How We Transformed a Carmel Backyard with a Deck, Pergola, and Fire Pit, Part 1

Table of Contents

• What inspired this Carmel backyard transformation?
• How did the design process unfold?
• What challenges did the team face?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Jake:
Hey, everybody. My name is Jake. I'm the owner of Fine Touch Services. We're a lawn, landscaping, and hardscape company in Hamilton County, Indiana. We also service Boone over in Zionsville and Pendleton as well, but we primarily focus on lawn, landscape, and hardscape projects. Today, we have a versatile project to showcase.

We installed a fire pit, dug in a hot tub, built a deck, and added a patio pergola—all in one project. This property is located in Carmel, Indiana. I'm here with Malcolm, our sales director, who also helps manage larger-scale projects. We'll walk through the process from the initial request to the start of construction.

Jake:
Malcolm, Carmel has been a great area for us. When this project came in, the client had a lot of ideas. How did it all start?

Malcolm:
The client came to us in early February. It was still cold, but they wanted to start early to finish within the year. They had a blank slate backyard with a small deck and a new screen room. They wanted an outdoor living space that included multiple features while leaving space for their kids and dogs.

We started with a basic design, went through several tweaks, and finally landed on a plan they loved.

Jake:
I remember this project. We moved a lot of pieces around before finalizing. What was the most challenging part? Was it the in-ground hot tub or the deck?

Malcolm:
We had to adjust the shapes and sizes of the paver patio, manage drainage easements, and work within city and neighborhood requirements. The project ended up being quite large, with a composite deck and paver patio that fit perfectly in the available space.

What inspired this Carmel backyard transformation?

The homeowners wanted to create a true outdoor living space for their family. Their vision included a fire pit, hot tub, deck, and pergola, all while keeping enough open area for their kids and dogs to play. Starting with a blank slate, they reached out to Fine Touch Services to bring their ideas to life.

How did the design process unfold?

The project began in early February, with the clients eager to get started despite the cold weather. The team at Fine Touch Services worked closely with the homeowners, starting with a basic design and making several adjustments to meet their needs. The final plan balanced multiple features and made the most of the available space.

What challenges did the team face?

One of the biggest challenges was working within city and neighborhood requirements, including managing drainage easements. The team also had to carefully plan the shapes and sizes of the deck and patio to ensure everything fit perfectly. The result was a large, functional outdoor space that met all the client's goals.