Outdoor living spaces have become a top priority for homeowners, especially in areas like Texas where the backyard is often an extension of the home. From stunning patios and travertine walkways to outdoor kitchens and pool remodels, homeowners are investing big, both financially and emotionally. However, even the most experienced contractors can overlook essential details that compromise the long-term success of a project.
Below are five crucial things that are too often missed by contractors during outdoor remodeling. These aren't just technicalities. They can mean the difference between a project that lasts for decades and one that starts falling apart within the year.
1. Not Discussing Obvious or Potential Change Orders
Change orders are inevitable in construction. Whether it's a change in materials, a hidden condition uncovered during demo, or a tweak to the layout, changes happen. But what separates a top-tier contractor from an average one is how these potential shifts are communicated before the project begins.
Too often, contractors fail to have upfront conversations about possible change orders. They avoid the topic altogether, assuming it might scare the homeowner off. But in reality, this lack of transparency is what leads to frustration, disputes, and in some cases, the breakdown of the client-contractor relationship.
Instead, every project should start with a discussion of:
- What happens if we hit irrigation lines, tree roots, or buried debris?
- What are the contingencies for changing layouts due to elevation or drainage issues?
- How are material substitutions handled if something is discontinued or backordered?
- What defines a "necessary" change order versus a discretionary one?
By setting expectations early and documenting the process clearly, contractors can avoid awkward mid-project surprises and maintain trust throughout the build.
2. Incorrect or Missing Joints in Concrete
Concrete may appear rock solid, but in Texas, it's incredibly vulnerable without the proper support structure. The culprit? Our expansive clay soil. It swells with moisture and shrinks when dry, causing substantial ground movement throughout the year.
That’s why expansion joints and control joints are not optional. They are essential. Still, many contractors take a haphazard approach, throwing in a few joints without consideration of layout, stress points, or aesthetics.
Why It Matters:
- Crack locations in concrete are predictable. When joints are properly placed, they "tell" the concrete where to crack in a controlled, invisible way.
- Without enough joints, or poorly placed ones, cracking will occur randomly. It might be across the middle of your brand-new patio or right where a dining table leg sits.
- Aesthetic and structural concerns will emerge rapidly, especially in large pours or long walkways.
Joints should be planned according to slab size, sun exposure, soil conditions, and design intent. Using proper spacing (typically every 8 to 12 feet for control joints) and including expansion joints at abutting structures, columns, or edges ensures your concrete looks great and lasts.
3. Lack of Proper Perimeter Support
Outdoor remodeling isn't just about surface beauty. It’s also about what’s holding everything together. Perimeter support is one of the most commonly overlooked issues in backyard hardscaping. A freshly installed patio or paver walkway can look flawless when completed. But without proper edge restraint and perimeter management, erosion will take its toll.
The Problem:
Contractors and homeowners alike tend to overestimate a site's stability, especially when there's a slight elevation. When a yard has dramatic grade changes, it's obvious that retaining walls, drainage solutions, and structural supports are necessary. But slight slopes? They’re deceptive.
What Can Go Wrong:
- Erosion underneath travertine or pavers, leading to settling or tipping
- Water runoff undermining the outer edges of concrete pads
- Mulch and soil migrating into patio areas
- Cracking at unsupported edges or joints
The Fix:
- Concrete ribbons or curbing around paver installations
- Proper base compaction and geo-grid at edges
- Inclusion of drainage swales or surface drains
- Raising awareness of slight grade issues, even if it’s only a 6 to 8 inch drop over 10 feet
Addressing perimeter support properly is the difference between a backyard that stays clean and level versus one that becomes an annual maintenance headache.
4. Poor Permitting and Lack of Engineering Oversight
Permits may seem like a bureaucratic annoyance, but they're an important safeguard for both homeowners and contractors. Unfortunately, some contractors either try to avoid permitting altogether or delay it, only addressing it when an inspector shows up—or worse, when a neighbor reports the work.
Red Flags:
- The contractor seems unsure about local permitting requirements
- You haven’t been notified of inspections or approvals
- You’re told that permits “aren’t really needed” for certain structures that clearly require them (such as attached patio covers, electrical work, or gas lines)
Why It Matters:
- Post-construction permitting is a nightmare. It often involves expensive retrofitting, removal of completed work, and fines
- Unpermitted structures may void insurance claims or complicate resale
- Lack of engineering input on larger projects, such as retaining walls or multi-tier patios, can lead to dangerous failures
Homeowners should expect their contractor to know the rules in their municipality and communicate clearly about each inspection. If a contractor is vague, evasive, or overly casual about permits, that’s a major red flag.
5. Avoiding Educating the Client (Even When They’re Making a Mistake)
Sometimes the biggest mistake a contractor can make isn’t technical. It’s staying quiet when they should speak up. Homeowners often come into outdoor remodeling with ideas pulled from Pinterest or Houzz. While inspiration is great, not all ideas make sense for the climate, site, or usage.
Unfortunately, many contractors won’t challenge a client’s preferences out of fear of losing the sale. But by staying silent, they set the client and the project up for long-term disappointment.
Examples:
- Polycarbonate on pergolas: Often yellows, cracks, or leaks in the Texas sun
- Stone countertops in outdoor kitchens: Stain quickly without sealing. Sealing also adds maintenance. We often recommend granite
- Concrete patios in root-heavy or sloped areas: Will crack unless significant prep and reinforcement are included. We often recommend a paver system, which is easier to repair
- Soft stone like flagstone or travertine around saltwater pools: Can pit and deteriorate quickly from salt exposure. Travertine or concrete coping is a better option
- Quartz or marcite pool plasters: Beautiful at first, but dark colors often reveal mottling. We recommend a white-based quartz or marcite, or upgrading to a minipebble plaster for colored finishes
The Better Way:
Contractors should feel empowered to say, “Here’s why that might not be the best choice, and here’s what I’d recommend instead.” When homeowners understand the reasons, they are far more receptive to changing course.
Final Thoughts
Outdoor remodeling isn’t just about beauty. It’s about resilience, planning, and expert guidance. By avoiding these five critical missteps, contractors can deliver spaces that don’t just impress on day one, but continue to perform and delight for years to come.
Whether you’re a homeowner planning your dream backyard or a contractor striving for excellence, keep these five points in mind. A few strategic decisions now can prevent thousands in repairs later and protect your investment from the ground up.
