Should You Pay for an Outdoor Living Design?

Why Professional Designs Protect Your Budget, Timeline, and Experience

You’ve Met the Contractors, Now What?

You have done the hard part. You researched contractors, scheduled consultations, and welcomed multiple professionals into your home. Now you are facing the next big decision: should you pay for an outdoor living design, and if so, why?

In this edition of Beyond the Build, Darby and Nick Liput of Rocky Mountain Outdoor Living unpack one of the most misunderstood parts of the outdoor construction process: designs. From pricing and change orders to project experience and contractor accountability, design work plays a far larger role than most homeowners realize.

This guide explains when designs are necessary, what different design levels mean, how much they cost, and how they protect you from costly surprises.

Why Outdoor Living Designs Matter More Than You Think

Many homeowners believe designs are primarily for visualization, helping them “see” the finished space. While that is helpful, visualization is not the primary value.

The true purpose of a professional design is clarity.

A design allows a contractor to:

• Price accurately

• Identify site challenges early

• Reduce change orders

• Build exactly what was agreed upon

Without a design, contractors are forced to make assumptions. Those assumptions often lead to revisions, delays, and unexpected costs once construction begins.

The Hidden Cost of Skipping Design Work

Change Orders Add Up Quickly

Change orders are not always the result of bad contractors. Many are caused by incomplete or missing design documentation.

For example:

• A patio bid that is flat may require a retaining wall once excavation reveals a slope

• Elevation changes may require additional structural support

• Materials assumed by the contractor may differ from what the homeowner envisioned

These issues are not visible from simply standing in a backyard. A design calls out:

• Elevations

• Dimensions

• Material types

• Quantities

• Structural requirements

When projects are bid from professional designs, change orders are significantly reduced.

Real-World Example: Why Designs Prevent Jobsite Delays

As a hypothetical scenario of what could transpire without a design, we will use this example: during a swimming pool project, excavation began only to reveal that the pool would sit more than four feet above the ground, something not identified in the original drawings.

The result?

• Crews and equipment were mobilized

• Construction stopped on day one

• Engineers had to redesign structural elements

• Costs increased dramatically

This type of delay impacts both the homeowner and the contractor. Proper design work would have identified the elevation issue before construction ever started.

How Designs Improve the Overall Construction Experience

A well-designed project:

• Starts smoothly

• Moves efficiently

• Minimizes surprises

• Aligns expectations between homeowner and contractor

Even with designs, construction can present challenges. However, designs dramatically reduce risk and improve communication throughout the process.

Most importantly, they give homeowners confidence. You know exactly what you are paying for, how it will look, and how it will function within your space.

Understanding Different Levels of Outdoor Living Designs

Not all designs are created equal. Pricing and complexity vary based on scope and detail.

Common Design Types and Price Ranges

Basic 2D Designs ($500–$1,500):

• Black-and-white layouts

• Basic dimensions

• Limited material detail

Color 2D Designs ($1,000–$2,500):

• Enhanced visual clarity

• Preliminary material selections

• Better homeowner understanding

3D Designs ($2,000+):

• Realistic renderings

• Improved visualization

• Strong alignment between vision and final product

High-End, Multi-Layer Designs ($10,000–$40,000+):

• Hardscape, plant, irrigation, lighting layers

• Architectural integration

• Precise specifications for bidding and construction

The more layers included, the more protection you have as a homeowner.

Do You Always Need a Design?

When Designs Are Less Critical Initially

For very simple projects, such as basic sod, irrigation, or rock installation under $20,000, initial design work may not be necessary. A marked-up plot plan can be sufficient.

However, a signed design should always exist before construction begins, regardless of project size.

Why Designs Create Apples-to-Apples Bids

One of the biggest frustrations homeowners face is wildly different contractor pricing.

Without a design:

• Contractors choose different materials

• Scope varies from bid to bid

• Comparisons become nearly impossible

With a design:

• Materials are specified

• Quantities are defined

• Scope is consistent

This allows you to compare bids accurately and confidently.

Who Should Create the Design?

Ideally, your design should be created by:

• The contractor you trust most, or

• A qualified independent designer whose plans you own

When you pay for a design, you own it. That means you can take it to multiple contractors for bidding.

If a contractor cannot offer design services or lacks a relationship with a professional designer, it may be a red flag regarding their planning process.

Design Revisions: Why They Matter

Designs are not one-and-done.

A professional design process allows for:

• Revisions

• Refinement

• Alignment with your long-term vision

Making changes on paper or on a screen is far less expensive and far less stressful than making changes during construction.

Design Timelines and Payment Expectations

How Long Designs Take

Quality designs take time. Expect:

• Several weeks for completion

• Longer timelines for complex or multi-layer designs

How Designs Are Paid For

• Designs under $3,500 are typically paid in full up front

• Designs between $5,000–$10,000 may be split into milestones

• Large-scale designs often follow structured payment schedules

Payment structures should always be clearly defined and documented.

Final Thoughts: Designs Are Your Blueprint

Trying to build an outdoor living project without a design is like asking a contractor to bake a cake from a picture with no recipe.

Designs provide:

• Direction

• Accountability

• Protection

• Confidence

They elevate the entire experience for homeowners and contractors alike.

At Beyond the Build, our goal is to educate homeowners so they can make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and enjoy a smoother, more rewarding outdoor living journey.