Custom Outdoor Living Spaces

A patio is just the surface — brick, stone, or pavers underfoot. An outdoor living space is the patio plus everything that makes it usable: a fire pit or fireplace, a built-in grill or kitchen, seating walls for gathering, and sometimes a pergola for shade. Most projects start as a patio and add features over time.

Most outdoor kitchens take roughly two to four weeks, depending on complexity, weather, and coordination with other trades like plumbing, gas, and electrical. A simple grill island goes faster; a full kitchen with utilities and custom counters takes longer. We give you a realistic timeline during planning and keep you updated throughout construction.

We recommend freeze-thaw rated pavers, natural stone like bluestone or limestone, and quality concrete products built for our climate. These materials flex with Michigan's freeze-thaw cycles instead of cracking. We avoid porous materials that absorb water and spall in cold weather, since that's what fails first on poorly built outdoor spaces here.

Permit requirements vary by municipality. Most outdoor kitchens with gas or electrical require permits. Many fire pits don't require permits if they meet size and setback requirements. We guide you through the permit process and verify all work meets local codes.

Yes. We specialize in matching existing brick, stone, and mortar so new outdoor features look like they've always belonged to the house. We source materials that match your color, size, and texture, and tool the mortar joints to blend with the original. A cohesive match is what keeps additions from looking tacked on.

The ideal construction window in Michigan is late spring through early fall — roughly May through October. We need the ground thawed and reasonably dry for base preparation and footing work. We start booking spring projects in February, so planning ahead helps secure your preferred timeline.