7 Best Outdoor Living Space Contractors to Hire Near You
You want to transform your outdoor space into something special. But finding the right contractor feels overwhelming when you start looking. Do you need a landscape designer? A deck builder? Someone who handles hardscaping? The options blur together as you scroll through search results and directory listings.
Each type of contractor brings different skills and expertise to your project. Some focus exclusively on wooden structures like decks and pergolas. Others specialize in stone patios and outdoor kitchens. A few can handle your entire vision from concept to completion. Choosing the right fit depends on what you want to build, your budget, and how involved you want to be in the design process.
This guide breaks down seven types of outdoor living contractors you can hire near you. You'll learn what each one offers, when to use them, what questions to ask before signing a contract, and what to expect for pricing. By the end, you'll know exactly which contractor matches your project needs and how to move forward with confidence.
1. Wrmth heated outdoor furniture
Most outdoor living space contractors focus on building structures, but Wrmth takes a different approach. Instead of constructing decks or patios, this Canadian manufacturer creates heated Adirondack chairs that extend your outdoor season into cooler months. You add warmth directly to your existing outdoor space without tearing up your backyard or installing gas lines for patio heaters.
What this option includes
Wrmth chairs feature integrated heating elements that provide therapeutic dry heat while you relax outdoors. The Summit model brings direct warmth to your body rather than trying to heat the air around you. You get North American manufacturing quality built specifically for outdoor durability on decks, docks, and patios. The chairs plug into standard outlets and deliver consistent heat that helps with pain relief from conditions like chronic back pain or arthritis. Your existing outdoor living space gains functionality without requiring permits or contractors to install foundations.
When to hire this option
You should consider Wrmth when you already have an outdoor living area that sits unused during spring and fall. This works best if you want to extend your season without major construction projects. Property owners who value comfort during cooler evenings find these chairs solve the problem of abandoning outdoor spaces too early each year. Hospitality businesses like resorts, restaurants with patios, and golf courses also use heated furniture to keep guests comfortable outdoors longer.
Adding heated furniture transforms an existing space into year-round usable area without the cost and disruption of construction.
Questions to ask before you commit
Ask about delivery timelines since Wrmth currently offers early access through their Indiegogo campaign for spring 2026 deliveries. Visit our Indiegogo Campaign Early Bird Sign-Up to join the early access list. Confirm the power requirements for your space and whether you have accessible outdoor outlets. Request information about warranty coverage and what maintenance the chairs need for outdoor durability. Check if bulk pricing applies if you need multiple chairs for a commercial property.
Budget and pricing expectations
Heated furniture pricing sits between basic outdoor chairs and major construction projects. You avoid contractor fees, permits, and installation costs that come with building new structures. The investment focuses on enhancing what you already have rather than starting from scratch. Commercial buyers can request dealer information for volume orders.
2. Full service outdoor design build firms
Full service outdoor design build firms handle your entire project from the first sketch to the final walkthrough. These outdoor living space contractors combine architecture, design, and construction under one roof. You work with a single team that manages every phase, which means no juggling between separate designers and builders. The unified approach eliminates coordination headaches that happen when multiple contractors work independently on different parts of your project.
What this option includes
These firms provide complete design services including 3D renderings and material selection before any construction begins. You get professional architectural plans that consider drainage, sun exposure, traffic flow, and how your new space connects to your existing home. The same company that designs your outdoor kitchen, patio, and landscaping also builds it. Services typically cover permitting, excavation, structural work, hardscaping, outdoor kitchens, fire features, lighting, and landscaping. Your project manager coordinates all trades including electricians and plumbers.
When to hire this option
Choose a design build firm when you want a cohesive outdoor living area but don't have clear plans yet. This option works best for complex projects that need multiple elements like combining a covered patio with an outdoor kitchen, pool deck, and landscaping. You should hire design build when you value having one point of contact who owns the entire project outcome. Properties requiring significant grading, drainage solutions, or structural work benefit from this integrated approach.
Design build firms take full responsibility for your project success because they control both planning and execution.
