You deserve a yard you love.
Not one you regret.
That’s why we’re sharing a list of things to keep in mind, so you don’t have any regrets when your new yard is done.
For the past 15+ years we’ve been designing exteriors from the most extravagant projects with no budget to some small yards, strict deadlines, and challenging lots.
While every project and every client are unique, there are some common mistakes we’ve seen that we want to make sure you avoid.
So you end up with an outdoor space you and your family will love.
The last one is by far the most common and it’s also the easiest to avoid so make sure to read to the end.
And, when you’re ready to transform your yard, click the button below to book your free Design Consultation Call to get started.
Letting A Contractor Design Your Yard
The first mistake that we commonly see is letting a contractor design your yard.
We get this questions a lot:
“Why would you pay a designer when you can have your contractor come up with a design for your yard? With no fee.”
The problem is that they are experts on building it out. They’re not designers.
At Foxterra, we love design, we’re passionate about it, and we fully understand what it takes to make an amazing space that flows and that meets all your lifestyle needs.
Working with a designer who is passionate about yard design and who understands you is key if you want your yard to be a place you love.
Waiting Too Long To Get Started
It’s really tough to know how long this process takes.
So, often we see clients wait a little bit too long to get started.
For anyone that has not gone through a lengthy construction project before, you should know that delay will happen. Weather, materials, permitting, there are so many things that can impact your projects timeline.
Delays are a huge part of construction and it’s something that is very frustrating, but that has to be accounted for.
That said, as long as you schedule your design and get everything lined up as early as possible and you take into account the time it takes to build something, you can avoid that big regret.
If you have a special event, whether it be a wedding that you want to have a reception at your home or hosting the holidays, make sure you give yourself at least a year to a year and a half in advance to ensure that when that date approaches, you have everything fully finished.
Choosing The Wrong Contractor
Unfortunately, a major regret I hear from clients is that they chose the wrong contractor.
When you choose the wrong contractor, everything that will go wrong, everything that can go wrong, will go wrong. And that can be just delays without end, prices that continue to spiral, or simply it’s getting built and it looks nothing how you imagine.
That’s why Foxterra Design is so committed to identifying quality contractors and helping you in choose the right builder to bring your yard to life.
Not Working With An Exterior Designer
Another regret we hear from clients, is that they didn’t choose an exterior designer who designs exclusively for outdoor spaces.
It is so important that you work with a someone who understands what is actually possible based on the site conditions, based on the topography, based on the budgetary restrictions, etc.
And a designer who can get creative with solutions to maximize your unique outdoor space. Whether that’s a small yard, incorporating existing structures, or stretching your budget.
Not Considering Your Lifestyle
One of the most important things to consider when designing your exterior– is how you actually live and use your yard.
At Foxterra, we always have a very in -depth conversation with our clients to nail down their needs and how they envision using their future outdoor space.
For example, a swimming pool means so many different things to so many people. So we ask questions like: Is this swimming pool going to be used for laps? Are you going to have pool parties? Would you rather just like to float around? Does it need to be very big? Are you fine with a small pool?
A lot of clients who come to us and want a renovation or to makeover their existing yard do so because they don’t use their outdoor space much. Because it wasn’t designed it to match their lifestyle.
