What better way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life than with your very own private oasis. You don’t need much to transform your backyard into a sunny retreat. A green wall, a few garden chairs, and some artistic sculptural elements are more than enough to create an inviting retreat.
But before jumping to buy that new grill or those cozy chairs, you should think about the brick patios cost. After all, you don’t want to set that fancy table on grass, right?
As with any major project, there are some things to consider before kicking it off. Read on to find out which are the essential ones.
1. Permit
Being a significant addition to your home, you have to check with the local building department on the building codes and zoning. Not all municipalities have the same regulations (some may not even require a permit.) In most cases, however, you will have to submit the plan for the municipality to revise and, if needed, modify it until it meets their standards.
2. Taxes
Your taxes will likely increase depending on the cost of the construction and the value it adds to your house. There’s no standard amount nationwide, so you’ll have to ask your local tax advisor on what to expect from such a project. These future expenses could influence the course of your project, so make sure that you have all the numbers.
3. Budget
When you’re planning your budget, don’t include just the costs of the materials and the contractor (if you get one) but of the permit as well. Understand that the budget is not set in stone since taxes and future maintenance expenses might require you to make some adjustments.
Ensure that you have a complete overview of the materials. Besides the bricks, you’ll also need to consider the costs of purchasing base-layer (sand, gravel), managing drainage and grading issues, sod, grass seeds, and plants. Don’t forget about the mulch since you might need it to repair the area around the patio.
4. Needs
Think about how are you going to use the patio. Is it for the kids and pets to play around? Do you plan to just chill out at the end of the day? Do you envision lots of parties with your friends? Take these factors into account to design a patio that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
5. Climate
If you live in an area where hot temperatures get off the charts levels and don’t want to fry on your patio even when you’re under the shade of an umbrella, you’ll want to consider materials that reflect heat, such lighter colored roofs made of metals with low thermal mass. Insulation will help not only in the warm seasons but the cold ones as well.
6. Style
Before choosing your bricks, take a close look at the architectural style and design of your house. The patio should fit like a glove in there, and not stand out in a bad way.
7. Seating
Before thinking about built-in settings, you should consider what other furniture or accessories you want to incorporate. Even though built-in patio seating looks great – albeit a bit uncomfortable – you need to think of its functionality as well. Take into account the fact that these accessories tend to take a lot of space and crowd your patio. Imagine holding a dinner party and seeing your guests bumping into each other all the time because there’s not that much room to move around.
Incorporate other seating options and leave space for other items, such as an art piece or a grill.
8. Contractor
Don’t hire the first contractor you find. Research different companies and compare their prices to find the best deal for your needs and budget. Look for licensed and insured contractors with workers that are trained and certified in the industry. Make sure you understand what their offer contains and what every step of the project implies. Ask if they warrant the price, quality, and craftsmanship and request references.
These are the most important factors that you should keep in mind when deciding to install a brick patio. Then, you can go forward with peace of mind.
