Category Archives: Archadeck of Central GA

Archadeck of Central GA, Outdoor kitchen

Want to make your Macon outdoor living space sizzle this season? Try adding a little green.

macon GA-green egg-outdoor kitchen lr
Take a look at the perfect Big Green Egg cooking space we built at this Macon GA home. You want your cooker to be on a secure base right at the perfect height.

Spring has sprung in the Macon and Warner Robins area and with it marks the debut of the outdoor living season. Part of what makes outdoor living so much fun is outdoor dining and food preparation. Being in the business of designing and building outdoor living spaces, we have seen our fair share of grills, smokers and other outdoor cooking implements come and go. However, in our experience, among the flurry there is one outdoor smoker that is tried and true — the Big Green Egg.

Green egg-Macon GA-deck
Here’s another great way we can integrate your cooker into your Macon and Warner Robins area kitchen. With this method, you have built in counter space to put your spatula and zesty cooking sauce.

Archadeck of Central GA has had many customers design their outdoor living space, or outdoor kitchen addition, with an Egg as the center of attention. You can expand your outdoor food preparation capabilities by adding an Egg to your list of amenities. In our experience, many homeowners opt for the larger size when considering it within their outdoor addition. Since these cookers are quite heavy, a stationary location can make functionality run smoother by integrating the Egg into an outdoor counter top at grilling height. This will safeguard against tipping the Egg and it looks great when built into your outdoor living space.

The Big Green Egg is widely acclaimed as the original American-designed ceramic cooker and this modern culinary marvel stands alone as the most versatile barbecue and outdoor cooking product on the market. Eggs offer more capabilities than all other conventional cookers combined. From the perfect steak, melt-in-your-mouth ribs to appetizers, the Egg is a perfect addition to your outdoor kitchen.

Stephen Denton Archadeck Augusta square lrContact Archadeck of Central Georgia to learn how we can take your everyday backyard area into something beyond the usual, something extraordinary. We can take the potential your outdoor living area already has and improve upon it, or even build your dream backyard starting from scratch. Call for a free consultation: (478) 745 – 2000 or email:centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Archadeck of Central GA, Outdoor fireplace

Playing with Fire Safely on Your Warner Robins Central GA Deck or Patio

Warner Robins GA firepitAs the weather moves from winter to spring, we are anxiously awaiting spending time on our decks and patios. Although it’s hot as blazes during the summer here in Central GA, fire features continue to be tremendously popular. We actually receive requests for fire features year round, probably because they’re not just about fire. What’s one of the quintessential memories of childhood? How about the memory of roasting marshmallows over an open flame on a hot summer’s night. Fire pits have many uses, only one of which is heat.

As builders of custom fire features, we are often asked, “Can we safely have a fire pit as a part of our deck or patio?” The answer is, “Yes! Absolutely!” There are; however, some safety considerations to bear in mind.

Do you want a fire pit that is permanent or removable?

All fire elements come in a wide range of styles and options. How you plan on using them is key. On one side of the outdoor fire spectrum, you have pre-fab kits, both wood burning and gas, that can either be permanent or removable. Opposite pre-fab are custom built fire structures that can be tailored to meet your family’s specific needs. If you are not going to use your fire feature very often, or if you are only planning on being in your home for a short time before you relocate, then it would probably be wise to simply purchase a movable fire pit from one of your local big-box stores and install it yourself. However, if you love a natural fire, find the beauty of flame alluring year round, and can see enjoying it as a fun activity for many seasons, then considering a more permanent, custom fire structure is certainly worth investigating.

Additional options to consider are size, shape, and the fire’s fuel. Traditionally, wood burning fire pits are either square, round or rectangle in shape. For a more modern take on outdoor fire pits, natural gas structures can be constructed into any configuration, including curves and non-traditional widths. Natural gas fire elements can also be incorporated as an outdoor lighting element for year round entertainment. As such, they can incorporate a variety of fillers, from standard lava rocks to exotic glass beads and “gemstones” which come in a range of colors and styles.

