what's the process
A simple front or rear home landscape project including focal point trees, shrubs, perennials, bedding and boulders is in the $10,000-15,000 range and up. The size of the home directly relates to the cost of additional bedding and materials that may be needed Landscape renovation projects can typically fall into the above costs or more if the it's a complete redo, however sometimes properly placed trees and other focal points can be pruned and salvaged to keep the costs down.
A typical landscape lighting package with smart phone control and LED lights typically will start in the $4,000 and up range. This could include uplights on the house, trees, and other focal points. Also, path lights, pillar, wall, and post lights can be included depending on design and preferences.
A simple paver walkway without steps can start in the $7,500 range. A more exquisite paver walk including steps and/or other details like a seating wall or pillars can cost in excess of $12,000.
A simple paver patio without steps or additional details usually starts around the $15,000-$25,000 range. Building a more exquisite paver patio with steps, walls, pillars, and lighting will typically be in excess of $30,000-$50,000 range.
Adding a built in grill with bar seating usually starts in the $20,000-$40,000 range. This could include a Weber built in grill, or better, and granite countertops on top a block and masonry structure. Adding features such as refrigerator, cabinets, etc., will add $1,500-$4,500 to the cost for some of these features.
An in-ground concrete/granite pool will typically start in the $90,000 range with standard prolific features and controls. Permits, grading plans, and electric are included. This budget does not include any patio, coping, landscaping, fencing, or grading and seeding. Please see additional budgets below. Prolific will coordinate with another pool builder of your choice or our recommendation to complete a fiberglass or liner pool project. A fiberglass in-ground pool will start in the $80,000 range. An average in-ground liner pool may start in the $60,000 range. Regardless of pool type, preferences of a spa will add about $15,000 to the budget.
Waterfalls and additional features will add more costs to the project and might require an additional pump/equipment. Natural cascading boulder waterfalls typically start around $15,000 and up depending on details, size, and even lighting options.
A simple paver patio and bullnose coping around an average size pool usually starts in the $25,000 range and up. This price includes additional work around the pool to ensure that nothing settles around the pool edge. A concrete patio with cantilevered bullnose coping typically starts in the $15,000 range and up depending on textures and overall size.
Landscaping and grading around the pool is in the $20,000 range and up. This would include some focal point trees or privacy trees. Along with shrubs, perennials, boulders, bedding, and lawn grading. Some considerations with a pool project are current and proposed grading and drainage, this may include additional retaining and grading at completion of project.
Fencing around a pool typically starts around $9,000 and up depending on number of gates surrounding an average size pool. Fencing in the entire property along with the pool will add to the above cost.
A simple built in wood burning firepit start around $2,500 and up, adding a gas burner and log set to a firepit can add an additional $4,500 to the cost.
A fireplace built with wall block and stone accents will start in the $18,500 range and up. A complete masonry fireplace with stone veneer usually starts in the $25,000 range and up. The following details will add to the cost such as size, stone accents, wood boxes, or gas insert.
A wooden pergola will start in the $5,500 range and up with necessary staining periodically. A vinyl pergola will typically start in the $7,500 range.
A simple free-standing pavilion built onsite and wired for electric will start in the $14,500 range and up. This includes posts set on footings with exposed wood stained cathedral ceiling. Adding stone pillars to the base can add $8,000 to the cost. A patio roof attached to the back of the house with similar details will usually start in the $25,500.
ideal budget for projects
Our philosophy is simple. We center everything around you, out client, to ensure complete satisfaction. Our mission is to design and build beautiful, innovative, outdoor spaces for you, your family and your friends to enjoy and create memories for a lifetime. We want to change the way the world perceives contractors by excelling in communication, integrity, relationships, and design! Follow below so you know what to expect when starting the process with prolific.
sharpening our pencils
Meet with the lead designer, for an in-person consultation at your home. During this consultation, the following items will be assessed:
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Property’s lay-of-the-land and site topography
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Existing landscape design and how it will tie into the new space
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Scope of new outdoor living space – priorities vs. wish-list items
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Inspiration or ideas from client
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On-the-spot ideas, solutions, and design direction from designer
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Project budgets – is the budget realistic for the priorities above?
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While most projects will need a 3D design, some may not. This will be determined at this initial meeting
in-person consultation on site after the discovery call
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A well-developed design is our priority at Prolific. We create custom outdoor living spaces that excel in aesthetics, functionality, materials, and craftsmanship. To begin the design process, we require a design deposit-to-proceed payment. Once paid, we create a project profile on Buildertrend, providing you with an interactive platform for all project-related files, messages, invoices, and schedules.
