GardenStructure.com treats design and build as two separate things. When we design for you, you’re not tied to us. You can take our plans and approach any builder you like. We don’t play shell games by bundling design into the build price the way many builders do.
We are architectural designers first, so our design services aren’t limited to decorative outdoor work. We also build, in a defined geographic area, because building keeps us current on real-world construction detailing and methods, the kind of knowledge that doesn’t come from schooling alone.
Do You Just Design, or Do You Actually Build?
Both. We build in a tight geographic area from Niagara Falls to Peterborough to Muskoka, plus a builder partner in Michigan, with more American builders coming in the months ahead. Outside that build area, or anywhere in the world, we still design, worldwide except China, India, and Pakistan.
Three Ways to Start a Build Project
1. You already have architectural plans.
Email us your plans (PDF is best), your contact info, and photos of the house where the deck is going, including photos of access to the site. We’ll review everything and ask a few questions during a quick phone consultation, then meet on site with a proposal and walk the project through with you.
2. It’s a simple deck, similar to something in our portfolio.
Use our deck price calculator: input your size and options and get a price immediately. The calculator gives a range, actual site conditions and final details may shift the number, but your final build cost will generally land within that range. Call us to schedule a meeting at a local showroom or your home.
3. You’re not sure what you want yet.
Fill out our contact form and tell us your vision. Photos of your home are critical, we design off the architecture of the house itself, so the more photos and the more detailed your wish list, the better. We’ll schedule a design consultation (in-home or by phone, a fee applies, see below) and start suggesting options, shapes, and sizes. When you’re comfortable with a direction, we sign a design agreement and the design proceeds. This is a creative process and can take days or weeks, it can’t be rushed.
Design-Only Clients
Fill out our contact form and share whatever you can, photos, inspiration images, your wish list, just copy and paste it in. We’ll do a quick call to talk through your project and see if working together makes sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a design consultation cost?
$100 to $1,000, depending on project complexity and how far we have to travel.
How long does the process take?
Anywhere from a day to several months, it depends entirely on the project. A simple deck can be sketched, contracted, and built in 4 to 8 weeks. A complex project can take months to design, months to get permits, and many months to build.
What if I’m outside your build area but want a full build, not just design?
We’re happy to refer you to a local builder near you. We review their build photos to get a sense of their work. We can’t guarantee performance, but this has worked out very well for our clients in the past.
Is the calculator price final?
It’s a range. Site conditions and final details can shift the number, but your final cost generally lands within it.
Who handles permits?
We can, but most building departments make it easy for homeowners to DIY that process themselves, and paying us to handle it is comparatively expensive.
If I buy a design, do I own the rights to build it?
Yes, you own the rights to build it once with any contractor you choose. Commercial use of our details requires a separate agreement.
What materials do you work with?
Everything: wood, cedar, hardwoods, composite, PVC, steel, aluminum, and stone. Given recent tariffs, we’re sourcing more locally than we used to.
Is there a warranty?
Only on builds. Design is a guideline, artistic license is assumed and required in construction.
How many design revisions are included?
One revision is included free. Beyond that, we’ll let you know the fee before proceeding, it’s a simple fee-for-service model.
Is there anything people commonly misunderstand about working with you?
Not really, we communicate directly and clearly, and you have Lawrence’s direct number if you have questions.