Decking Choices and Fire

porch fireplace Macon Warner Robins GARegardless of whether you decide to use a permanent or removable fire pit, your decking choices also have to be considered with your installation, not only for safety, but also for the care and maintenance of your deck or patio. Fire pits do not come with screens and if they are wood burning, can “spit” hot embers. So, you will always want to supervise a live fire, especially one with wood, sticks, leaves, and other organic timber. If you have a deck built with low-maintenance composite timbers, such as TimberTech® or Fiberon, you will need to use extra care to ensure that burning coals do not escape, because they will immediately begin to burn and mar the surface, which is very costly and sometimes impossible to easily replace. A well-qualified builder will plan for the use of stone or other hardscape elements into the design and surround of your fire pit, so that this is not an issue. Stone decks and patios are regarded as spark resistant. Remember, with all fire: before you leave, make certain that the fire is out!

Fire Pits vs Outdoor Fireplaces

For several years, we have continued to see in Central GA a rise in requests for outdoor fireplaces. Whether you choose a fire pit or a fireplace is completely up to your budget and needs. For cost-savings, most homeowners choose ventless fireplaces. There are many factors to consider with outdoor fireplaces, including the materials used and proximity to your home. Generally, outdoor fireplaces are at the top-of-the-line in materials and cost when it comes to adding a fire feature to your home.

Stephen Denton Archadeck Augusta square lrWhatever your choice, you can see that playing with fire safely on your Warner Robins Central GA deck or patio is easy to do. Contact Archadeck of Central Georgia to learn how we can take your everyday backyard area into something beyond the usual, something extraordinary. We can take the potential your outdoor living area already has and improve upon it, or even build your dream backyard starting from scratch. Call for a free consultation: (478) 745 – 2000 or email:centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA

 

Archadeck of Central GA

Goodwill, great jobs, and blessings abound

pollys hospA few years ago, I became involved at Goodwill of Central GA. At the time, I had no idea how it would change my life. My late wife Polly was an excellent chef, a dreamer, and we together were good friends of Jim Stiff. These three things came together at Goodwill. Jim’s goal was to grow Goodwill into brave and bold new directions. He would visit my wife and I, and share his dream. Polly, the eternal enthusiast, knew it would come to life and indeed she was instrumental in making it happen. Goodwill of Central GA now has the first licensed, nationally accredited, post secondary school in the Goodwill network. When she passed, I joined the board to continue her legacy and to carry her eternal enthusiasm and cooking passion forward.

Helms College now has 2 local culinary colleges here in Macon and Augusta. Central GA area aspiring chefs no longer need to travel to Atlanta to get a great education in cooking. Making this school happen was a long process and it has been a joy to be part of the education committee even chairing the committee at one point. In addition to my involvement in the Helms College Macon Augusta cooking pastry schoolHelms College arm, I also joined the Board of Directors back in 2007 serving as secretary. In 2013, I sadly reached my term limit on the board but luckily a year off was the only requirement before rejoining the board.

Throughout my time working with Goodwill, I’ve realized that not everyone knows what Goodwill does. Everyone is familiar with the clothing stores and the Goodwill drop off locations. If you think Goodwill is in the clothing business, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Goodwill is in the business of creating jobs, locally, for those with barriers to employment. The Goodwill company started over 110 years ago when Dr. Helms envisioned an organization that would give to people while helping them to help themselves. He realized that it’s better to give someone the means to improve their life instead of giving them handouts. In fact Goodwill’s philosophy is “a hand up and not a hand out”. In 2013, Goodwill of Central GA provided services to more than 21,000 individuals with barriers to employment. Some of these barriers include disabilities, lack of work history and recipients of government support programs.

I mentioned above that this Goodwill is different. In addition to Helms College, Goodwill has a contract with Fort Gordon and Warner Robins Air Force Base that employed 226 disabled employees in 2013. That same year, the Job Connection served over 20,000 job seekers and placed almost 3,000.

