Four phases, one family
How a project comes together.
Every East Texas Outdoor Living project moves through four phases — consultation, design, build, and reveal. The phases aren't a sales gimmick; they're how we keep the work on track and how we set honest expectations about budget, timeline, and the result. Each phase has a real meeting and a real deliverable.
- 01
One visit · usually scheduled within a week
Consultation
We come out, walk the property with you, and listen. The first conversation is mostly questions — how you use the space now, what is missing, where the view is, what you are hoping to do, and what kind of budget makes sense.
We are not selling a fixed package at this stage; we are trying to understand the project. By the end of the visit you should have a clear sense of what's feasible and what a realistic next step looks like.
- 02
Typically two to four weeks
Design
Design is where the project takes shape. Materials chosen with samples on-site, layout sketched, scope nailed down, real numbers attached to real items. We bring stone samples to the property — natural light on Cedar Creek Lake matters when you're picking limestone.
By the end of design you should be able to picture exactly what you're getting — and what it costs. We don't move to build until that's clear, signed off, and the materials are sourced.
- 03
Two weeks to six-plus months depending on scope
Build
Build is the long part. Masonry takes time; mortar cures on its own schedule. We sequence the work so the messy structural pieces happen first — footings, retaining walls, fireplace foundations, conduit runs — and finish work happens last.
You will see us regularly during this phase. Same crew, same family. We communicate weekly about progress, weather delays, material arrivals, and anything that changed from the design. Surprises are part of construction; surprises we did not warn you about are not.
- 04
One walkthrough at the end of the build
Reveal
The walkthrough at the end isn't a formality. We walk the finished space together, explain how the fire feature is supposed to cure, how the lighting controls work, what to do (and not do) about cleaning the stone, and what kind of maintenance the masonry needs over the long term.
You should leave the walkthrough knowing your space — confident about how to use it, how to care for it, and who to call if something needs attention later. The same family.
A note on timelines
Construction timelines slip. We have learned to be honest about that up front rather than promise a date we can't keep. Stone delivery, weather, inspector schedules, and curing time all move on their own clocks. What we promise is communication — you will know what's happening and what's next, every week.
Ready for phase one?
The consultation visit is free, on-site, and usually scheduled within a week. We walk the property, listen, and come back to you with the right next step.