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Arizona licensed, bonded & insuredServing Arizona homeowners since 2005Peoria design showroomWritten, itemized project scopesProject-specific payment & warranty terms
A note on the numbers

This isn't a cost. It's an investment.

The figures on this page are real and we don't hide them — that's how AE operates. But we want to be honest about how to read them. Your backyard design-build project isn't a line-item expense; it's an investment in your home's value, your family's daily experience, and a space you'll use for the next twenty to thirty years.

When you compare bids, compare what you're investing in — the spec, the crews, the warranty, the company that will still be standing in year ten — not just the price tag. The lowest bid is almost always the most expensive build over time.

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Answers · Backyard Design-Build

How much does an outdoor living space cost in Arizona?

'Outdoor living space' usually means shade + cook + sit + light. Real Arizona packages combine a covered patio, a kitchen or BBQ island, a firepit or fireplace, and permanent lighting — all sequenced together.

The honest version: Starter package (paver patio + shade sail + BBQ island + firepit + string lights): $45K–$75K. Mid (paver patio + louvered pergola or wood-look aluminum cover + built-in kitchen + gas firepit + LED path + audio): $85K–$150K. Full envelope (all of the above + pool integration + misting + permanent roofline LED + landscape design): $180K–$350K+.

Educational estimate, not a quote. Ranges shown are Arizona-market planning estimates. Final pricing depends on site access, size, materials, engineering, drainage, utilities, permits, equipment access, existing conditions, and final scope. Binding pricing is only valid in a written proposal signed by an AE representative.

Budget to the high end. Use the top of every range on this page as your working number. The low end assumes easy access, sound existing conditions, and standard selections — real Arizona projects often carry demolition, drainage or grading work, upgraded materials, or conditions found once work starts. If the top of the range still fits your plan, the project fits your budget. Ranges are planning guidance, not a quote; the signed scope controls.
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How to sequence a build

  • Establish the shade structure and hardscape first — everything else builds off those elevations.
  • Rough in gas, water, and low-voltage before final hardscape.
  • Kitchen and firepit go in with hardscape pours.
  • Landscape and lighting finish last — clean lines, no re-digs.
FAQ

Common questions.

Yes, and we recommend it above ~$100K. We'll design the master plan, then build in 2–3 phases so nothing gets torn up twice.

Non-pool projects: 50% deposit at approval, 35% at project start or materials delivery, 15% balance at substantial completion. If a pool is included, that portion runs on the 15/25/25/25/10 pool schedule.

Design your outdoor living space

Send a photo of your yard and we'll come back with a phased plan and real ranges.

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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."
Related guides

Keep learning before you build.