What's AE's project process from first call to handoff?

Six phases: (1) Discovery — site walk, lifestyle conversation, scope alignment, budget reality-check. (2) Design — site analysis, drawings, material samples, line-item bid. (3) Permit & HOA — submittals, ARC presentations, city plan review. (4) Pre-construction — schedule lock, project manager assignment, neighbor notification, utility marking. (5) Construction — sequenced trades, weekly client updates, milestone inspections. (6) Handoff — walk-through, system orientation, warranty packet, care guides, and 30-day follow-up.

How long does the full process typically take?

Typical 2026 Phoenix-metro timelines from contract signing to handoff: paver patio or driveway 4–8 weeks; full backyard remodel (no pool) 8–16 weeks; new pool with deck and equipment 16–28 weeks (includes 6–12 weeks of permit/HOA review); full property remodel (pool + landscape + hardscape) 20–40 weeks; commercial pool projects 6–14 months. The single biggest variable is permitting — see our permits and HOA guide for city-by-city timelines.

Why doesn't AE start construction without a design and a permit?

Because the alternative is bad business for the client. 'Design as we go' means change orders, scope creep, mid-build surprises, and inspection failures. Every dollar spent in design saves $3–$5 in the field. Every week of permit review saves potential stop-work orders. AE doesn't break ground until: drawings are signed, permit is in hand, HOA approval is in writing, and the schedule is locked. No exceptions.

Who manages an AE project day-to-day?

Every project gets a dedicated project manager who is your single point of contact from contract through 30-day follow-up. The PM coordinates all trades, runs the weekly client update, attends inspections, and handles any change orders in writing. You're not chasing a different person each phase — same PM start to finish.

How often do clients hear from AE during construction?

Weekly project update minimum (photos, what's been done, what's next, any issues). Same-day response on safety or scope questions. Inspection results within 24 hours. Final pre-handoff walk-through scheduled 5–7 days before substantial completion so you're not finding issues at the last minute. Most clients say the communication is the part that surprised them most — in a good way.

What's included in handoff?

Written walk-through with PM and lead foreman, complete system orientation (pool equipment, automation, irrigation, lighting), warranty packet with all manufacturer documents, AE warranty terms in writing, care guides for every system installed (linked to our online care library), as-built drawings, all permit and HOA closeout documents, and a 30-day follow-up visit scheduled at handoff.

What happens if something doesn't go to plan?

Real talk: every construction project hits at least one surprise — buried utility, soil condition, weather delay, supply-chain hiccup. The difference is how it's handled. AE's standing rule: surprises become written change orders within 48 hours of discovery, with cost and schedule impact documented before any work proceeds. No verbal 'we'll figure it out' that turns into a $14,000 surprise at the end.

Does AE manage subs or do everything in-house?

Mixed model. AE self-performs design, project management, pool construction, hardscape, decking, and landscape installation with W-2 employees. Specialty trades (electrical, gas, plumbing, structural engineering, custom metal fab) are handled by long-term licensed AZ ROC contractor partners we've worked with for 5–15+ years. Same standards either way — and every trade is supervised by the AE project manager, not subcontracted-out and forgotten.

Why can't permitting and engineering be rushed?

Because the city, county, and your engineer of record are not on your construction schedule — they're on theirs, and they will reject an incomplete submittal every time. A real permit package includes finalized site plan, structural calcs and stamped drawings (for anything with a footing, gas line, electrical run, pool shell, or retaining wall over 3'), drainage plan, easement and setback verification, HOA-approved elevations, and load calculations for shade structures. If any one of those is missing, the plan reviewer kicks the whole package back and you lose 2–6 weeks waiting for re-review. The cities don't 'expedite for nice people.' Engineers don't stamp drawings overnight — a real PE puts their license on every sheet and that takes 1–3 weeks of actual calculation, not a same-day favor. We won't submit a half-finished package to look fast, because every rejection adds more time than slowing down once to do it right.

What do you need from me before anything goes to the city?