Holidays are a time of reflection, appreciation, and aspirations for the coming year. In counting my blessings, after my family, being a part of Goodwill ranks up there in the most important blessings in my life. If you are interested or you know someone who is interested in a great local cooking college, check out the Polly Long Denton School Of Hospitality website.” If you are looking for employment, here is a link to Goodwill’s Job Connection. If you would like to donate and you are not sure of collection locations, here is a list of locations. Here is a list of Goodwill retail locations. The newest addition is Helms Career Institute.

Goodwill Gala Christmas 2014 Denton family
My family at this year’s Goodwill Gala
Archadeck of Central GA, Porch builder/contractor, Screened porches

This Perry GA screened porch refurbish solved lots of little problems with one elegant solution

screen porch-perry georgia-grill deck lr
Here’s a picture of their new porch in Perry GA.

As a long time Central GA porch builder, we love referrals.  It’s great when someone likes our work enough to refer us to their friends and family.  We know what a tremendous compliment that is. In this case, we built a project for one customer who referred us to a second customer – who we built a project for. Then, that second customer referred us to these homeowners.

These Perry GA homeowners had a screened porch that no longer reflected their lifestyle. The porch was a menagerie of its prior inhabitants: the floors and roof were a mish-mash of past projects and, while it was still structurally sound, it was not up to code.

This is what it looked like before

The client wanted a space that would allow them to enjoy fresh air and not block their yard view from the living room and kitchen. After a consultation about what they liked and disliked about their existing structure, we created a design to accomplish all their objectives.

Once we had a plan in place, we set to work.  The first priority for this project was to bring the porch up to code to ensure safety, so we laid beams under the deck and attached them to the house for a firm foundation. We didn’t want the wonderful view to be obscured by too much sectioning, so we changed out the walls and supports in order allow the homeowners to really enjoy being in their yard.  The original porch had seven different screen sections in one wall; we reduced it to four by adding a beam which really opened the porch up.

screen porch-perry georgia-proposal lr
Our design drawings help our customers see what their project will look like when completed

The design drawing helps our customers know what their finished project will look like.[/caption]Archadeck thinks carefully about the flow of each project– good flow ensures that the space will be useful and beautiful, not just structurally sound. The placement of the original door created traffic problems, forcing anyone walking to either cut through the middle of the room or to awkwardly skirt the edges. We fixed this by moving the location of the door to the side to allow for quick and easy travel.

We solved the owner’s mosquito issue by placing screened walls at the bottom of the deck, denying the pesky bugs access through the floor. The old lattice was tired, so we created a proper foundation with new latticing to mirror the structure of the screening. Before the renovation, beyond the door, there had been only stairs. We gave our family a side deck with space for a full grill that they could use for summer barbecuing. As a final design touch, we installed white porch screens, so the exterior could be painted to match.

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GAIf you are considering creating a great new outdoor living space for your Macon/Warner Robins area backyard, or if you want to give a fresh new look to your existing backyard space, give us a call for a free consultation. Together we will work to identify the best structures and materials to create the perfect outdoor living space just for you.

Call: (478) 745 – 2000

Email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

 

Archadeck of Central GA, Outdoor rooms builder/contractor, Porch builder/contractor, Porches

Archadeck of Central Georgia builds an open porch in Warner Robins GA that opens up a world of outdoor living possibilities for these homeowners

Poolside open porch in Warner Robins GA
Here is a peek at this lovely poolside open porch addition in Warner Robins!

Take a look at our recently completed project in Warner Robins GA. Our assignment was to come up with a roofed outdoor design to convert a patio into a covered patio/open porch. The homeowners had a raised concrete patio with brick skirting. The homeowners shared their need for relief from the hot sun that constantly beat down on the patio. They wanted a refuge from the heat and a place to cool off and relax after a swim in their backyard pool which is a few short steps away. They wanted a shaded area on the patio so they could utilize the space for what it was meant for.

Beautiful rustic interior shot of open porch in Warner Robins GA
Overcoming the obstacle of the home’s interior cathedral ceiling made for a stunning finished porch interior– breathtaking!

