evolve on site, but careful and consistent communication can keep you on the same page and prepared for budget increases.

Once you’ve established a budget, start thinking about your outdoor space. Are there any challenges, like a large slope in your back yard or lack of privacy? Add these to the list of issues you want to address with this project. Think about how you’ll use the space. It is a space to contain and entertain kids and pets? Will you entertain large crowds? Are you looking for some respite from the hustle and bustle? Or all of the above? On this wish list, prioritize any “must have” features: a fireplace, water feature, outdoor kitchen—the list is endless! Here’s where the balance comes in. Your budget, outdoor space, and neighborhood restrictions will have to be balanced. We want you to have it all are careful planning will make sure the project turns out in the best way possible.

CALL IN THE EXPERTS.

Once you’ve done your homework, it’s time to assemble your team. It’s essential to find the right people for the job, who can help you not only plan and budget, but bring your project dream to life. Now is the time to get started so by this time next year, you could be relaxing in your new outdoor room.

Looking for project inspiration to get you started? Check out these projects here:

Photo: Paige Pederzani

• Covered Front Porch

• Exterior Transformation

• Screened In Porch

• Front Porch & Outdoor Living

• Front Porch Addition

• IPE Deck

There are people who describe themselves as outdoorsy. And those who consider themselves to be more indoorsy. But what if you like them both? We know some homeowners who came up with the perfect solution: a screened in porch with some amazing features that beautifully bring the outdoors in and the indoors out.

These homeowners were smart about how they went about this renovation. They lived in the space for a bit before planning their home improvement project. This strategy gave them the opportunity to see where they like to spend time in their home and what renovation project would give them the most bang for their remodeling buck. The former screened in porch was a much used, much loved part of the home. It was small, dark, and a bit dated, but the homeowners found themselves spending a lot of time there with family and friends. Making it bigger and better seemed like a no brainer.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

First, the enclosed porch was extended and given a vaulted ceiling. A new masonry fireplace gave a place to gather on those cool, fall evenings. The extended space gave room for multiple seating areas, as well.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

This porch combines the best of the indoors and outdoors, with matching wooden floors and ceiling with exposed beams. Recessed lights, ceiling fans, and built in heaters, as well as the fireplace, make this covered porch a useable space for all four seasons. The house was given new sliding doors. The former door to the house was repurposed as the new door leading to the now attached garage/rec room space.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

New steps lead from the covered porch to the paver patio, providing a wider entry to the porch and some extra outdoor seating.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

The existing patio got a major upgrade in the process. The fireplace isn’t just for those sitting on the covered porch. Instead, a two-sided fireplace was installed, so it can be enjoyed from the inside or the outside. Double the cozy seating areas, which can be enjoyed no matter if you’re outdoorsy or indoorsy.

As the sun sets earlier and the nights grow cooler this time of year, it’s the perfect timing to post this project. You can imagine sunset happy hours at this home. With a little planning, we can create an indoor/outdoor oasis just as lovely in your home. The first step? Give us a call.

A few weeks ago, we shared with you Craig Russell’s check list for spring maintenance for the interior of your home. Although his list is not exhaustive, it is a thought starter and meant as a tool to help keep you on track for those home maintenance projects that will just get away from you over time. Now that you’ve had the time to tackle your list of interior maintenance, it’s time to head to the great outdoors. Don’t let the size of this list intimidate you. Instead, your first step is to merely take a nice, leisurely walk around the outside of your home, looking at the ground around your home, the structure itself, and then important elements like driveway, decks/patios and roof. Once you get into the habit of using this checklist, you’ll be come that much more familiar with your house. This way, when something is wrong, you’ll see it right away and can either take care of it or call in the appropriate professionals.

House

Start by looking directly at your house. A great first step is getting those gutters cleaned. You might want to consider gutter guards at some point, which will add another layer of protection in keeping water away from your house. Give your home a visual inspection, paying specific attention to your roof and foundation. You’re looking for loose shingles and gutters and unusual cracks. Finding these issues early can save you a big headache later. Windows and doors need to be assessed too, since theses are potential entry points for wind and water.