Final approved design (no 'we'll decide on tile during construction'), final material selections for anything that affects engineering (pavers, decking thickness, kitchen appliance specs, pool equipment pad layout, lighting load), confirmed footprint and setbacks, HOA architectural approval in writing where applicable, your signed contract, and a recent plat or survey if we don't have one on file. If a single one of those is open, the submittal is incomplete — and incomplete submittals get rejected, not 'reviewed with notes.' We'd rather spend an extra week with you nailing details than spend a month in the city's re-review queue.

Realistic permitting timelines by jurisdiction (Phoenix metro 2026)

Plan check times move with seasonal volume, staffing, and how clean the submittal is. Typical first-review windows: Phoenix 4–8 weeks, Scottsdale 5–10 weeks, Mesa 3–6 weeks, Chandler 4–8 weeks, Gilbert 3–6 weeks, Peoria 3–7 weeks, Glendale 4–8 weeks, Surprise 3–6 weeks, Goodyear 3–6 weeks, Buckeye 4–8 weeks, Maricopa County unincorporated 4–10 weeks. Add 2–6 weeks for each round of corrections (pool plans almost always get one round). HOA ARC review is usually 30–45 days on top, sometimes longer if the board meets monthly. None of this is AE moving slowly — it's the system every legitimate contractor in Arizona works inside.

Arizona licensed, bonded & insured·Serving Arizona homeowners since 2005·Peoria design showroom·Written, itemized project scopes·Project-specific payment & warranty terms

About · Our Process

How AE Outdoor Living runs a project — from first call to 30-day follow-up.

Name: AE Outdoor Living — Peoria Showroom
Address: 9715 W Peoria Ave, Peoria, AZ, 85345, US
Telephone: (623) 300-2589
Price range: $$$

Every outdoor living project in Phoenix metro follows the same six phases at AE. Not because we're rigid, but because we've watched what goes wrong when builders skip phases. Verbal scope changes become $14,000 surprises. 'We'll figure it out in the field' becomes inspection failures. Design-as-you-go becomes scope creep. The process isn't bureaucracy — it's the reason our clients sleep at night during their build.

The honest version: If a builder can't walk you through their process in detail before you sign, they don't have one. Ask any contractor: 'What happens on day 30 of my build? Day 60? Day 90?' If the answer is vague, you'll be the one figuring it out as you go — usually with a checkbook.

(623) 300-2589 support@aeoutdoorliving.com

Phase 1 — Discovery (Week 1)

On-site visit with you, in person, walking the actual space
Lifestyle conversation: how do you use the yard now, how do you want to use it
Scope alignment: what's in, what's out, what's a phase-two
Budget reality-check with honest range — not 'call for pricing'
Decision: AE proposes scope and design fee, you decide whether to proceed

Phase 2 — Design (Weeks 2–6)

Site analysis: sun mapping, drainage walk, soil check, sight lines, easements
Conceptual drawings reviewed in person at our showroom or virtually
Material samples in your hand before final spec
Line-item bid you can compare apples-to-apples with other contractors
Engineering coordination if structural elements are involved
Design fee credited toward install if you build with AE

Phase 3 — Permit & HOA (Weeks 4–18)

Permitting and engineering can't be rushed and we won't pretend otherwise. The city, the county, and your engineer of record are not on your construction calendar. A real submittal package — site plan, stamped structural drawings, drainage, electrical load, gas line routing, pool shell calcs, setback and easement verification, HOA-approved elevations — has to be complete before it goes in. Incomplete submittals don't get 'reviewed with notes'; they get rejected, and a rejection costs more time than slowing down once to do it right. We share realistic timelines at signing, not best-case ones, so you can plan your life around an honest schedule.

