TR Outdoor Designs

We recently had TR Outdoor Designs renovate our backyard patio and deck areas which abut our lakeside frontage. Bill Ray and his team completed this complex project in just under ten weeks and we couldn’t be happier with the result. Bill gave us a free and detailed estimate complete with a blueprint-sized drawing of the project. The price was fair. He had it split out in several phases and we were given the option to terminate at the end of any phase if we weren’t happy. That didn’t happen as all phases were completed expertly and timely and we were very satisfied with the results. Bill stated up-front that he never starts another project without first completing the one he is currently working on. He delivered on that promise. Our project including replacing an old worn out patio with pavers, remodeling an elevated deck, building a boardwalk on the edge of a very steep bank, widening a side walkway with a major drainage wall and pavers, a fire pit patio, building a wide stairway to our dock and lighting all areas with LCD accent lights. The project included elements of hardscape, landscape, carpentry, painting and electrical work. It was especially challenging as there were narrow walkways, a very steep embankment to the lake and limited access from the street. Bill knew exactly what steps he needed to take and in what order which made this complex project look simple. He knew when and how to bring in heavy equipment and when to dig by hand. There were no mishaps. We made several minor changes as the project progressed. Bill was very flexible. He volunteered good ideas and was easy to work with. He and his team always exhibited passion for their work. He periodically check pointed us to make sure we were happy with the progress. Bill paid special attention to proper drainage and made sure that water flows were directed at the lake to prevent soil erosion. He added drains in the right areas and pitched the surfaces areas ever so slightly to ensure proper runoff. Esthetically, the project looks beautiful. It could easily qualify for a photo spread in a landscape design magazine. Bill is not just an expert hardscape craftsman but, with many decades of hardscape experience he also has a good sense of what looks appealing. As an example, he brought in beautifully shaped rock boulders which he integrated with the edges of the patio areas. Another nice touch was the decorative copper conduit he used to cover the LCD accent light wires. When the project was complete, Bill left all yard areas as good as or better than they were when he started. This included roto-tilling and planting new seed on the front lawn where it had been necessary to transport heavy equipment. Bill is an honest and caring person who takes time to train his team and pass his skills along to the next generation. This will provide them with a good living in the years to come which is a testament to Bill’s ethical nature and sense of responsibility. We highly recommend Bill Ray and his team for any hardscape project.

Bill Ray did a great job. He arrived on site exactly when he said he would. He came prepared with all necessary tools and materials. He jack hammered and removed the original concrete steps and small, attached concrete slab. He removed 3/4 in of concrete from the front of the entrance to the attached four seasons room. He selected and installed stone exactly matching the stone burn pit, grill enclosure and steps that descend to the back yard from the previously hard-scaped patio. The installation required exacting measurements and placement of stone and grinding of concrete in order to avoid contact with the four seasons door. Because Bill had previously attached travertine slabs to the left and right grill enclosures, he selected travertine for the step treads. Bill was just as meticulous in his clean up as he was in his installation work......an excellent experience all around.

The jobs were done professionally and efficiently. The bill of materials was expertly estimated and delivered with no delays or waste. They were careful to relocate existing plants and flowers and kept the area clean and organized. This was especially noteworthy since the work had to be done on a slope that made it difficult to stage materials. The work on all facets of the patio project was excellent and we allowed TR to be creative in the design of the patio and the other structures which made the result better than what we would have expected. TR repaired damage to the yard that was done by bringing supplies and excavation equipment into the work site.