Several other builders looked at the project and each informed the homeowner that the design they had in mind just wasn’t possible. The biggest issue was the way the design and structure would attach to the back of the house. The home’s interior had a 2-story cathedral ceiling so there were no floor joists to connect to. In order to accommodate their desire for a covered porch space, we had to design a dual roof tie-in to make the structure fit. We used a combination shed and gable roof. We had to do some really unique things to make the structure sound. These included adding collar ties and using some innovative corner posts to support the roof. We then shared the drawings with the local inspector to have the design blessed before we began. We also contacted the county to make sure the footings were inspected properly. Many contractors would not have gone the extra mile to ensure approval of the design. Archadeck of Central GA always takes extra measures to ensure our projects will be approved by inspectors when we’re finished.

The guttering feeds down into two rain barrels enabling the homeowners to use the water collected for other purposes within the landscape — the new addition is built with an eye on recycling natural resources with less of an impact on the environment!

Before open porch
Before
Lovely view of open porch from across pool by Archadeck of Central GA
After.

The project integrates the wrought iron railing and large columns that were already part of the existing patio. The completed structure is very large and quite dramatic. It adds loads of beauty and appeal to the home, the pool and the landscape. These Warner Robins homeowners are elated with their new outdoor oasis and cannot wait to test it out once the hot Georgia afternoon sun reaches its fevered pitch. The new covered patio/porch has opened up a host of outdoor living possibilities.

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA

If you have an outdoor oasis in mind for your backyard and have been told the design you have in mind is not possible, contact Archadeck of Central Georgia. Our innovative backyard living designs go the extra mile in terms of beauty, enjoyment and possibilities. (478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Please visit our porches photo gallery and our patio and hardscapes photo gallery located on our website  for more unique examples of our unique outdoor room designs.

 

Archadeck of Central GA, Deck builder, Porch builder/contractor, Professional outdoor structure builder

Avoid the hurry up and wait mentality when it comes to bringing your outdoor living space dreams to life this Spring with Archadeck of Central GA

North Macon covered porch builder
Are you dreaming of a covered porch or spa deck for the spring?

Lots of things in life come with a “hurry up and wait mentality”, but designing and building your outdoor structure should not be one of them. Here at Archadeck of Central Georgia, we cannot stress the importance of not waiting until the arrival of spring to think about planning and building your anticipated outdoor space. This is especially important if you want  to enjoy your space in time for the outdoor living season ahead. Homeowners often ask us when is the optimum time to plan on having us build their outdoor structure? the answer is, there is never really a wrong time to begin your outdoor living space project, but there are advantages to building during the winter months.

pool side deck and pergola-macon GA
Pool side deck and pergola in Macon, GA.

Unlike being at the fever pitch of the outdoor living season, when the climate and timing is more conducive to utilize your space, winter construction has a shorter wait time. Gaining approval through HOA’s and permitting will take less time. The backlog for materials and labor is also smaller which makes the wait-time minimal in most cases. Making the decision to build now will ensure being able to enjoy the benefits of your new structure sooner and in plenty of time for warm weather. Keep in mind, when dealing with a quality builder wait times can be longer, especially during the busy Spring season. Deciding to begin your project now can reduce those wait times by half or more.

In some cases building your structure in the colder months can save you money too. You may see a decrease in the price of materials during the winter, a good example of this is lumber which is generally less during the winter because of supply and demand. In addition, if you intend to finance your new outdoor structure, the interest rates are extremely low right now. Our current standing in the economy can mean a lower payment each month on your new structure. Lower interest rates can save you a tremendous amount of money in the long run.

Choosing to build now will  also impact your lawn, landscape and lifestyle less than if you chose to build during the spring and summer months. Wet turf damages more easily, as does turf that is under heat stress from temperatures and higher humidity. Building in the colder season will ensure you avoid both of these obstacles. It is also important to note that along with perennial grasses, most shrubs and plants are in their dormant stages during the fall and winter. During dormancy, these plantings are less likely to experience damage from having to be trimmed, pruned or altered to accommodate the addition of a backyard space. Construction during the winter, when plants are in dormancy, will cause less of an interruption in your life since most people use their yards less during these months. This means the noises and materials will be less of an annoyance than they would be when you are using the yard a lot during the spring and summer months. Out of sight means out of mind.

