Broken Arrow Outdoor Living — What to Expect During Your Project Build
You’ve signed the contract, chosen your materials, and now you’re waiting for the VistaScapes crew to arrive. What actually happens during a professional outdoor living build? Here’s a week-by-week look at what you can expect from a typical complete outdoor living project in Broken Arrow.
Before Construction Starts
In the days before our crew arrives, we take care of the behind-the-scenes work:
- Permits pulled (if required for your project)
- Materials ordered and scheduled for delivery
- Gas contractor scheduled if natural gas connection is part of the project
- Utility locates called in (811 call to mark underground utilities)
- Final plan dimensions confirmed with you
Week 1: Excavation, Layout, and Foundations
The first week is about establishing the foundation of the project:
- Day 1: Crew arrives, stakes layout, establishes grades, begins excavation for footings (fireplace, seating walls, outdoor kitchen) and base preparation for the concrete slab
- Day 1–2: Trenching for gas lines (if applicable)
- Day 2–3: Gravel base installed and compacted for concrete areas; footing forms set and poured for masonry structures
- Day 3–5: Concrete slab forms set, rebar or wire mesh installed, control joints marked
By the end of week 1, the footings are poured and the concrete forms are in place. If you have a smaller project (patio only), the slab may be poured by end of week 1.
Week 2: Concrete Pour and Masonry Begins
- Day 6–7: Concrete truck arrives, slab is poured, stamped, colored, and finished; crew works quickly and precisely during the pour
- Day 8: Concrete curing — no work on the slab surface; masonry crew begins fireplace or outdoor kitchen block work
- Day 9–12: Masonry construction proceeds — block core of fireplace, smoke chamber formation, flue tile installation
This is the most visually exciting week — the concrete goes from forms to finished surface, and the masonry starts looking like a fireplace. Homeowners often stop out to watch the stamping process, which is genuinely satisfying to see.
Week 3: Finishing Masonry and Structural Work
- Day 13–16: Veneer stone or brick applied to fireplace exterior; outdoor kitchen masonry structure completed
- Day 15–18: Pergola or shade structure erected (if included)
- Day 17–18: Concrete sealer applied to cured slab (typically 7–10 days after pour)
Week 4: Finish Work and Final Inspection
- Day 19–21: Countertops installed on outdoor kitchen; appliances set and connected; gas line connection completed and tested
- Day 21–22: Lighting installation (if included)
- Day 22–24: Final detailing, cleanup, site restoration
- Day 24–25: Walk-through with homeowner; we walk every inch of the project together, address any final items, and hand over the space
After the Build: What You Should Know
- New concrete curing: Avoid heavy furniture on new concrete for 7 days; full strength reached at 28 days
- New masonry: Allow the outdoor fireplace mortar to cure for 7 days before first use; cure the firebox with small fires before full fires (see our curing guide)
- Sealer maintenance: Reseal your concrete every 2–3 years to maintain protection and appearance
- Warranty: VistaScapes warrants materials and workmanship — contact us directly with any concerns
Ready to Start?
The build process is a well-coordinated sequence that transforms your backyard in a matter of weeks. Homeowners consistently tell us the build was less disruptive than they expected, and the result exceeds what they imagined from the plans.
Call VistaScapes at 918-779-1317 to schedule your free consultation. We serve Broken Arrow, Tulsa, and all of northeast Oklahoma.
