A SIMPLE GUIDE TO Outdoor Living at Your New Home
Building a Home: WELCOME, The journey towards building a new home can be both rewarding and exhausting. Many people can feel decision fatigue as a project progresses and they’re anxiously awaiting the day they’re moved in. Some experts claim that over 80,000 decisions are made during the average new home build. It’s no surprise people are tired of making decisions by the end!
Since your landscape, patio, pool, and outdoor living spaces are often some of the last features to go in, they’re often most affected by the results of decision fatigue and budget adjustments due to overages on the rest of the project. If this is you, don’t fret, it’s normal and totally okay. We’re here to help make the process easier while providing some tips and tools to help you along the way.
Asked Questions FREQUENTLY
My builder suggested a landscaper or pool builder and I’m not sure they’re the right fit. what do I do?
Remember that it’s your investment, therefore, you have total control over who you select to work on your project. If you’re not sure about their suggestion, interview other companies to find your ideal fit. We assure you, talented organizations are experienced at coordinating with builders or project management teams. The sooner the better. Some clients contact us before home plans are done so that we can provide insight into driveways, walks, pools, etc. If you’re further along in your process, it’s okay. Just know it can take 8-12 weeks to get on most companies’ schedules. When in the building process should I contact an outdoor living company?
How do I budget for the outdoor spaces?
The best budget is created after you’ve had your master-plan completed. Prior to that, reviewing case-studies and budgeting guides help you better understand investment ranges. WE HAVE CASE STUDY AND BUDGETING GUIDES AVAILABLE ON OUR RESOURCE PAGE!
Who designs and builds the outdoor spaces?
It depends on the company you choose. At High Prairie Outdoors, we design, build, and maintain all aspects of your outdoor living space in-house with our own teams. This includes patios, pools, outdoor kitchens, structures, landscape lighting, etc.
Signing and contract and approving a design is a huge shot of dopamine. You’ve spend time saving and planning, NOW it’s happening. EXCITEMENT!!! Besides schedule updates and material finalization, you’re waiting for your project start. This time period depends upon your contractor’s backlog. THE WAIT: ANXIOUS + READY Every projects starts with dirt, digging, and a lot of what feels like destruction. Things must be prepared before than can be built upon. It’s okay, demo is part of the plan. PANIC: DEMOLITION AND DIGGING Progress is great, but you’re tired of all the people at your home, equipment running, and unfinished spaces. The good news: Progress means you’re closer! FATIGUE: WHEN WILL IT END? THIS is what you waited for! The end result. Getting to experience your new spaces and share them with loved ones. Now, you can sit back and enjoy it all. WORTH IT! EURPHORIA + PRIDE
PROJECT Journey
The process of having a significant project completed is a rather emotional journey. There are five key stages and emotions related to a long project, which we’ve described here. These stages and feelings are normal and part of the process. By helping you prepare for them, you’ll have a smoother experience.
Avoid Common Pitfalls TIPS AND TRICKS
Be ready for scope items often missed in original builder quotes: 1. Grading/Soil Work Have your builder specify what soil grades (heights) they’ll leave around key areas to avoid a surprise change for soil. (We once had a client need an additional 300 yards!! You’ll still need to invest in soil, but at least it won’t be a surprise.) Grade near entrances Along foundations Along poured concrete Drainage New builds often stop your downspouts at your foundation. You’ll need to extend those downspouts out into the yard by burying them to get the water away from your foundation. Get the number and location of Pool Coping If your pool company and hardscape company are separate, ensure one of them has the coping and deck drains accounted for. (High Prairie does both, so it’s automatically included.) Disposal/Haul-Off Many pool companies and builders don’t include this, so plan for your outdoor living company to do this. Turf Repair/Sodding Ensure the square footage allotted actually covers the lot, or plan for additional sod. downspouts from your builder and ensure you have your landscaper bid them! (Ideally 10-15' away from home.) These missed items turn into change-orders that are added to your project. Not all change orders are bad, but they are additional investments.
