Preparing for Your Bear Creek Outdoor Living Consultation
A simple guide to help you get the most out of our time together
Thank you for scheduling a consultation with Bear Creek Outdoor Living.
We look forward to meeting with you and learning more about your backyard and how you want to use it in daily life.
This short guide will help you prepare so our time together is productive, clear, and valuable.
A little preparation goes a long way.
What This First Meeting Is (and Is Not)
What it is:
- A focused conversation about your vision, priorities, and goals
- An honest discussion about investment and what’s realistic
- A way to determine whether Bear Creek is the right fit for your project
- A clear explanation of how we work and what next steps look like
What it is not:
- A final design presentation
- Free construction drawings
- A bid-shopping or quote-comparison meeting
We won’t fully design your project in this first meeting. Our goal is alignment—between:
- Your vision
- A realistic project scope
- A budget that works for you
- And a process you feel confident in
If we reach that alignment, we’ll be ready to discuss moving forward together.
How Bear Creek Approaches Backyard Projects
Our approach is Design · Build · Furnish
That means:
- We design, build, and furnish your outdoor living space as one integrated team
- We help determine the right scope before locking in final costs
- We guide decisions about where to invest and where to simplify
- We manage design clarity, construction execution, and finishing details
- The goal is a fully finished, ready-to-use outdoor environment, not just construction
This approach consistently produces better results—and far fewer surprises—than disconnected estimates or partial solutions.
A Straightforward Word About Budget
Most homeowners start by asking, “How much will this cost?”
The better question is, “What should the investment be?”
Unless you already have completed architectural plans (most clients don’t), comparing quotes from different contractors often leads to confusion. Each contractor is making different assumptions, and no one is responsible for pulling the full picture together. The design/build process brings all this together into one cohesive process.
A successful project requires an honest budget conversation early.
During our meeting, we will:
- Discuss a comfortable investment range
- Share perspective from similar Bear Creek projects
- Explain how design and material choices affect cost
- Work toward a budget we are all aligned on
This isn’t about pressure.
It’s about clarity.
Without budget alignment, even great designs fail.
What the Next Step Looks Like (If We’re Aligned)
If we agree that Bear Creek is the right partner and you’re ready to move forward, the next step is a Design / Build Agreement.
Design Phase
- Design is not billed separately; it is part of the overall project cost
- A 5% deposit based on the agreed project budget is required
- This allows us to begin design and pre-construction work
- It is applied to the total project cost
- It is non-refundable if you choose not to proceed
During this phase, we:
- Gather existing conditions
- Collaborate with you to clarify your vision
- Develop a conceptual design
- Refine scope based on your feedback
- Work within the agreed budget range
- Narrow the project to a clear, buildable solution
Build Phase
Once the conceptual design is finalized, we:
- Prepare detailed construction drawings
- Establish a firm, fixed price for construction
- Execute a construction addendum that locks in scope, cost, and timeline
- Begin permitting, scheduling, and material procurement
- Manage and execute all phases of the required construction
Furnishing Phase
While permits, drawings, and scheduling are underway, we:
- Work with you to select all furnishings needed to complete the space
- Coordinate furniture and finishing elements with the overall design
- Establish furnishing costs and receive approval before ordering
This ensures your project is fully finished and ready to be enjoyed, not left incomplete.
How to Prepare Before We Meet
To make the most of our time together:
1. Dream a Little
Every backyard makeover starts with a dream:
- Your core objective with this project
- Your wish list
- What would success look like for you and your family
2. Align All Decision Makers
If possible, all decision makers should attend. If not, please discuss in advance:
- A comfortable budget range
- Your top priorities and must-haves
- How decisions will be made and by whom
3. Learn a Little About Us
Before we meet, we recommend:
- Reviewing our website and past projects
- Reading client reviews
- Getting familiar with how we work
This helps you come into the meeting confident and informed.
4. Plan for the Time
Please plan for about one hour for our consultation.
This allows for a thoughtful, unrushed conversation.
Our Commitment to You
We are not the lowest-cost option.
We aim to be a high-value partner who:
- Listens carefully
- Speaks honestly
- Manages your investment wisely
- Delivers a result you’ll enjoy for years
Our role is to guide—not pressure—you toward what’s right for you.
What Success Looks Like After This Meeting
By the end of our consultation:
- We are aligned on vision, investment, and process
- You feel confident that Bear Creek can deliver what you want
- You feel prepared to decide whether to move forward
- If aligned, we clearly outline the next steps and timing
We look forward to meeting you and starting the conversation.
—
Bear Creek Outdoor Living
Backyard Makeovers That Help You Get Outdoors in Daily Life
