I’m pretty good with dogs, but if you were going to give me a nickname, it would more likely be “the house whisperer.” I listen closely to what my clients tell me about their vision for their outdoor living project, but I get a huge amount of the information I need to do my job right by a careful site survey–essentially listening to what the home and site tell me.
Obviously, homes don’t talk to you, but they do have individual characteristics and they all interact differently with the environment. While I’m walking around the yard with a homeowner, I’ll look places they might not expect, ask questions that they think are nuts and will take notes. It’s all part of the process of determining what is possible and what is best for a particular job.
I start by looking at site conditions. What is the architecture, size, and age of the home? Where are the vents, windows, and doors? What kind of siding and roof are on the existing home? And, probably most important of all: where is the water going to go? Not the water pipes, but the rain and snow melt.
If you are building a Columbus screened porch, I will determine if a gable or hip roof is possible. Many people prefer gable roofs because they are so light and airy, but sometimes the location of a window or door will dictate a shed roof. The grade of the land will tell me whether we need to discuss a railing. Code states that any structure 30” or higher off the ground needs rails for safety.
In addition to design considerations, I’ll be thinking about some work site issues for my crew. Do they need to take down a fence to bring in large equipment? Is there space to stage lumber or materials on the site? How long will the commute be? Are there neighbors we don’t want to wake up early in the morning? Some of these issues impact the cost of labor and ultimately the price I will quote the clients. If a company is quoting you a flat price per square foot to do a job, they aren’t giving you an accurate bid, they are taking a shot in the dark.
A comprehensive site survey also allows me to collect the information and photos that I will use to create architectural designs and plans. So the short answer is: I’m in your yard getting your project started on the right foot.
If you’re thinking about adding an outdoor living space to your Columbus backyard, give us a call to see how we can make creating your dream backyard an enjoyable experience, start to finish. The consultation is completely free. Call (740) 879 – 3730 or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net. We look forward to your call.
Columbus Decks, Porches and Patios by Archadeck of Columbus 