Design rendering for Rivoli Rd sunroom and deck
We prepare a detailed design rendering as part of our design process.

When considering getting your outdoor structure project underway, timing can make a huge difference in the outcome. Our timeline on starting new construction has a quicker turn-around time during the winter than many would think.

From the time Archadeck of Central GA initially schedules your consultation you can expect to wait only one week to meet with us in person to discuss your ideas, and another week to put together your proposal. Once we have agreed upon your design, the backlog to break ground is about two weeks right now. The backlog will begin to grow the closer we get to spring. If you want your outdoor structure completed in April for example, it is imperative to start planning your project in January or February to ensure that goal is reached. These estimates are based on the type of outdoor structure you have in mind as well, as decks take approximately two weeks to complete, and porches can take up to four weeks.

Pressure treated deck Central GA
Have your outdoor space up and running in time to enjoy the first signs of spring!

Keep in mind that we can also build your outdoor structure combination in stages. With this in mind, winter is the perfect time to start the first stage of your desired outdoor living project. If you are considering a deck and patio combination for example, you can take advantage of our staged building option and begin your deck this winter, then we can add the patio during the spring or summer. With our staged building program the choice is yours. Contact Archadeck of Central GA today to learn more.(478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA

Take a look at more inspiring outdoor living spaces sure to give you spring fever by visiting our decks, porches and outdoor room photo galleries located on our website!

 

Archadeck of Central GA

Buyer Beware: Archadeck of Central GA warns homeowners to be wary of the contractor who gives you a quote on the spot, and here is why…

Porch - Westchester - Macon GA
Part of choosing the right builder for your outdoor space is knowing the builder has your best interests in mind.

You have probably often heard the phrases “the early bird gets the worm”, or “Johnny on the spot”  in regard to being eager and motivated and getting things accomplished. While being the early bird is a plus in many aspects, being too eager and not factoring in important details can mean that being first in line can pan out last.  As an outdoor living space builder I get asked all the time during the first meeting to guess a ballpark figure of how much a project will cost. One of the worst things I can do is throw out a number. Here’s why.

Archadeck of Central Georgia does all of our pricing through a computer and innovative software that dictates price through pricing models. These pricing models take into account the width, depth, height off the ground, shape and various material needs in each project we do. It is a very sophisticated, yet accurate process, and I am constantly amazed at how bad my guesses are once I have compared them with the computer results. I have been designing and building outdoor structures since 1999, and even with my background and experience I guess too high on one out of three quotes, too low on one out of three and in the ballpark ( but not a home run), with one in three! With this in mind, the worst thing I can do is guess at a price or set a homeowner’s expectation on something I cannot deliver.

In our last story, we discussed how a design can dictate the price. The real question that needs to be addressed prior to throwing out any numbers is how much you want to spend on a project. Archadeck of Central GA ask three important  questions prior to giving any quote to ensure the customer gets the space they want at the price they can afford.

Before you go to any car lot, you know if you are looking for a Chevy or a Lexus. Before you go shop for homes, you know whether you are looking for houses priced at $250,000 or 500,000 just to name a couple examples. You don’t expect the Lexus dealer to give you a Chevy but you do need to know the range of investment and the level of quality you are seeking.

The three questions that any quality, experienced builder should ask their customer are:

#1) What do you want the project to look like?

#2) What function do you want to project to deliver?

#3) What is your economic investment? This ensures we can stay within the price range of what the homeowner is looking for.

North Macon GA Cypress covered porches
Deciding which primary aesthetics and function(s) you want in your intended outdoor space is just as important as knowing your budget.

In retrospect, if I am not able to get a homeowner to provide me with the answers to these three crucial questions, I typically do not get the work. It is however, not uncommon that there has to be some give and take on at least one of these areas. Archadeck of Central GA has built projects that are $4,000 and also projects in excess of $70,000, so we expect some grey areas.  The purpose of getting a customer to answer these questions is important because it gets clients to think about their situation which helps them determine how much money they are willing to budget for a their project because that is the question I cannot answer for them.

