The receipts behind every claim we make.
Licenses. Certifications. Build standards. Real FAQs. What we do in-house, and what we refuse to do at any price. One page — so you can audit us before you ever pick up the phone.
Verifiable, current, and held by AE itself
Every division we operate is licensed under AE — not borrowed from a subcontractor. Look any of these up on the AZ Registrar of Contractors site.
AZ ROC 340966
R-62 — Minor Home Improvements (Residential)
AZ ROC 341002
R-3 — Awnings, Canopies, Carports and Patio Covers (Residential)
AZ ROC 347738
KA-5 — Dual Swimming Pool Contractor (Dual Residential & Commercial)
AZ ROC 211530
CR-21 — Hardscaping and Irrigation Systems (Commercial)
BBB Accredited — A+ Rating
Better Business Bureau, since 2006
Houzz profile
Verified Houzz business profile with photos and homeowner reviews
Google reviews
Verified homeowner reviews from across Maricopa County
Peoria Design Center & Showroom
Walk-in showroom · materials · water features · glass
The 39 rules we won't compromise on
Every category of work — pools, hardscape, shade, turf, gas/fire, lighting, glass, permits, communication, pricing — has a published spec sheet. Here are the six most-asked-about.
Pebble interior finish on every pool
Why: Plain plaster fails in 5–7 years in AZ water. Pebble runs 10+.
ABC base + 1" sand bed + polymeric joint sand on every paver field
Why: 4–6" ABC on driveways, 2–3" on patios/walkways. The single biggest variable in paver longevity. Non-negotiable.
Variable-speed pumps only (Pentair/Jandy/Hayward)
Why: AZ code requirement. Single-speed pays for itself in higher bills within a year.
ROC 15/25/25/25/remainder draw schedule
Why: Aligns payments with completed phases. Front-loading transfers risk to you.
Auto-fill plumbed into every pool build
Why: AZ summer evaporation is ~1" per day. Manual top-off is a daily chore we won't ask owners to do.
Permits pulled on gas, electric, and pool — always
Why: Permits protect the homeowner at resale, inspection, and insurance claim time.
In-house, in-Arizona, end-to-end
Many outdoor companies brand themselves 'full-service' and subcontract most of the build. AE self-performs design, hardscape, landscape, glass, lighting, and project management with our own W-2 crews, using specialty partners only for trades like excavation, gunite, and final electrical or gas hookups that require specific licensing or equipment.
Engineer pools for Arizona water
Pebble interior finishes, variable-speed Pentair/Jandy equipment, auto-fill, automation-ready pad.
Build hardscape on real base
2–3" compacted ABC on patios/walkways, 4–6" on driveways, 1" sand bed, polymeric joints, edge restraint, drainage planned before pavers are cut.
Gas, fire & outdoor kitchens to code
Permitted gas lines, BTU-matched burners, ventilation engineered — not improvised on-site.
In-house glass & lighting divisions
AE LEDs and Sonoran Glass & Fence operate under the same roof — single point of accountability, no subcontractor finger-pointing.
Specify the right plants for your zone
Curated Arizona plant & tree library with sun, water, root, and pet-safety filters — no generic plant palette.
Publish a fixed scope & draw schedule
Every contract uses the ROC 15/25/25/25/remainder structure tied to completed phases — never front-loaded.
Service everything we build
Aftercare division handles warranty, seasonal maintenance, and equipment service in-house for the life of the build.
Teach before we sell
Learning Hub, Pricing Guide, and Standards page publish what other builders keep behind sales calls.
Sometimes the standard is saying no
If a homeowner asks us to install one of these, we explain why and offer the right alternative. We won't sign a contract that includes them.
Spray-on pool deck coatings
They peel, chalk, and look failed within 3 AZ summers. We quote pavers, travertine, or stone — period.
Single-speed pool pumps
Restricted by AZ code on new builds and a meaningful long-term operating-cost hit. Variable-speed only.
Plain plaster pool interiors
Stains and degrades in Arizona water in 5–7 years. Pebble Tec or equivalent only.
Astroturf-grade turf
Short pile, shiny backing, no infill spec. We install premium UV-stabilized turf with proper base + infill.
Front-loaded payment schedules
Anything over the ROC-permitted deposit transfers risk to you. We won't write a contract that way.
Unpermitted gas, electric, or pool work
Permits protect the homeowner. We pull every one — even when the homeowner offers to skip them.
"Call for pricing"
If we can't put real numbers in writing for the scope you described, we shouldn't be quoting you in the first place.
Subcontracting under someone else's license
Every division (pool, hardscape, glass, lighting, aftercare) runs under an AE-held ROC license. No borrowed credentials.
The questions every homeowner should ask — and the answers
Filter by topic or search for a keyword. If a builder can't answer all of these without flinching, keep shopping.
Audit us further
Every claim on this page has a dedicated page behind it. Read, compare, and bring questions to your design call.
Full Standards (39 rules)
Every build spec we hold ourselves to, with the reasoning behind each one.
Honest Answers
Real costs, real failure modes, real comparisons — the questions other builders dodge.
Pricing Guide
Published project ranges and how to read a backyard bid.
Learning Hub
Pathways, glossary, pre-build checklist, and the full article library.
Warranty & Aftercare
What's covered, for how long, and who you call when something needs service.
Industry Leadership
Press, podcasts, partner brands, and education we publish for the trade.
Real Project Gallery
Finished AE backyards by neighborhood, scope, and year built.
The People Building It
Designers, project managers, and trade leads — bylines, not anonymous sales reps.
Bring this page to your next three bids.
Use it as a checklist with every builder you're considering — AE included. The honest ones will thank you for raising the bar.