As the region settles into a winter of shoveling snow and scraping frost, it can seem like spring is a lifetime away. But the warmer weather will be here before you know it, making now the perfect time to start planning ahead for the outdoor projects that'll have you falling in love with the great outdoors right in your own backyard.

Brian Iwano, founder of Blue Tree Builders, has assembled a team of experienced craftsmen and impassioned vendors to help homeowners solve for their increasing desires for outdoor gathering spaces in impressive detail and right on schedule. He also draws upon his own experience – he started working as a part-time handyman in late 2006, then Blue Tree was born in 2014 as a design-build company – to help guide clients in making the best decisions for their properties.

"To allow enough time and headspace to go through that design, and also the township permitting, it's best to start as soon as possible," he begins. "It's always better to plan ahead whenever possible, especially when considering projects at home. So often, people come to us with an initial idea that ends up evolving and changing during the planning process. It's all part of the process, and it's our job to go through that with you."

Blue Tree Builders has paired its exemplary work as a one-stop shop for interior and exterior design, building and renovation with an incredible customer experience from first consultation to final cleanup. As Iwano and his team all understand how home renovation projects can disrupt families' everyday lives, they've realized that a high level of craftsmanship is just the beginning: Every part of the experience counts, including how homeowners are treated by the construction team that's the guest in their home.

The team is guided by a mission to create spaces that foster a warmly welcoming gathering place for families and friends, a mindset that helps ensure they're considering the household's needs even during the dirtiest, loudest and most invasive parts of the renovation journey.

Fortunately, exterior projects are a little less intrusive during the construction period. And while Blue Tree has put its name on jaw-dropping design-builds, delivered dazzling roofing, siding and window work and built seamless home additions, the culture shift to intentional outdoor living projects means that decks and patios are in high demand.

There's a lot that goes into ensuring any significant project goes off without a hitch, which is why working with a design-build company dedicated to doing it right and according to your priorities is paramount.

"There are several things to consider when planning a deck or any outdoor project," says Iwano. "Most of the planning is our responsibility, but some of the planning we ask of our customers is: What do you want the deck to look like? Do you know where you'd like it to start and stop, or how big you'd like it to be? What types of finishes are you looking for? What will be your main uses for your new deck? Are you considering incorporating hardscaping or patio with the deck? Have you thought about furniture at all? Did you have any upgrades in mind such as a kitchen, covered space or lighting? Do you have a predetermined budget for the project?"

Having important conversations early on isn't the only time Blue Tree's team checks in with clients. Freely flowing communication throughout the process means exploring oodles of options together to get a professional perspective about what works best for a client's budget and tastes.

"There's a lot out there," Iwano says of all the decking, railing, lighting and accessories variables a client and contractor have to figure out. "Again, it's our job to know what's available out there and how to tie it all together to serve you best. We just ask for a little bit of direction toward what you're looking for, and we can take it from there."

Encouraging an ongoing dialogue also allows for opportunities in client education, like explaining just how quickly something as seemingly simple and standard as deck stairs can become a nightmare.

"Stairs can be tricky: In some ways, they can be a real focal point, and in other ways they're just in the way," explains Iwano. "One of the biggest things to remember when considering stairs is the landing spaces needed at the top. These landing spaces need to be clear for traffic and not used for furniture or other items. This may seem obvious, but it's easy to overlook in certain situations."

After all, education and communication help turn today's trends into functional, comfortable and timeless outdoor living spaces for years to come, while also presenting the project's construction team with "a pretty exciting opportunity for us, because outdoors we're not limited by four walls and really can do anything."

"Fixed coverings [like pergolas, awnings and roofs] add literally a whole new dimension to any outdoor living project. The biggest benefits of fixed coverings are obviously weather and sun protection, but they also definitely offer ways to define different spaces within larger decks," Iwano says. "I think outdoor kitchens are here to stay… Given our extensive experience in decks and kitchens, outdoor kitchens and living spaces are two of our most favorite types of project."

With a proven dedication to not only working with but also wowing clients, it's no surprise that Blue Tree Builders has been recognized by House & Home as its "Best of" every year since 2019.

Blue Tree Builders
Pittsgrove & Cherry Hill, N.J.
(609) 240-3231
ExperienceBlueTree.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 24, Issue 3 (January/February 2024)
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