Archadeck of Central GA knows that the success of your project relies on the customer and builder working together towards a common goal.
Archadeck of Central GA knows that the success of your project relies on the customer and builder working together towards a common goal.

When you are comparing prices from one project to the next, unless you have written specifications and a drawing, or rendering, as well as methodology of the intended construction, then it is hard to only compare price. In the commercial world of building and design, architects design to certain specifications. These specifications are sent out to those bidding on the jobs and each contractor involved has to compile and deliver a quote based on the same specifications. This method ensures the purchaser knows that they comparing apples to apples and can make a well-informed decision based on the price supplied by those quoting the project. In residential outdoor design, the homeowner rarely if ever hires an architect. Therefore the customer and builder must work together towards a common goal and the builder must have ways to articulate exactly what their project includes.

Before you decide to go with the contractor who is the quickest to quote your project,take heed and proceed with caution because the ultimate success and happiness of your outdoor living space project is all about communication and details- something the “Johnny on the spot” builder is not prepared to deliver.

Remember that no two outdoor living spaces are created equal. Having an outdoor structure specialist designing your space can actually help keep the prices lower enabling a more suitable design for your individual needs. If you are ready to learn more about how we can enhance your outdoor living experience and stay within your budget, contact Archadeck of Central GA today(478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GAYou can see more examples of our versatile, high quality outdoor living spaces by visiting our decks photo gallery and our porches photo gallery located on our website.

 

 

Archadeck of Central GA

Archadeck of Central GA discusses the complexity of the answer to the million dollar question of “just tell me how much it is going to be” when it comes to outdoor space designs

Deck project in St. Croix Macon GA
Archadeck of Central GA explores the complexity of throwing out a “ballpark” figure before we have carefully considered all the elements that go into a custom outdoor space design

One of the most common questions I get from homeowners is “how much will it be?” This usually occurs during the first few minutes of my initial consultation with a prospective client and I have even been asked the same type of question over the phone when setting up the appointment for the initial consultation. I’m asked questions like “what is the square foot price” or “can I have just a ballpark figure?” I have to say, it still surprises me that so many homeowners assume coming up with an accurate quote for their anticipated project is as cut and dry as determining a price before we have even had a chance to factor in many important elements. After all, you would never dream of going to see a real estate agent and telling them you want a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home without first discussing your budget or the amenities you want the home to include, i.e.: neighborhood, one story, two-story, brick, or siding (just for starters). Asking what the price is before taking all details into consideration is nothing short of driving to the car lot and asking how much the car you have in mind costs per pound!

Proposed future design for Macon GA homeowners
As part of our design process, customers will get a 3D rendering of their intended outdoor space. This rendering helps customers better visualize how their space will look and function before construction even begins.

Archadeck of Central GA understands most homeowners want some idea of what they are getting into before getting too involved with the process, which is a reasonable request. The main thing to remember is, in most cases, the bottom line number for your quote usually comes in lower once we have input all the relevant information. There are many factors that come into play when putting together an accurate quote for a custom outdoor living space including materials, elevation, and the size of your space just to name a few.

Remodeling magazine puts out a cost/value report every year which covers a number of different remodeling projects. The report covers projects ranging from re-roofing your home to updating your kitchen and everything in between. The reports are specific to major metro areas. The Atlanta report is relevant to the Central GA region.  The report describes a typical 16  x 20 deck addition with standard construction of a simple style with a built-in bench and planter and assuming 3 steps to grade. The 2022 report indicates an average job of this status in Atlanta, GA will cost $16,558. The same report also contains pricing based on composite (low-maintenance) decking options at a cost of $23,259.

While you might expect that an experienced reputable custom builder might cost more, in both cases our price would likely beat the ones specified.

It is important to take all the factors of your project into consideration before throwing out a number, these factors include materials, elevation and size.