Questions to ask before you commit
Request to see completed projects similar in scope and budget to what you're planning. Ask how they handle change orders and what's included in the base contract versus optional upgrades. Confirm who will manage your project daily and how communication happens during construction. Check if they carry proper licensing, insurance, and offer warranties on both materials and workmanship. Find out their typical project timeline and how weather delays get handled.
Budget and pricing expectations
Design build firms typically charge more upfront than hiring separate designers and builders, but you avoid coordination costs and change order surprises. Expect pricing to start around $50,000 for modest projects and exceed $150,000 for comprehensive outdoor living spaces. You pay for integrated service, project management expertise, and the guarantee that design intent translates into finished quality. Most firms require deposits before design work begins and structure payments around project milestones.
3. Specialized deck and porch builders
Specialized deck and porch builders focus exclusively on elevated wooden structures that extend your home's living area outdoors. These outdoor living space contractors develop deep expertise in wood selection, structural engineering for elevated platforms, and building code compliance for railings and stairs. You get craftspeople who understand how different wood species weather over time and which fastening systems prevent warping and splitting. Their narrow focus means they perfect techniques that general contractors only handle occasionally.
What this option includes
Deck specialists design and build multilevel decks, screened porches, three-season rooms, and covered outdoor structures using wood, composite materials, or PVC decking. You receive proper structural support including footings, posts, beams, and joists engineered for your local snow loads and building codes. The work includes railings, stairs, built-in seating, and pergolas that integrate with your deck design. Most firms handle permit applications and inspections required for elevated structures. Some builders also install under-deck drainage systems and low-voltage lighting.
When to hire this option
You should hire deck specialists when your primary goal involves creating elevated outdoor living space rather than ground-level patios. This option works best for properties with sloped yards where elevated decks make more sense than extensive grading. Choose these builders if you want expert advice on material durability and maintenance requirements for your climate. Properties needing replacement of existing decks benefit from specialists who understand structural issues that develop in aging wood platforms.
Deck builders bring focused expertise that matters when building elevated structures that must safely support people and furniture for decades.
Questions to ask before you commit
Ask to see previous projects using your preferred decking material and request references you can contact. Confirm they carry general liability and workers compensation insurance that covers elevated work. Check how they handle warranty claims on both materials and labor. Find out if they subcontract any work or employ their own crews. Request a detailed timeline showing when they'll complete framing, decking installation, and finishing work.
Budget and pricing expectations
Deck builders typically charge $35 to $55 per square foot for pressure-treated wood decks and $50 to $75 per square foot for composite materials. Complex designs with multiple levels, custom railings, or integrated features increase costs. You pay separately for additions like pergolas, privacy screens, or under-deck systems. Most contractors require 25% to 30% deposits and tie remaining payments to construction milestones rather than hourly rates.
4. Hardscape and paver installation pros
Hardscape and paver installation pros specialize in permanent stone, brick, and concrete features that create ground-level outdoor living areas. These contractors focus on materials that withstand weather without rotting or requiring annual maintenance like wood structures. You get experts who understand proper base preparation, drainage solutions, and jointing techniques that prevent settling and weed growth between pavers. Their technical knowledge of compaction, edge restraints, and polymeric sand application makes the difference between patios that last decades and ones that sink or separate within a few years.
What this option includes
Hardscape specialists install interlocking pavers, natural stone patios, retaining walls, walkways, and outdoor kitchen foundations. You receive detailed site grading that directs water away from your home and prevents pooling on finished surfaces. The work includes excavation to proper depth, geotextile fabric installation, multiple layers of compacted base material, and precision paver placement. Most contractors also build seat walls, fire pit surrounds, and steps using coordinated materials. Some firms partner with manufacturers like Unilock or Belgard and offer design services using their product lines.
When to hire this option
Choose hardscape pros when you want durable ground-level outdoor living space contractors can build without ongoing maintenance demands. This option works best for properties with drainage challenges that need professional grading solutions. You should hire these specialists if you're planning outdoor kitchens, fire features, or pool decks that require stable, non-combustible foundations. Properties with challenging soil conditions or slopes benefit from contractors who understand proper base preparation and retaining wall engineering.
