If your home is the one everyone gathers at, you already know the problem: the inside is ready for guests, but the backyard isn't. That was exactly the situation for one couple in a Villa Rica golf course community—and it's the kind of outdoor living project Archadeck of Northwest Georgia is built to solve.
Here's how we turned an underused backyard into a multi-zone entertaining suite that looks like it was part of the home's original design, and how we did it with honest pricing and a realistic timeline from day one.
The Challenge: Party Central With Nowhere to Party Outside
Dion and Debra owned a beautiful three-year-old custom home in a golf course community. Their basement wine cellar had already made them the neighborhood's go-to hosts, but the outdoor experience hadn't caught up. Three issues kept getting in the way:
- Lingering BBQ smell drifting from the kitchen into the rest of the house
- Cigar smoke making its way indoors during get-togethers
- No privacy from neighbors in a tightly built community
They didn't just want a patio. They wanted a sophisticated outdoor entertaining space that felt original to their custom home—not a bolt-on afterthought.
Two Visions, One Backyard
The interesting part of this Villa Rica outdoor living project was that Dion and Debra wanted two very different things from the same space.
Dion wanted a high-performance outdoor kitchen with room for his Big Green Egg—a place to grill and share cigars with friends. Debra wanted the opposite: an elegant, quiet dining retreat, away from the smoke and out of view of the neighbors.
The goal was to give each of them their own zone while making the whole thing feel like one cohesive, intentional design that matched the house.
For context, a pool contractor had quoted around $150,000 for a pool plus related work more than a year earlier. The couple held off—partly because they wanted to get every detail right, and partly because they had reservations about a contractor working outside their core specialty. After a year of thinking it over, they decided not to wait any longer on the outdoor kitchen and pergola, and they called Archadeck.
Honest Pricing: A Hard Conversation Done the Right Way
Dion originally hoped to keep the investment around $50,000. We could have said yes and quietly cut corners. Instead, we had a transparent conversation up front: material costs had risen, and the truly custom look they wanted—stone-wrapped columns and a high-end drainage system—called for a larger investment.
Rather than just telling them "it costs more," we walked them through a tiered 3D design package. We showed them exactly where they could save and what each upgrade would buy them. Once they saw the 3D renderings of the stone-wrapped columns and the custom light-blue ceiling that matched Debra's chef's kitchen, the decision made itself. They didn't want to compromise on the vision.
The project landed in the $70,000–$75,000 range—and because the pricing was clear from the start, there were no surprises along the way.
Managing a True Multi-Trade Outdoor Living Project
A project like this isn't a single build. It's a coordinated effort across multiple trades, all working in sequence. We managed carpenters, electricians, gutter specialists, and hardscape experts so the homeowners never had to play project manager. A few of the bigger hurdles:
- The HOA approval. This golf course community required a permitting package as detailed as a city's. We prepared the entire submittal package and earned approval on the first try—no costly resubmissions or delays.
- A serious drainage problem. Water was flowing across the yard directly toward the build site. We redirected the flow and added stone steps so guests could move from the kitchen out into the yard without tracking mud back into the house.
- Georgia weather. Even with a few rainy days, we kept the build on schedule and finished in just 15 working days.
The Transformation: A Two-Zone Backyard Retreat
The finished backyard now works as a true entertaining venue with distinct spaces for each homeowner.
Dion's Outdoor Kitchen
A semi-custom outdoor kitchen built around the Big Green Egg, set beneath a custom-colored under-deck ceiling with integrated drainage and lighting. A sleek, modern ceiling fan keeps smoke moving, and privacy screens and comfortable seating round out the space. (We hear a TV and a custom sound system have already been added.)
Debra's Dining Retreat
A classic wooden pergola over a modern paver patio, anchored by a minimalist charcoal-colored fire table. Custom TimberTech-integrated privacy screens elegantly block the neighbors' sightlines so guests can dine or relax by the fire in peace.
Stonework That Matches the House
The stone-wrapped columns mirror the stonework on the front of the home, delivering on the most important requirement of all: the new outdoor living space looks like it was there from day one.
The Result: A Five-Star Review and a Return Invitation
"I loved their work and will use them again." — Dion
Dion was so happy that the finished build matched the 3D design that he left a five-star review before the dust had settled. As the couple prepares for a future pool installation, we've already been invited back to design the poolside pavilion.
Is Your Home "Party Central" but Missing the Right Space?
Whether you need to manage smoke, create privacy from the neighbors, solve a drainage issue, or coordinate a complex multi-trade outdoor living project, Archadeck of Northwest Georgia is here to help you get it right the first time. Contact us at (706) 943-9345 or fill out our consultation form to get started on your project today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an outdoor kitchen and pergola project take to build? This Villa Rica project was completed in 15 working days of construction. The full process—including design, 3D renderings, and HOA/city permitting—added about five weeks on the front end. Timelines vary based on scope, permitting, and site conditions.
How much does a custom outdoor kitchen and patio cost in Northwest Georgia? This multi-part project—an under-deck outdoor kitchen, pergola, paver patio, drainage, and privacy screens—fell in the $70,000–$75,000 range. Your investment depends on materials, square footage, drainage needs, and finishes. We provide transparent, itemized pricing before any work begins.
Can you handle HOA approval and permitting for me? Yes. We prepare the full HOA and city permitting package on your behalf and manage the submittal so you don't have to. For this golf course community, we earned approval on the first try.
Do you coordinate all the different trades? Yes. We manage carpenters, electricians, gutter specialists, and hardscape crews so your project runs as one coordinated build rather than a series of disconnected contractors.
