Friday, December 14, 2012



Winter is an excellent time to seek value in patio hardscapes.  You may not be thinking of having Christmas dinner outside, but it could cost you to wait until your first backyard BBQ is around the corner to upgrade your outdoor living environment.  All the contractors worth their salt are met with a barrage of anxious customers when that first warm Colorado day heralds spring.  The schedules fill up fast, stretch throughout summer, and priority work comes at a premium.  Every year I speak to a few homeowners who are trying to build a patio or an outdoor kitchen in time for their son’s graduation party or a daughter’s wedding.
During the “off season” contractors definitely have the capacity to plan & estimate your project, and if weather permits, they may have the motivation to work at reduced margins to benefit their labor force, which might be facing a diminishing workload.  If you are flexible enough to let them work around the weather, winter construction can present an excellent value.  If maximum value is the primary consideration, tell your contractor. They may be able to find specials on certain material, but be open to suggestions.  If timing and budget is more of a concern, you can schedule the construction and cost in the early spring, and you will still reap the benefit of good planning with a contractor motivated to earn your business.
At any time of year, don’t make price your only concern when shopping for contractors.  Less qualified tradesmen can feel more pressure to undercut a competitive market, which usually leads to an installation that does not meet minimum specifications.  You want the job done right and you want it to stand up to the harsh elements of the Front Range.  Longevity must be figured in to the value of any construction project, and sometimes a dollar spent today is worth several 10 years or more into the life of your investment. Ask neighbors for referrals or consult a resource like Arbor Valley who has developed a network of qualified, screened landscape contractors.  Suppliers who are familiar with their customer’s expertise can be a valuable resource in narrowing the pool of appropriate candidates.