Hardscape installations transform muddy or unusable yard areas into permanent outdoor rooms that handle heavy furniture and foot traffic year after year.
Questions to ask before you commit
Request examples of projects completed at least five years ago so you can see how their work holds up over time. Ask about their base preparation methods and what depth they excavate for different applications. Confirm they provide written warranties covering both settling and material defects. Find out if they handle all excavation and grading work themselves or subcontract it out. Check what happens if pavers need replacement years later and whether they keep extra materials for future repairs.
Budget and pricing expectations
Hardscape projects typically run $15 to $30 per square foot for basic concrete pavers and $25 to $50 per square foot for natural stone installations. Complex patterns, multiple materials, or curved designs increase labor costs. You pay separately for retaining walls, outdoor kitchen foundations, or extensive grading work. Most contractors require 30% to 40% deposits before material ordering and structure remaining payments around excavation completion and final installation milestones.
5. Landscape design and installation firms
Landscape design and installation firms bring living elements into your outdoor space through professional plant selection, irrigation systems, and softscape features. These outdoor living space contractors understand how plants grow in your climate, which species thrive in shaded areas versus full sun, and how to create year-round visual interest through strategic layering. You get designers who see your yard as a canvas where texture, color, and seasonal changes transform basic hardscaping into complete outdoor rooms.
What this option includes
Landscape firms provide site analysis, planting plans, soil amendments, and installation of trees, shrubs, perennials, and ground covers. You receive irrigation system design and installation that delivers water efficiently to different plant zones. The work includes drainage solutions, grading, topsoil placement, and mulching that creates healthy growing conditions. Most firms also install landscape lighting, garden beds, and incorporate hardscape elements like pathways and borders that complement plantings. Some companies offer maintenance contracts to protect your investment after installation.
When to hire this option
You should choose landscape firms when you want to soften hardscaped areas with living elements or create privacy screens using evergreens instead of fences. This option works best for properties with bare yards that need complete landscaping plans. Choose these specialists if you value professional plant knowledge that prevents costly mistakes like placing sun-loving plants in shade or selecting species that outgrow their space. Properties with erosion problems or poor soil conditions benefit from contractors who understand grading and soil improvement techniques.
Landscape professionals create outdoor spaces that mature and improve over time rather than simply deteriorating like non-living structures.
Questions to ask before you commit
Ask to see photos of completed projects from different seasons to understand how their designs perform year-round. Request their plant guarantee policy and what dies gets replaced at no cost. Confirm whether they carry proper licensing for irrigation work and pesticide application if those services matter to you. Find out if they provide maintenance services or can recommend reliable companies for ongoing care.
Budget and pricing expectations
Landscape installation typically costs $4,000 to $20,000 for basic residential projects and $20,000 to $75,000 for comprehensive designs with mature trees and extensive plantings. You pay separately for irrigation systems ($2,500 to $7,500) and landscape lighting. Most firms require 50% deposits before plant ordering since living materials have limited return options.
6. Pool and spa outdoor living specialists
Pool and spa outdoor living specialists design and build complete aquatic environments that become the centerpiece of your outdoor space. These outdoor living space contractors combine water features with surrounding hardscaping, landscaping, and entertainment areas to create resort-style backyards. You get professionals who understand pool engineering, water circulation systems, and how to integrate hot tubs, swim spas, and water features into cohesive designs. Their expertise covers both the technical requirements of water containment and the aesthetic elements that make poolside areas inviting year-round.
What this option includes
Pool specialists handle in-ground pool installation, hot tub placement, swim spa integration, and surrounding deck or patio construction. You receive complete engineering for plumbing, electrical systems, filtration, and heating that meets local codes. The work includes pool coping, surrounding hardscape using slip-resistant materials, retaining walls, and waterfall or fountain features. Most contractors coordinate pool house construction, outdoor showers, equipment screening, and lighting that creates ambiance after dark. Many firms also install safety fencing, automatic pool covers, and outdoor kitchens positioned for pool entertainment.