Yard

Next, look for branches or any type of plant/tree growth that is too close to your house too. As we get ready for mosquito season, look for any area of standing water as well. Pooling of water any where near your house can also suggest an issue with grading. If you haven’t yet, it’s time to turn on your outside water and inspect your outdoor faucets. If they weren’t winterized correctly, leaks could emerge now.

Structures & Driveways

Finally, take a look at any outdoor structures and your driveway. Check your deck, porch, and railings for water stains, warping and loose or rusty nails. Keeping up with these small repairs can save you a big project later. After repairs have been made, consider resealing any woodwork. Walk around your driveway and patio, looking for cracks that may have emerged over the winter.

Good habits when it comes to home maintenance will pay dividends in the end. These projects are much easier to keep up with when they are a part of your regular routine and often can stop small problems from developing into large ones.

The back yard patio is the new living room.

Let’s discuss.

If you’ve tried to purchase an outdoor, propane heater, new grill, or even outdoor seating in the past six months, this is not news to you. We’re all doing our best to manage through the pandemic while still enjoying social connections and time with family and friends. The solution that so many of us have adopted is to spend more time outside. There’s a Norwegian saying that says, “there is no bad weather, only bad clothing.” It’s a mantra worth adopting these days. We have a lot of customers who are ready to bundle up and enjoy their back yards as much as they enjoy their living rooms. But these lucky homeowners have had that opportunity for the past six months. Reading any further may make you pretty jealous, but we hope that it inspires you for a future project in your own back yard.

This stately Hyde Park, Cincinnati home was already a real beauty and the homeowners instantly saw its potential. The scope of our project included new paint, a new driveway, an expanded front porch with new front doors and then, the creme de la creme of a backyard, giving this home garage space, privacy, extra parking and outdoor living space—all elements that it had previously been lacking.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

The home received an instant update with a new coat of paint and a new front door. A new, enlarged porch was added that expands the entire front of the house, allowing for two seating areas. New lighting and ceiling fans make it a wonderful place to sit and watch the world go by.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

Of course, the front of the home looks beautiful from a distance, plus, the closer you get, the more stunning it becomes. The stained headboard ceiling adds a gorgeous custom detail. The composite flooring give the space low maintenance durability.

A new poured concrete driveway now extends from the street to the backyard, not only offering additional parking, but also giving an impressive gated access to the backyard. As the gates swing open, you can see an expansive paver patio—beautiful enough for entertaining and durable enough for even more parking, when necessarily. The addition of a two-plus car garage, gives a place to park cars and is large enough to accommodate additional storage.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

The backyard provided a blank slate and the perfect spot for a new two-car garage, a rarity in a community of older homes. In addition to adding more storage and lighting, the new structure gives more privacy from neighbors for the new entertaining and outdoor living space.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

If you were to look up “outdoor oasis” in the dictionary, this picture would surely be right there. What used to be an empty back yard is now a multi-level living area, with easy access to the street, house and garage. But why would you ever leave this cozy little nook. The paver patio includes a grill and refrigerator, plus a gas fire pit. Custom built planters add an extra bit of privacy and some seasonal color.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

The composite deck extends this entertaining space and is maintenance free, to boot. Instead of railings, it includes beautiful built in planters and a built in bench. Take note of the outdoor television. We’re sure this family doesn’t miss going out because they have it all right here.

And you can too. Give us a call to get on our schedule to upgrade your own backyard.

Here’s a home that now checks all of the boxes, inside and out. Chef’s kitchen with ample storage, an enviable mudroom, a sunroom outdoor living, not to mention new siding, windows and doors. The list goes on and on, including phase two of our project, which includes a grand master bathroom renovation.  And that’s before we even get to the brand new garage. The coup de grace. The icing on the cake. The feature that made us feel so especially lucky that we got to be the home builders who got to bring it all together.  These homeowners are really happy with their new space. But you know who else is happy—we are because this space takes our portfolio to the next level.

