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

One design. Two ways to build.

Build Your Outdoors Your Way.

Some homeowners want one team to manage every detail. Others want to stay more involved. AE gives qualified Arizona homeowners both options—with a clear plan, professional guidance and no pressure to choose the wrong fit.

Find My Best Build Path Compare the Options

Get an Initial Project Estimate →

Arizona Experience

Complete Backyard Design

Licensed, Bonded & Insured

Clear Build Responsibilities

Why two paths

Most Companies Give You One Way to Build. AE Gives You a Choice.

The right construction model depends on more than price. It depends on your available time, comfort level, funding, project complexity and how much responsibility you want to carry. AE Build Your Way lets you compare both options using the same project goals and design standards.

AE Guided Build

More control. More involvement.

Take a more active role in your project while AE provides a defined planning and guidance package. Depending on the final program agreement, you may contract with and pay participating trades directly while using AE's design, construction roadmap, documentation tools and milestone guidance.

AE Project Blueprint
Custom design and scope development
Engineering and permit roadmap
Construction sequence
Vetted trade options
Project documentation system
Defined milestone guidance
Scheduled support

You carry more responsibility for trade agreements, payments, decisions and overall project administration.

See Whether Guided Build Fits

AE Full-Service Build

One agreement. One accountable team.

AE manages the full construction experience under the full-service agreement, from planning and permits through trade coordination, construction and final walkthrough.

AE Project Blueprint
Complete project proposal
Permit and schedule management
Trade coordination
Payment administration
Quality-control process
Change-order administration
Central warranty process
Final walkthrough

AE carries the defined overall project-management and construction responsibilities.

Explore Full Service

Side by side

Same Vision. A Different Level of Responsibility.

Comparison of AE Guided Build and AE Full-Service Build
Topic	AE Guided Build	AE Full-Service Build
Custom design	Provided by AE	Provided by AE
AE Project Blueprint	Included	Included
Engineering & permit roadmap	Provided as defined by agreement	Managed by AE as defined by agreement
Construction sequence	Provided as defined by agreement	Managed by AE
Vetted trade options	Provided	Provided
Trade contracts	Homeowner, with AE tools or guidance as defined by agreement	Managed by AE as defined by agreement
Trade payments	Homeowner, as defined by agreement	Administered by AE as defined by agreement
Day-to-day scheduling	Homeowner, with AE guidance	Managed by AE
Customer decision requirements	Higher	Standard
Change administration	Homeowner-led, with AE support	Managed by AE
Lien-document administration	Homeowner, as defined by agreement	Administered by AE as defined by agreement
Milestone guidance	Included	Included
Overall job accountability	Shared, as defined by agreement	AE, as defined by agreement
Complete-project warranty process	Varies by trade, as defined by agreements	Centralized AE process as defined by agreement
Financing compatibility	Lender-dependent	Broadly compatible
Best suited for	Homeowners who want more control and involvement	Homeowners who want one accountable team

Custom design

Guided Build

Provided by AE

Full Service

Provided by AE

AE Project Blueprint

Guided Build

Included

Full Service

Included

Engineering & permit roadmap

Guided Build

Provided as defined by agreement

Full Service

Managed by AE as defined by agreement

Construction sequence

Guided Build

Provided as defined by agreement

Full Service

Managed by AE

Vetted trade options

Guided Build

Provided

Full Service

Provided

Trade contracts

Guided Build

Homeowner, with AE tools or guidance as defined by agreement

Full Service

Managed by AE as defined by agreement

Trade payments

Guided Build

Homeowner, as defined by agreement

Full Service

Administered by AE as defined by agreement

Day-to-day scheduling

Guided Build

Homeowner, with AE guidance

Full Service

Managed by AE

Customer decision requirements

Guided Build

Higher

Full Service

Standard

Change administration

Guided Build

Homeowner-led, with AE support

Full Service

Managed by AE

Lien-document administration

Guided Build

Homeowner, as defined by agreement

Full Service

Administered by AE as defined by agreement

Milestone guidance

Guided Build

Included

Full Service

Included

Overall job accountability

Guided Build

Shared, as defined by agreement

Full Service

AE, as defined by agreement

Complete-project warranty process

Guided Build

Varies by trade, as defined by agreements

Full Service

Centralized AE process as defined by agreement

Financing compatibility

Guided Build

Lender-dependent

Full Service

Broadly compatible

Best suited for

Guided Build

Homeowners who want more control and involvement

Full Service

Homeowners who want one accountable team

Beyond price

The Right Choice Is Not Just About Price.

