Built for homeowners who want it planned as one system.
AE is built for homeowners who want the outdoor space planned as one system, with scope and selections documented before construction. This page helps you tell whether we're the right fit — and where another path may serve you better. Either answer is a good one.
AE is a strong fit when…
- You want the outdoor space planned as one system — design, pool, hardscape, shade, lighting, plants, and aftercare coordinated together, not stitched from separate vendors after the fact.
- You want scope, materials, and selections documented in writing before construction begins, with clear change-order terms.
- You value warranty, permit, and inspection coverage and want a builder who self-performs the core work under their own Arizona ROC licenses.
- You expect a single project manager, a real schedule, and documented project updates at appropriate milestones during the build.
- You want long-term support — care plans, warranty handling, and a team you can reach years after final cleanup.
Another path may be better when…
- You already have a complete design from another professional and need a contractor to bid the build verbatim. A specialty trade or production builder is usually a faster, cheaper match.
- You want to general-contract the project yourself and hire individual trades. Our Learn library has the same planning checklists we use internally — take them and build a great yard your way.
- You're remodeling a single small element (a tile re-set, a coping repair, a short fence run). A focused specialty contractor will usually serve you better than a full-service design-build firm.
- Your timeline requires breaking ground before a documented design phase. We can sometimes accommodate this through our specialty divisions; for a complete-yard build, we plan first and build second.
If any of these describe your project, the right next step usually isn't us — and we'd rather say that on the first call than three weeks in. Our Learn library is open whether you hire us or not.
We plan first, build second.
A real discovery conversation
We start with how you live in the space — sun, shade, kids, pets, entertaining, future plans — before we draw anything.
Documented selections
Materials, finishes, equipment brands and models, lighting layout, and plant palette are agreed in writing before construction.
Permits and inspections where required
Pool barriers, gas, electrical, and structural shade structures over jurisdiction thresholds are permitted and inspected. We don't work around code.
A built schedule
You'll see the realistic schedule — including permit queue, supplier lead times, and inspection windows — before you sign.
Real numbers, scoped honestly.
We publish realistic investment ranges on our pricing pages — by scope, not by sales script. Your range will depend on yard size, grading, site access, material selections, equipment choices, and whether the project includes a pool, shade structure, or kitchen. We'll give you a defensible band on the first call and refine it as the design takes shape.
Price isn't the only signal of quality. A correctly engineered base, the right equipment, and a written warranty matter more than the lowest first number. We'll show you where investment makes a measurable difference and where it doesn't.
One team, one project manager, one record.
- AE self-performs the core hardscape, pool, shade, lighting, and turf work under our own Arizona ROC licenses.
- Specialty trades we don't hold a license for (gas plumbing, structural engineering, gunite, certain electrical) are vetted partners we've used for years.
- One project manager owns your build end-to-end. You don't chase trades — they coordinate through us.
- Selections, change orders, photos, and warranty documents are kept in one project record we hand to you at close-out.
Bring these to your first conversation.
- How you actually use the space today — and what's missing.
- Photos of the existing yard and any inspiration you've collected.
- HOA submittal requirements if your community has them.
- Property survey or site plan if you have one (we can work without it).
- A realistic investment range you're planning around — even a rough band helps us scope honestly.
Not every project is a complete-yard build.
Design-only engagement
Where approved, we can produce a documented design package you can take to another builder. Terms vary; ask during your first call.
Specialty division
Standalone pavers, turf, shade, lighting, or pet-turf projects through the matching division — faster than a complete-yard process when that's the right scope.
Phased build
Design the full envelope now, build in funded phases over 1–3 years. The plan keeps elevations, drainage, and utility runs consistent across phases.
Future-project planning
If your build is more than a year away, we can still start the conversation. The design phase is when most regrets are prevented.
Specific terms — deliverables, revision rounds, whether any design fee is credited toward a build, and use/ownership of plans — are reviewed in writing before either side commits. Ask during your first call.
Let's start with a real conversation.
Tell us a little about the project. We'll come to the first call already prepared — and you'll leave knowing whether AE is the right next step, or where to look instead.