Common outdoor renovation mistakes and how to avoid them

Posted May 28, 2020 in Blog, Decks, Fire Feature, General, Landscape Design, Patio and Walkway

Planning a deck, patio, pool, outdoor kitchen, or other backyard renovation project can be very exciting. However, many homeowners make minor mistakes that cause major frustrations throughout their projects and could result in wasting time, money, and space. At MasterPLAN, our goal is to guide you through every step of your backyard renovation so your project runs like a dream and doesn’t cause you to make costly mistakes.

This is why we are sharing the top 5 common mistakes homeowners make when starting a backyard renovation project and the steps we can help you take to avoid them:

  • Not having a clear vision

Once you start a project, changing your mind about the design can be costly. This is why it is important to have a detailed plan for what you want your backyard to look like. This will eliminate surprises and unexpected costs throughout construction.

At MasterPLAN, we begin every project with a full-color 3D design that will showcase your vision complete with vivid life-like imagery, day and night-time views, and allow you to explore every detail of your project. This will show you exactly what your new space will look like so you will never have to worry about any surprises as your vision comes to life throughout construction.

  • Rushing important decisions 

When you’re excited about your new space, you might be tempted to rush important decisions like structure, material, or finish selections. But, if you rush any decisions without the proper information you could end up spending more time maintaining your space rather than enjoying it.

At MasterPLAN, we utilize our experience to help you select durable, reliable, and versatile material that will stand the test of time, provide years of worry-free enjoyment, and fit your desired maintenance commitment. Our Love your Design Guarantee makes sure no decisions are ever rushed so you always feel confident and comfortable with your selections without ever incurring hidden design-fees.

  • Hiring the wrong contractor

Most contractors do not focus on design and the details that bring a project to life. So you could end up with a project that does not match the existing architecture of your home. Or a space that lacks detail. This is why a trusted, supportive, detail-oriented, and design-focused partner is important.

At MasterPLAN, we are designers that build. Not builders trying to design. With a passion for natural beauty and timeless designs, you will never have to worry about your project lacking innovative details that seamlessly tie into the existing architecture and features of your home.

  • Failure to obtain necessary permits

Obtaining a permit can be frustrating and time-consuming, but it is a necessary part of most outdoor renovation projects. So make sure not to skip this important step when planning a backyard renovation project.

To eliminate the hassle of permits, MasterPLAN handles all communication with your township or municipality and takes all the heavy lifting out of obtaining your permits. Our custom 3D master plan also helps HOA boards expedite your approvals by providing them with a full visual of your space along with background knowledge on how it will impact the surrounding areas.

  • Communication Errors

Minor communication breakdowns can result in costly mistakes and finger-pointing among trades. This is why communication is crucial throughout every step of your project. As a homeowner, you have a lot going on and probably don’t have the time to commit to the administrative nuisances or being the general contractor of your own outdoor renovation project.

When you partner with MasterPLAN we serve as your single point of contact and accountability throughout your entire project so you never have to worry about communication errors. We help you design the perfect space and then do all the heavy lifting to complete your build so you can remain focused on how you will enjoy your backyard!


Planning a new backyard should be a very exciting experience, but we get how overwhelming the process can be and we know that you don’t want to make mistakes that could be costly. You are not alone!

At MasterPLAN, we have partnered with hundreds of homeowners- just like you-  to build more than just a deck, patio, or pool. We helped them design and build an outdoor living space that maximizes their home value, helped them fall in love with their home all over again, and made their backyard a magnet to life’s most important moments!

Here’s how we do it:

Call –Schedule a design meeting!

Collaborate – Create your perfect plan!

Construction– With an approved design, construction starts!

Celebrate– Raise a toast in the backyard of your dreams!

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR DESIGN MEETING!

(610) 628-2480

In the meantime, sign up for more Design Tips and Tricks so you can avoid wasting time, money, and space by designing your new outdoor living space before we do all the heavy lifting to complete your build!

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