Services
Outdoor rooms for a short, dry, bright season
Central Oregon summers are dry and bright and the evenings cool off fast. An outdoor room has to work from May to October and shrug off snow the rest of the year.
We design covered patios, decks, screened porches and outdoor kitchens as part of the house, with the roof, the structure and the surfaces chosen for snow load and sun. Not included: furniture, plants and landscape beyond the footprint of the structure.
What phase one includes
Site and sun study across the seasons
Structure drawn for local snow load, with footings below frost depth
Roof, ceiling, heating and lighting planned together
Outdoor kitchen layout with gas, power and water routed
Deck, patio and railing materials chosen for dry heat and snow
Cost
What changes the cost
No figures here, because the house sets them. These are the parts that move the number.
Structure
A covered patio carries snow like a roof and is priced like one. A low deck is simpler.
Surfaces
Stone, concrete, hardwood and composite decking sit far apart in cost and in upkeep.
Utilities
Gas, power and water to an outdoor kitchen depend on how far the house is from it.
Heat and shade
Fireplaces, heaters, screens and shade structures extend the season, and each has its own cost.
Phase one
How the design phase goes
- 01
Step 1: Site and sun study
We measure the site and watch how the sun and the wind move across it.
- 02
Step 2: Design options
Two or three ways to place and cover the space.
- 03
Step 3: Drawings and selections
Structure, surfaces, lighting and utilities drawn in full.
- 04
Step 4: Build price and decision
A written price, with the build slotted into the dry months.
Permits
Permits and approvals
Inside Bend's city limits, building permits go through the City of Bend; outside them, through Deschutes County. A covered structure needs a building permit and a setback check with the City of Bend or Deschutes County; a low deck may not. Gas and electrical work carry their own permits. We handle both in phases one and two.
Examples
Examples of the work
Sample photos.
Questions
Questions about this work
Can the outdoor room be used in winter?
With a roof, heating and wind protection, often yes. We draw what extends the season and tell you what it costs.
Do you build decks without a roof?
Yes, as part of a larger project. A deck alone is better served by a specialist deck builder.
What about snow on a covered patio?
The roof is engineered for local snow load, and the drawings show how snow sheds and where it lands.
Do you do landscaping?
Only what touches the structure: footings, drainage and the edges. We recommend landscape designers for the rest.
Draw it first.
Book a first conversation about the house. We talk, then we look.