Every detail finalized before submittal — design, materials, footprint, HOA approval, plat/survey on file
Engineer of record stamps drawings (1–3 weeks of real calculation, not a same-day favor)
City permit submitted to your AHJ (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Peoria, etc.)
HOA ARC packet submitted in parallel (Verrado, DC Ranch, Eastmark, etc.) — boards often only meet monthly
Plan-check corrections handled by AE — you don't talk to the city or HOA
Plat pull and easement verification
Honest timeline at signing — including the rounds of corrections most pool plans take

Phase 4 — Pre-construction (Week before mobilization)

Schedule lock — you know what's happening which week
Dedicated project manager assigned (your single point of contact)
Neighbor notification (we knock on doors — not your job)
Utility marking (Arizona 811)
Materials staged or scheduled for delivery
Job-site safety setup, dust control, debris management plan

Phase 5 — Construction (varies by scope)

Sequenced trades supervised by the AE project manager
Weekly written client update with photos, progress, next steps, issues
Same-day response on safety or scope questions
Inspections coordinated and attended by AE
Any change order documented in writing within 48 hours of discovery
Final pre-handoff walk-through scheduled 5–7 days before substantial completion

Phase 6 — Handoff and 30-day follow-up

Written walk-through with PM and lead foreman
Full system orientation: pool equipment, automation, irrigation, lighting
Warranty packet: all manufacturer documents + AE warranty terms
Care guides for every system installed (linked to AE's online care library)
As-built drawings
All permit and HOA closeout documents
30-day follow-up visit scheduled at handoff
Year-one warranty walk and tune-up included

Phase 7 — AE Outdoor Guardian aftercare (free for 90 days)

Every AE customer gets 90 days free on any Outdoor Guardian plan — no card required if you cancel before day 91
Digital Command Center: warranties, manuals, equipment models & serial numbers, photos, and as-builts in one secure place
Seasonal maintenance reminders across pool, irrigation, lighting, hardscape, and glass
Member service request portal with priority intake while active
10% off eligible AE services for active members
Cancel anytime — AE customers keep read-only access to property, warranties, documents, and photos for life
Continue on a paid plan ($19, $49, or $99/mo) for ongoing monthly reviews, expert eyes, and full features

Typical end-to-end timelines (Phoenix metro 2026)

Paver patio or driveway: 4–8 weeks total
Full backyard remodel (no pool): 8–16 weeks
New pool with deck and equipment: 16–28 weeks
Full property remodel (pool + landscape + hardscape): 20–40 weeks
Commercial pool projects: 6–14 months

Who manages your project

Every project gets a dedicated project manager — your single point of contact from contract through 30-day follow-up. The PM coordinates all trades (in-house AE crews plus our long-term licensed AZ ROC partners), runs the weekly update, attends inspections, and handles any change orders in writing. You're not chasing a different person each phase.

What we won't do

Start construction without a permit in hand
Begin without HOA written approval where required
Submit an incomplete permit package to look fast — rejections cost more time than doing it right
Pressure an engineer to stamp drawings before the calcs are actually done
Promise a permit timeline the city or county hasn't given us
Take verbal change orders that aren't documented
Sub out work to crews we haven't vetted
Disappear after handoff

FAQ

Common questions.

Want to see this process applied to your project?

Send a few photos of your space and a sentence about what you'd like to build. We'll start at Phase 1 — site walk, lifestyle conversation, honest budget range — before anyone signs anything or pays a deposit.

Start with a Discovery Visit

(623) 300-2589 support@aeoutdoorliving.com

Your home investment — protected

Why this is an investment, not a cost.

An AE backyard is engineered to add daily livability and long-term home value. We publish honest ranges and build to code with a licensed and bonded Arizona crew. AE provides project-specific workmanship and manufacturer-warranty information in the signed agreement. Website summaries are for planning only.

Licensed, bonded & insured in Arizona. ROC 340966 (R-62) · ROC 341002 (R-3) · ROC 347738 (KA-5) · ROC 211530 (CR-21). Most Arizona contracting work valued at $1,000 or more — or requiring a permit — must be performed by a properly licensed contractor, subject to statutory exemptions. Verify the legal entity, license status, and classification with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
Real ranges, itemized scope. You see materials, finishes, equipment models, and a line-item budget before you sign — not a one-line "pool — $90,000."