Designing for Your Lifestyle TIPS AND TRICKS
TIPS AND TRICKS Designing for Your Lifestyle
WHO CAN HIGH PRAIRIE HELP?
IN-HOUSE DESIGN + CONSTRUCTION
IN-HOUSE FINE GARDENING + ENHANCEMENTS
OUR NICHE
HIGH-STYLE RESIDENTIAL
SERVICES
SERVICES
Ways our fine gardening and enhancement teams can help: Comprehensive, high- detail fine gardening programs tailored to maintain all aspects of the outdoor space: landscapes, turf, pools Robust seasonal color programs with exclusive palettes custom grown just for our clients Holiday lighting and display programs Pool maintenance Sprinkler care and maximization programs
We don’t pretend to be all things to all people. Our focus is solely devoted to designing, crafting, and nourishing the finest outdoor spaces for Kansas City’s most discerning families. This focus allows us to provide a level of care, detail, and product offerings that ‘normal landscape’ companies simply don’t have time to do. Our projects range from $35,000 to over $1,200,000. We design, build, and maintain almost ALL of our scope.
Ways our installation and design teams can help your connections: Landscape + Outdoor Living design Pool Design (Complete with engineering, geo-tech studies, etc.) Porcelain, paver, and stone patios/drives/hardscapes Pool, spa, and water feature construction Planting, grading, drainage Structures, decks, pavilions, and louvered pergolas. Sprinkler design + install
www.highprairieoutdoors.com.com
6116 Johnson Dr. Mission, Ks. 66202
+816-398-2901
Here’s what you need to know:
WE AREN’T MEMEBERS OF THE “ GOOD OL’ BOYS CLUB” We’re woman founded and run , which is rare in the construction and outdoor living world. When Robyn Schmitz founded our business in 2010, she dedicated her time to creating relationships with the builders and ‘known’ entities in KC... they laughed her out of their offices saying they had ‘buddies’ they send their business to. Today, we’re proud to have built our organization based solely on reputation, work history, and tons of repeat business . Our success was never handed to us by ‘buddies’ and you can rest easy knowing we’ve earned it. WHY WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO WORK WITH HIGH PRAIRIE? Nobody likes a bragger. However, if you’re considering investing thousands of dollars in your outdoor spaces, you should know some key details: We’re Kansas City’s only company to win multiple national awards of excellence in the luxury residential design/build categories. Our founder is an industry educator who travels the country in the offseason educating university students, national industry organizations, and other businesses. Since we teach other professionals across the nation, you can trust our expertise. Our hardscape construction methods were learned in Europe. Our craftsmanship and longevity are unmatched. You will have access to materials and products not available from anyone else in the region. WE DON’T HAVE “SEASONAL LABORERS” OR A SUBCONTRACTOR BUSINESS MODEL You can offer more stability, quality control, and reliability when you refer High Prairie. Why? Our HP Pro’s are year-round, local professionals who have been trained and educated. (Plus, they stick around... we have industry leading retention!) Since we self-perform over 95% of our scope, your clients won’t worry about the lack of quality control and reliability of a sub-heavy business.
Case Study
THE PROJECT Comprehensive, 6 Acre Design: High Prairie Outdoors Custom Gunite Pool, Sundeck, Infinity Spa: High Prairie Outdoors Renson Louvered Pergola, Glass Walls, Wood Screens, and Hidden Bathroom: High Prairie Outdoors Hardscaping: Patio, Steps, Walls, Kitchen, Masonry: High Prairie Outdoors Planting and Irrigation: High Prairie Outdoors Lighting: High Prairie Outdoors Challenging convention begins by seeking to improve broken systems or processes. At High Prairie Outdoors, we’ve listened to thousands of people when it comes to what frustrated them about “contractors” and “building”. We believe in the idea of helping others and perpetually improving, not just following status-quo. You’re about to discover just how different HPO is, by using this incredible Blue Springs, Missouri project as an example. You don’t have to settle for the “norm” and you don’t have to be fooled by low-ball contracts that skyrocket once construction starts.