Guided Build may offer financial advantages on some projects, but it also requires more time, availability, decision-making and responsibility from the homeowner. Full Service costs more because AE takes on the coordination, administration, accountability and overall project-management burden.

Potential savings vary. The best path is the one that fits your real life—not simply the lowest preliminary number.

AE Project Blueprint

Start With a Real Plan, Not a Guess.

Both build paths begin with the AE Project Blueprint. It creates a shared understanding of the project before construction commitments are made.

Includes

Site and access review

Includes

Custom 3D design

Includes

Scope and specifications

Includes

Engineering and permit roadmap

Includes

Preliminary construction budget

Includes

Guided-versus-full-service review

Final Blueprint scope, pricing and credit terms are defined in the applicable AE agreement.

Process

How Build Your Way Works

01
Explore Your Project
Use the Build Path Quiz and initial estimate tools.
02
Create Your Blueprint
Develop the design, scope, project assumptions and construction roadmap.
03
Review Both Paths
Compare price, time commitment, responsibility and support.
04
Choose How to Build
Move forward with Guided Build or Full Service under the applicable agreement.

More than a pool

More Than a Pool-Building Option

AE can plan the complete outdoor environment so the pool, hardscape, landscape, shade, lighting, fencing and entertainment features work together from the beginning.

Pools & Spas →Pavers & Hardscape →Landscape & Turf →Pergolas & Shade →Outdoor Kitchens →Fire & Water Features →Outdoor Lighting →Glass Fencing →

Build Path Quiz

Which Build Path Actually Fits You?

Answer a few practical questions about your time, budget, funding, experience and desired level of responsibility. We will show you which path may fit best and explain why.

Take the 3-Minute Build Path Quiz

Common questions

Build Your Way FAQs

What is AE Guided Build?

AE Guided Build is a defined planning and guidance service for homeowners who want to take a more active role in their pool or backyard project. The exact services, responsibilities and trade relationships are established in the final program agreement.

Is Guided Build the same as Full Service?

No. Full Service places the defined overall construction-management responsibility with AE. Guided Build transfers more project involvement and responsibility to the homeowner.

Will Guided Build save me money?

It may on some projects, but savings are not guaranteed. Trade pricing, site conditions, selections, changes, scheduling, permit requirements and owner decisions can all affect final cost.

Who pays the construction trades?

Under the proposed Guided Build structure, the homeowner may pay participating trades directly. The final payment and contracting structure will be stated in the applicable agreement.

Can Guided Build be financed?

Financing requirements vary by lender. Some lenders may require one general contractor and may not support an owner-managed structure. Funding must be reviewed before choosing a path.

Can I switch to Full Service?

A preconstruction conversion may be available for eligible projects. Timing, pricing and any Blueprint credit are determined by AE and the applicable agreement.

Is every project eligible for Guided Build?

No. Project location, complexity, funding, site conditions, homeowner availability, intended property use and other factors may affect availability.

Does Guided Build include one complete-project warranty?

Warranty responsibility may differ by trade and service. The Guided Build agreement and individual trade agreements will identify applicable warranties. Full Service provides a more centralized warranty process as defined in the AE contract.

Is Build Your Way only for swimming pools?

The initial program may focus on pools and pool-centered backyard projects. Eligible hardscape, landscape, lighting, shade, fencing and outdoor-living elements may also be included after project review.

What happens after the quiz?

You will receive a preliminary recommendation and a next step based on your answers. The quiz is not a legal or final project qualification.

Make an informed choice

Understand the Tradeoffs Before You Choose.

Take the Build Path Quiz, see which option may fit and start planning your project with real information.

Find My Best Build Path Get an Initial Estimate

Build Path Quiz results and website content are preliminary and educational. Program availability, services, responsibilities, pricing, trade relationships, warranties and conversion options are governed by the applicable written agreement. Potential savings are not guaranteed. Construction pricing and schedules may change due to site conditions, selections, trade availability, permitting, inspections and customer-requested changes.

Find My Build Path

Build Your Outdoors Your Way.

Most Companies Give You One Way to Build. AE Gives You a Choice.

More control. More involvement.

One agreement. One accountable team.

Same Vision. A Different Level of Responsibility.

The Right Choice Is Not Just About Price.

Start With a Real Plan, Not a Guess.

How Build Your Way Works

More Than a Pool-Building Option

Which Build Path Actually Fits You?

Build Your Way FAQs

Understand the Tradeoffs Before You Choose.

Keep learning before you build.

Pricing Guide

Project Case Studies

Learning Hub