OUTDOOR

DESIGN

DELIVERED.

“Our team is here to guide you through your outdoor transformation.”

~Sam & Landon Costa

HOW WE WORK.

Your vision is our passion. Our simple design system allows us to efficiently identify your desired outome and piece together the outdoor space you have been dreaming of.

Step 1:

Contact

Step 2:

Meet & Discuss

Step 3:

Site Evaluation

Step 4:

Design Process

Step 5:

Presentation

Step 6:

Plan Finalization

Step 7:

We Go To Work

Step 8:

Project Completion

Step 1:

Contact

Step 2:

Meet & Discuss

Step 3:

Site Evaluation

Step 4:

Design Process

Step 5:

Presentation

Step 6:

Plan Finalization

Step 7:

We Go To Work

Step 8:

Project Completion

DESIGN INSPIRATION

AQUASCAPES

POOLS & PATIOS

LANDSCAPING

FIRE FEATURES

LANDSCAPING

KITCHENS & BARS

TRANSFORM
YOUR
OUTDOOR
SPACE

Our pool deck looks amazing. The guys at Surface Design were awesome to work with. They are extremely knowledgeable, professional, skilled, and love their craft. The best experience we’ve had with any of our major home projects. We would absolutely recommend them and look forward to having them complete more projects for us!

Ashley DeChellis

Happy Pool Deck Customer!

PROJECT TIMELAPSE

We’ve put together some timelapse videos from beginning to end so you can a glimpse into how we work. There are few better feelings than that of a positive transformation.

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Step 1:

Contact

Typically, a need or want will prompt a search for a route to fulfillment.  In our industry, contacting a service provider is the first step.  While walking you through our process we would like to share feedback and examples from one of our post project case studies. Ultimately, the service provider’s ability to be a single source of all services required within the scope of a project is a significant benefit to the customer.

We purchased a new home on a lot with a stunning view, but with landscape design challenges.

~Arrington

Let’s discuss your outdoor space!

Step 2:

Meet & Discuss

One of the most important factors in our success is the willingness and ability to try and fully understand what the customer wants to accomplish.

Ideas: What does your vision look like? We encourage sharing all of the information you have used to get to this point in your process. Pictures, sketches, videos, verbal explanations, and whatever else you have.

Needs vs. Wants: Projects can be driven by one, the other, or both. Sharing a list of each is extremely helpful. What are the tangible things you want to have. What are the functions you are looking for? Pool, patio, firepit, water feature, landscaping, ability to cook outside, and so on.

Ultimate Goals: What are the things you want to achieve in this process? What are the real results you are looking for? Hanging out with family and friends more, being able to relax by the fire, creating privacy and a space to decompress.

Budget: Some customers have a hard number in mind. Some customers have a range they would like to stay in. Some aren’t sure what a good budget number would be for their project. Ultimately though, every customer has a range that they are comfortable with. There is no wrong answer. Each project is different.

We needed help in designing and installing a landscape plan that would take advantage of the view and work with the unusual topography. Think about what it is you want to create; find visual ideas you love on Pinterest and share them with the Surface Design team. The rule of thumb is to spend 10-20% of a home’s value on landscaping. For an extended family that spends so much time outside, we appreciate having several beautiful outdoor spaces we use all year round.

~Arrington

Let’s discuss your outdoor space!

Step 3:

Site Evaluation

Once we have the background information about the project from our meeting.  We will perform a site evaluation.  We typically walk the site taking into consideration the details you have shared with us.  We collect additional information to aid in the design and proper execution of all installations.  Pictures, video, measurements, elevations, sun exposure, drainage and lines of sight from neighboring properties to name a few.

Identifying and understanding all the variables of the site is critical to the success of each project. Using this information to help guide designs and material selections, produces results that are unique, beautiful and lasting.

~Landon, Surface Design

Let’s discuss your outdoor space!

Step 4:

Design Process

At this point we now have the information required to create something that’s going to fit the customer. 40+ years of combined design and installation experience allows us to not only apply the vision, check the boxes on needs and wants, create a clear path to the goal but to do so at an appropriate price point. 

The design stage truly is one of the best parts of the process. Each design is challenging in its own way. Each has its own balance between form and function to be applied to its unique site.

 Appropriate choices need to be made on materials and processes within each discipline involved in the project. As a result, the development of one clear comprehensive plan to turn the dream into a reality is produced. 

Using natural sandstone boulders along with irregular precast steps worked well to frame out the waterfall and hillside. Adding in sun loving and wind tolerant evergreens and deciduous trees and shrubs helped to anchor down the design. Lastly adding color pops and contrasting textures with perennials will bring this project to life!

~Sam, Surface Design

Let’s discuss your outdoor space!

Step 5:

Presentation

Once the design is completed, we are always excited to meet with the customer. The presentation of big picture. It is not just a concept, it’s a clear plan to execute the design plan.

  • Professional Drawings and Estimate
  • Detailed explanations of the materials and why they were chosen
  • Plant material list with detailed information on each plant
  • Details of options, sizes, colors, etc.

This provides us with the opportunity to address any concerns or issues. Additions, subtractions maybe a swap on a plant variety. This is the comprehensive paper version of the vision. It’s also the perfect point in time for you, to once again to re-evaluate and fine tune if needed.

Having Sam quote [the project] was such a positive experience.  The landscape plan he presented incorporated elements that made our landscape cohesive and functional for our family. We were extremely impressed with your flexibility as we discussed incorporating our existing design with pool and patterned concrete that were already in place.  You took our existing plan and made additions and changes that solidified a cohesive design. Being a master gardener, I also had a lot of plant requests that were incorporated into the plan.

~Arrington

Let’s discuss your outdoor space!

Step 6:

Plan Finalization

Based on the feedback from the presentation, we will make any changes that are required.  We produce a revised drawing and estimate as well as revised versions of all other materials that we originally presented to you. Once things are finalized, an accurate timeframe for your project can be established. The contract can be signed, and your project will be on the schedule!

“If there was something that did not feel right to [Surface Design] or us, we changed it. For example, we added a stone walkway through the landscape that was not in the original plan. Besides adding functionality, this walkway allows us to be “in” the landscape, experiencing the visual beauty that was created on either side with a great view in every direction.”-Arrington

~Arrington

Let’s discuss your outdoor space!

Step 7:

We Go To Work

The plans have been laid.  The details have been made clear.  Now it’s all about execution.  Our crew is highly skilled, trained in the best practices and held to Surface Design’s time-tested standards.  Everyone involved in your project is capable, qualified, efficient and fully invested in the project.  Everyone on site knows your project well.  They have been involved in many aspects of the process: the site data collection, specifications of products, sourcing, scheduling, planning and so on.  The entire team is familiar with your dream.  We work together to make your dream a reality.

Sam and Landon’s team were respectful of us and our property and always pleasant to work with. It was fun to watch the team work together. It is apparent that they truly like working together.”

~Arrington

Let’s discuss your outdoor space!

Step 8:

Project Completion

The tranformation is complete! Given we communicate with our customers throughout the entire process, all that’s left to do is a final walk through of your unique project. 

Our walk-through transitions into your first experience of your “ultimate goal”.

Watch full project timelapse video.

You have a great system here! Trust these guys, they know what they are doing.

~Arrington

Let’s discuss your outdoor space!

Aquascape inspiration

Pool & Patio inspiration

landscape inspiration