Scan for a tour in winter!
HP LEGACY BUILD
By self-performing 95% of our work, our clients benefit in several ways: Consistent quality and standards, which are higher than the industry’s. Less production gaps waiting for the next company.
Control over the caliber of staff, their training, and how “Family-Safe” they are. Less mid-project change/orders and scope creep resulting from multiple companies trying to work in the same area. “Surprises”.
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ENGINEER Used HPO Design to create hydraulic and structural renderings/scope.
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ELECTRICIAN Electrical work for pool, pergola/room, and kitchen.
HIGH PRAIRIE OUTDOORS Internal Team of Certified Experts for Each Specialization
3 SHOT-CRETE SHELL The spraying of shot-crete pool shell
PLUMBER Gas Lines and Pool Connection
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ADD A HEADING Briefly elaborate on what you want to discuss. PLASTER/TILE Plaster truck and tile for pool waterline/infinity/swim ledge
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GRANITE COUNTERS Install of Kitchen Counter-Top
THE INDUSTRY NORM Subcontracting can be okay, BUT more subs = more risk for you. Here’s why: Less Stability- Presuming all 20+ companies are able to stay in business, fully staff, and manage their finances is a risk. Quality “Guessing-Game” - 20+ companies do not have the same quality standards. Ever. More “Costly Surprises” - More companies = more unclear areas in the scope. This results in less accountability, more change-orders, and the “blame-game”.
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TYPICAL “OUTDOOR LIVING” CO. Relies heavily on sub-contractors, but makes promises on things they can’t control
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It takes up to 23 companies to build the same project
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See Key on Next Page!
THE INDUSTRY NORM Staffing: How many of the companies perform background checks to ensure no violent history or theft? Staffing: How do those companies train and certify? Schedules: More gaps in production as your project stalls waiting for the next company to show up. WHO ACTUALLY TAKES CARE OF YOUR WARRANTY WITH 23 COMPANIES??? How does your “Contract Holder” manage quality when they don’t build it or possibly know how? What happens if even one of those companies gets sued?
KEY
0. Contract Holder
8. Irrigation
16. Plaster and Tile
1.Designer
9. Masons- Veneer
17. Soil Analysis
10. Hardscaper - Pavers/Walls
2. Engineer
18. Shot-Crete
3. Electrician
11. Granite Counters
19. Pool Jump-Start and Maintenance
4. Carpentry & Fencing
12. Low Voltage Lighting
20. Landscape Maintenance
5. Landscaper
13. Excavation
21. Artificial Turf
6. Renson Dealer
14. Plumber
22. Water Features
23. Bathroom: (Pergola/Pool-House with Hidden Full-Bathroom.
7. Pool Company
15. Foundation and Re-Bar
The Proven Process
Design Discovery + Consultation F ree meeting at our Design Studio where you: Learn your unique design style Learn about High Prairie Interview your designer and select design package Discuss budget ranges Review your Dream-Builder Form 2. Site Analysis Thorough site analysis completed by your design team: Measurements Drainage and Grades Architectural and Existing Element Analysis Soil Analysis Design Opportunities 3. Design + Proposal Review concepts with designer remotely or at studio if part of design package. Presentation at Studio If you wish to reserve a spot on the schedule, a signed contract and retainer will be required. 4. Project Planned + Crafted Finalize materials and order. Selections are final once approved and ordered. Your project team creates a project plan complete with milestones and target tasks. Our team creates your new space, you see every step with our project web platform. 5. Project Completion + After Care Transformation Complete! Enjoy! Final Walk-Through with designer and final payment. Option for worry-free maintenance program if available. 1.
KNOWLEDGE CENTER Resources
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Website
Pool Guide
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Budgeting Guide
Patio Shade + Louvered Pergolas
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Case Studies
Fine Gardening Program
Communication Contact Details
Office Hours
6116 Johnson Dr. Mission, KS 66205
M - F 9:00am - 5:00pm CST
www.highprairieoutdoors.com 816-398-2901
Response Time
24 hours except weekends or holidays
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