The design itself is what controls the price point. If you dramatically change the size of your intended space, that will influence the cost. However, project changes don’t always cause an increased price. Dimensional changes like making up some of the size in length rather than width can actually drive the price down instead of up. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of consulting with a professional outdoor structure builder. Here at Archadeck of Central GA we understand all the construction, design and material costs involved in a project. Taking advantage of our free design consultation will give you, and us,  a better grasp of the space that meets your needs and wants. It is always better to have a custom design that takes your functional needs, aesthetic needs and budget into account rather than opting for a “cookie cutter” outdoor design that could actually end up costing you more.

Remember that no two outdoor living spaces are created equal. Having an outdoor structure specialist designing your space can actually help keep the prices lower enabling a more suitable design for your individual needs. If you are ready to learn more about how we can enhance your outdoor living experience and stay within your budget, contact Archadeck of Central GA today (478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GAYou can see more examples of our versatile, high quality outdoor living spaces by visiting our decks photo gallery and our porches photo gallery located on our website.

Archadeck of Central GA

The Archadeck dream makeover contest is over but you can still live the dream in your Central GA backyard!

Central GA custom entry pergola into outdoor living space combination
This elegant entry pergola was built as part of phased building project we completed which encompassed multiple outdoor living structure additions over an extended period of time.

Archadeck recently completed its Dream Home Makeover contest and some lucky Iowa homeowners took the prize. Just because the contest is over doesn’t mean you can’t still have your own dream backyard! Many of our clients plan their dream backyard and build it slowly over the course of a 2, 3 or even 4 year period. Being able to build the backyard of your dreams in phases as your lifestyle and budget permit is all part of our phased building program here at Archadeck of Central Georgia. Many times, our customers will come to us with a master plan in mind for their backyard. Other times, we will work together with the homeowners to create a master plan. No matter what type of outdoor living space we discuss building for our clients; we always ask them about their future building plans because if they have hopes for expanding their backyard space in the future we can incorporate the structural requirements for future additions into the outdoor space we are building for them. The cost to build scalable foundations to expand upon in the future is very minimal and it is only a small additional cost to build a deck with the footings to support a future roof or porch. Here are some of the stories and happy endings from multi-year phased building projects we have completed for our customers.

Central GA 3 freestanding screened porch addition project
This screened porch overlooks the tranquil Koi pond, just as the vision these homeowners had imagined.

Our first story involves a backyard dream come true that involves four outdoor living projects within a 6 year period. The homeowners came to us with an elaborate idea of what they had in mind for their backyard. Their vision included a deck, screened porch, koi pond with an adjoining creek with an entrance into the backyard that featured a pergola.  Archadeck of Central Georgia went over their master plan and knew we would be able to complete their backyard vision over an extended period of time. We began the project by building the deck first, which down the road was converted easily into a screened porch because of the structural components we built into the deck from the beginning. The following year we completed a secondary portion to the deck and shortly thereafter we completed the remainder of the second deck. The screened porch was designed as a freestanding structure which sits above the lovely koi pond.

Central GA deck builders
This is the lovely deck Archadeck of Central GA built as one of the phases of this outdoor living dream come true!
Central GA freestanding 3 season room project
This greenhouse was also part of the master plan.

Our second focus project involves many different projects in one backyard and was built over a 3 year period. To add to the complexity of this project the homeowners were working on remodeling their house as well. We started this project with a rain deck built from aluminum LockDry. We then went onto build a greenhouse, and garden garage for them. Archadeck of Central Georgia also constructed a chicken coop pergola for these homeowners. The chicken coop pergola was designed with a closed in poured concrete area for the homeowner’s chickens and is probably the nicest chicken coop in the entire state of Georgia! The final stage of this project was to build an additional deck onto the side of the house for these customers.

Central GA custom chicken coop as part of phased bldg. program
This custom chicken coop has to be the finest chicken abode in the state of GA!
Central GA Koi Pond deck custom phased bldg. project
Notice how the deck is incorporated into the Koi pond- the ultimate relaxation spot.