 Let’s start outside and then work out way in. (We’re saving the garage for last, so keep reading!) This Hyde Park home got quite the facelift, as well as a spacious new addition. It went from white to grey with siding from LP Siding, for renewed curb appeal in an instant. Our partners at Marvin provided the new windows and doors from their Marvin Essentials line. The good bones of this house really shine through with new windows and siding—all the character and none of the “old house” maintenance. A stroll around to the back of the house reveals a new, low-maintenance, IPE deck. The stone accents, provided by Semco Outdoor, and the deck railing, from EADS Fence Company, makes this outdoor space seem more like a roomy extension of the house than a run-of-the-mill deck. The steps of the deck lead to a new patio, perfect for grilling and dinner al fresco.

But be careful when you walk through the Marvin Essentials doors. You’re going to have house envy. The new deck leads to a brand, new kitchen. And it is a stunner to say the least. Custom cabinets, finished in a crisp, clean, white, reveal tons of organized storage, with pull out drawers and an appliance garage. The central island is painted with a custom Sherwin Williams grey, which makes the apron front farmhouse sink from Kohler really stand out. 

Glass-paneled upper cabinetry flanks the impressive ventilation hood, for a modern farm house look. The commercial-look range is from Thermador, as well as the paneled dishwasher, which beautifully blends into the cabinetry. The granite countertop from Ohio Valley Stone ties the grey of the center island and the white of the surrounding cabinetry together perfectly. 

A special nook in the kitchen can become a bar for entertaining—just add an ice bucket! The undercounter beverage refrigerator from Thermador is nestled in this corner next to a pull-out cabinet, which houses libations now, but could also store glass drinkware or serving pieces. The lighted cabinet above makes this corner is a great detail, making it a focal point during parties or special occasions. 

 From the kitchen, the layout of this addition flows into a cozy, light-filled sunroom. Serving as a connector to outdoor living or family space, this kitchen now truly is the heart of the home. If you can pull your eyes off the kitchen long enough, check out the room’s vaulted ceiling with exposed beams. We love adding these types of custom detail to our homes.

 People always say that a kitchen is what makes a house a home, but we all secretly know that it’s really the mudroom, right? With a spare refrigerator, washer and dryer and plenty of cabinetry that complement the kitchen, this room really keeps this house in business. The secret here is that this room used to be the kitchen. We modified the homeowner’s existing cabinetry to continue the look and feel of the kitchen. The additions of new countertops, a sink, cubbies and a built-in desk make this room a real workhorse. 

Pretty much a dream house, right? 

And we haven’t even gotten to the garage yet.

The English Contractor team built this new structure from the ground up. It’s a 3-car garage that actually can fit 6 cars. How can that be? Magic? 

It’s magic, all right. The magic of car lifts. Just when you thought the garage space couldn’t get any better, take a look at the epoxy floors, courtesy of American Sealing Experts.

The lush landscaping so beautifully accentuates the details of this home. We wish we could take credit for that, but this homeowner is a talented landscape architect—and it shows. New home amenities with real character.

 It may look finished, but we’re still working away on this home. It could be that these clients love us enough that they never want us to leave. Or it could be that this house has such a special place in our hearts that we’ll keep taking new projects. Either way, this project continues. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better.

Are you ready to turn your house into your dream home?

We build houses. We build additions. We remodel. But sometimes, we get to help accessorize a home, as we did with this house in Mount Lookout, Cincinnati, with the addition of a a stunning new front porch.

This home already had plenty of curb appeal, if you ask us, with its stately brick, dramatic black shutters, and lush landscaping. These homeowners partnered with an architect to take their vision for their home to the next level. We were happy to be called in to help bring the plan to life, making this home the new shining star of the neighborhood. 

 The short story is that these homeowners added a covered porch to the front of their home. However, to call this masterpiece a covered porch is truly not doing it justice. Look up. Look down. Look all around. No detail was left unnoticed in this outdoor space that makes an impressive, welcoming entrance to this house. 

 The crowning glory of this space is the stained bead board ceiling that adds a beautiful detail. The new door was stained to match, creating a unified, well-designed look to the entire space. 

 The door hardware is from the Baldwin line on build.com. We love how this darker finish compliments the existing shutters. The sconces and ceiling-mounted fixture, from Rejuvenation’s Thurman collection, tie it all together.

Are you ready to add some curb appeal to your home?

The English Contractor team can help.