The design phase is crucial and should not be rushed. We approach it as creating art on a large, living canvas. This project is a lifetime investment for your family and home. Taking the necessary time allows us to develop a vision and bring it to life, ensuring a space that caters to every season of your life. Leaving adequate time for this process will ultimately serve you well.
Once the design is completed, we schedule an in-person review at our design center. During this meeting, we unveil your project in 2D and/or 3D, discuss any desired changes, and choose specific materials from our onsite displays. We understand the importance of flexibility, and revisions are included in the design fee. Our goal is to provide a completely custom and unique design, tailored to your preferences and requirements.
design
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After the design and estimate looks good to you and is inclusive of everything you are wanting for your project, we enter the contract process. Our contract language is listed beneath the estimate, so all you must do is hit the sign in person or hit the ‘Approve’ button and sign your digital signature to accept the estimate.
Once the contract is approved in Buildertrend, you will be able to:
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view contract
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view schedule
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view and approve design selections
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view and approve change orders
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pay invoices and change orders
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access your project files / documents
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view construction and completion photos
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view construction updates from your project manager
contract
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You will experience a great group of team members building and executing your project. Our communication is consistent. If you ever have a question, you can come to us at any time and you will receive a timely response. We will find creative, impactful solutions to issues that may arise. We are problem-solvers, not problem dwellers. Now, watch us get our hands dirty!
putting our hands in the dirt
Once the contract is signed and the deposit is paid, we add your project to our Master Schedule, providing a rough estimate of the projected start date. However, please note that this timeframe is subject to various factors. Two significant factors that can extend the timeline include obtaining permits and securing materials. An exact start date is typically confirmed about a week or two before construction begins.
Weather conditions play a crucial role in outdoor projects, and unfortunately, they are beyond our control. For instance, if there were two weeks of continuous rain in April and your project was scheduled for June, it would not only delay your project by two weeks but also impact prior, concurrent, and subsequent projects. Weather-related issues can cause additional complications, such as working in muddy conditions or pumping water out of a pool's excavation.
Other factors that can cause scheduling delays include clients adding more work to projects ahead of yours, delays in material availability, freight or delivery issues, manufacturing or fabricating delays, unforeseen site conditions, and changes in the project's material or scope. Despite these challenges, we strive to honor our commitments and work diligently behind the scenes to commence your project as soon as possible.
scheduling + pre-construction
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Sit back and relax as we handle all the bureaucratic requirements for your project. We take care of preparing zoning and building permits, which are submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the project start date. The cost of preparing these permits is already included in your contract. We may request specific details about your township, and from there, we handle the process.
We prepare various documents, including a 2D layout indicating the proposed plan's dimensions and distance from property lines, completed zoning and building applications required by local authorities, pool construction plans with electrical and plumbing details, material sheets showcasing pavers, walls, copings, pool and auto cover colors, landscape plans with planting details, gas line schematics, gas appliance loads and specifications, fire-pit and fireplace burner details, elevations demonstrating finish heights, and the existing property survey.
When we are just a few days away from starting your project, we will arrange a Pre-Construction Meeting at your home. During this meeting, our project manager will review the contracted scope of work and provide a layout of the site. It's an ideal opportunity for you to address any questions or discuss changes you would like to make at that stage.
zoning permits, building permits
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As the sun rises on Day 1, you sit peacefully savoring your morning coffee, when suddenly, a symphony of sounds fills the air. Truck doors slam shut, trailers clatter, and equipment hums with energy. Our dedicated crew has arrived, ready to transform your backyard into something extraordinary. Yes, the construction phase may be loud, messy, and draining, but it's also incredibly exciting, beautiful, and rewarding. Remember, this temporary chaos will pave the way for a breathtaking end-product that will make it all worth it.
Let's be honest, there may be moments during construction that test your patience. The noise, the mud, the dirty driveways, and the equipment's impact on the grass—all these can be frustrating. Weather and material delays, unexpected underground obstacles, changes in site conditions, neighbors' complaints, budget adjustments, feeling overwhelmed, communication hiccups, and unexpected costs—these challenges may arise along the way. But fear not, for we are here to guide you through this exhilarating and occasionally challenging process. At Prolific, we are not just builders; we are great communicators who will provide unwavering support every step of the way.
Rest assured, we strive to minimize the disruption to your daily life. We stage equipment and materials thoughtfully, keeping your site as clean as possible. Let's shift our perspective and see issues as opportunities for innovative solutions. Sometimes, what initially appears as a problem can become the very thing that elevates your project to new heights. While not every situation is ideal, let us embrace a positive mindset and tackle any hurdles together. We are a united team, determined to transform your vision into a reality, and we will go above and beyond to ensure your journey with us is as smooth and rewarding as can be.
ready, set, build!
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