These projects will give new insight into just a few of the benefits our phased building program can provide. Sometimes homeowners know they want a phased project, other times they know what they want but don’t know how they are going to bring their outdoor vision to life. Archadeck of Central GA can assist you in coming up with a master plan to obtaining the backyard of your dreams so it can evolve over time. The most important part of gaining direction over your backyard is to decide on the spaces you want it to include. We build a lot of decks for customers who intend to build a porch onto it afterwards. If there’s is even an idea of adding a porch, such as a screened porch later, keep in mind it is a minimal cost to build a stronger support system into the deck with that in mind up front. Waiting until later to add these supports will actually cost more. Another key item to keep in mind if you intend to add a hot tub to your outdoor space in the future is that they  will require special footings for safety and structural integrity and often these cannot be added later on down the road. In the case of hot tubs the amendments must be added at the time of construction. Another space upgrade worth mentioning to us is the probability of adding an outdoor kitchen in the future, this way we can plan the necessary fundamentals into your outdoor space up front to save you a lot of headaches, and money in the future.

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA

If you are ready to begin working towards fulfilling your outdoor dream backyard makeover, contact Archadeck of Central GA today to learn more about our phased building program that will make each outdoor transition easy and budget friendly.Call us today for a free consultation (478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

You can see more examples of successful backyard dream spaces completed via our phased building program by visiting our deck photo galleries and our outdoor living photo galleries located on our website.

Archadeck of Central GA

With outdoor kitchens, it starts with men’s favorite outdoor apparatus – the outdoor grill

North Macon outdoor kitchensOutdoor kitchens really revolve around the grill. The grill is the centerpiece of the outdoor kitchen because all food prep, cooking, and serving are dictated by the primary outdoor kitchen activity which is grilling. Finally mens favorite outdoor tool becomes the center of attention. The size of the bar, design of the bar, and placement of the kitchen revolve around the cooking apparatus. It has to be in a spot where the cook will enjoy cooking. It’s a great idea to have an overhang on the outside of the bar to allow people to congregate and interact with the outdoor chef.

The next steps in planning an outdoor kitchen are to determine other amenities and to determine materials. First let me say that outdoor kitchens are not for everyone. Although they’re very pretty and very functional; a lot of money can be wasted if the outdoor kitchen. People are often surprised by the cost of the outdoor kitchen. They can run anywhere from $10,000 – $30,000. This sounds like a lot but in comparison, an indoor kitchen remodel can easily be between $50,000 – $100,000. This sounds like a lot but in comparison, a kitchen remodel can easily be between $50 – 100,000. Indeed there are non-permanent grill/sink/refrigerator combos that can be purchased at big box stores. But, these won’t feel like an outdoor kitchen.

outdoor kitchen-warner robinsDetermining the other amenities is the next step in planning your outdoor kitchen. Options include a refrigerator, warming bins, drawer components, griddles or smokers, and possibly a sink. A refrigerator is a no brainer. It can be used to hold refreshments as well as items for cooking.

Next you’ll want to think about powering your outdoor kitchen. Do you want to have a functioning sink for food prep or rinsing? You may need to run water and sewer to the sink. Do you want a grill or other components that run on gas? You may need to run the gas line to the outdoor kitchen unit. Your kitchen will most likely have outlets to plug in blenders, lamps, or even laptops. This requires running electricity from the house. There are some ways to make this less expensive and we work creatively with our customers to create the space that’s right for them.

outdoor kitchen area-warner robinsFinally, decisions need to be made about materials. The kitchen surround can be brick, paver, stone, or even wood.  Then there’s the countertop. Like inside the home, you may use granite or quartz. There are good alternatives for outdoors that are less expensive but customers are often surprised that the countertop can be one of the most expensive elements of the outdoor kitchen.

From a construction perspective, this seemingly relatively small area can take a lot of hands to build. There may be up to 5 crews that are involved in building the outdoor kitchen. These include the framer, mason, plumber, countertop guy, electrician and the appliance guy.

If you’re considering adding an outdoor kitchen to your backyard, it can bring a whole new space to your home allowing hours of family enjoyment and entertaining possibilities. Although the project is certainly a bit more complex than it looks, there are ways we can help keep the price down. Give us a call for a free consultation about building an outdoor kitchen at your home. Call our office at (478) 745 – 2000 or drop us an email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GAFor more pictures, please see our outdoor kitchen photo gallery on our website.