When to hire this option
Choose pool specialists when you want aquatic features as your primary outdoor living element rather than adding a pool to an existing patio. This option works best for properties with adequate space for proper setbacks from property lines and utility easements. You should hire these contractors if you need comprehensive knowledge about pool maintenance systems, energy-efficient equipment, and local permitting for water features. Properties in warmer climates or those planning four-season rooms benefit from specialists who understand heating solutions that extend swimming seasons.
Pool and spa contractors create outdoor spaces where water becomes the organizing principle around which all other elements revolve.
Questions to ask before you commit
Request examples of completed pool projects with surrounding outdoor living areas to see their full design capabilities. Ask about their warranty coverage on both pool structure and equipment installations. Confirm they handle all permitting, inspections, and utility coordination required for electrical and plumbing work. Find out if they provide post-installation maintenance services or training on equipment operation.
Budget and pricing expectations
Pool and spa projects typically start at $50,000 for basic in-ground pools and range from $75,000 to $150,000 for comprehensive designs with surrounding outdoor living features. You pay separately for hot tubs ($8,000 to $20,000), pool houses, and high-end finishes. Most contractors require substantial deposits of 40% to 50% before excavation and structure payments around completion of major construction phases.
7. Commercial patio and rooftop contractors
Commercial patio and rooftop contractors specialize in creating outdoor dining and entertainment spaces for restaurants, hotels, office buildings, and multi-family properties. These outdoor living space contractors understand commercial building codes, ADA accessibility requirements, and structural loads that differ significantly from residential projects. You get professionals who navigate complex permitting processes, fire safety regulations, and occupancy limits that govern public gathering spaces. Their experience with high-traffic commercial installations means they select materials and construction methods that withstand constant use while maintaining appearance over years.
What this option includes
Commercial contractors provide structural engineering for rooftop weight loads, waterproofing systems that protect buildings below, and drainage solutions that handle heavy rainfall without leaking into occupied spaces. You receive installation of commercial-grade furniture anchoring systems, wind-rated pergolas and shade structures, and gas lines for outdoor heaters and fire features. The work includes ADA-compliant ramps and pathways, commercial lighting that meets code requirements, and irrigation for rooftop planters. Most firms coordinate with building engineers, architects, and property managers to ensure installations don't void warranties or violate lease agreements.
When to hire this option
Choose commercial contractors when you need outdoor revenue-generating space for your hospitality business or employee amenities for office buildings. This option works best for rooftop installations where structural analysis and waterproofing expertise prevent catastrophic leaks. You should hire these specialists if you need coordinated permitting across multiple city departments and inspections that residential contractors rarely handle. Properties in urban areas with strict building codes benefit from contractors who maintain relationships with local building departments.
Commercial outdoor spaces require specialized knowledge that prevents costly mistakes when structural integrity and public safety intersect.
Questions to ask before you commit
Request examples of completed commercial projects similar to your property type and ask for property manager references. Confirm they carry commercial general liability insurance with limits appropriate for public spaces. Check whether they provide ongoing maintenance contracts or emergency repair services after installation. Find out their experience with your specific building type and local jurisdiction's permitting process.
Budget and pricing expectations
Commercial projects typically start at $75,000 for basic patio expansions and range from $150,000 to $500,000 for rooftop installations with full amenities. You pay premium rates for structural engineering, commercial-grade materials, and extended warranties that cover high-traffic use. Most contractors require 30% deposits and structure payments around inspection milestones rather than simple completion phases.
Next steps
You now understand the seven types of outdoor living space contractors available and what each one delivers. Your choice depends on whether you need new construction, want to enhance existing space, or plan a complete backyard transformation. Start by defining your primary goal (new deck, patio installation, or extending your outdoor season) before contacting contractors. This clarity helps you find specialists who match your project scope instead of wasting time with mismatched consultations.
Request detailed quotes from at least three contractors in your chosen category and compare their warranties, timelines, and payment structures. Check licensing, insurance, and recent project photos before making deposits. Your outdoor space represents a significant investment that should deliver years of enjoyment when built correctly.
If you want to maximize your existing outdoor area without construction delays or permit headaches, consider Wrmth's heated outdoor furniture. You add year-round comfort to decks and patios you already own. Join their Indiegogo early access list for spring 2026 delivery and transform how you use your outdoor space during cooler months.