Before a single board is cut, you'll walk through your finished outdoor space in 3D. Know exactly what it looks like, what every detail costs, and how it will be built — then decide if you want to move forward.
Most outdoor living projects look good on day one. The question is how they hold up — and whether they actually function the way you imagined. The answer usually comes down to one thing: design.
"Design isn't just about aesthetics — it's about foresight."
Your design investment is the foundation that makes everything else possible — accurate pricing, smooth permitting, and a build that matches exactly what you envisioned. It's not an extra cost. It's what separates a project that goes perfectly from one that doesn't.
The design package is structured to give you complete clarity before you commit to construction. Here's exactly what's included and what happens at each step.
Our outdoor living specialist visits your property for a comprehensive site assessment. We evaluate everything that affects design — layout, grades, access points, drainage, structural considerations, and how you plan to use the space.
A fully custom 3D rendering developed specifically for your space, your home, and how you want to use the area. Not a template — every design is built from scratch based on what we discovered at your property.
Once the 3D design is approved, we produce construction-ready architectural plans and a formal line-item estimate built directly from the design. No guesswork, no vague ranges — a real number built from a real plan.
When you're ready to build, we execute. Your approved plans go straight into permitting — we handle every submission, approval, and inspection. Then we schedule and build.
Every issue we see on job sites — budget surprises, change orders, permit delays, spaces that don't function as imagined — comes back to skipping proper design and planning.
See your finished space in 3D before signing a construction contract. No guesswork, no imagination required.
Intentional space design focused on usability and flow. No wasted square footage. Every zone serves a purpose.
Prevents price shock with smarter material choices and scope definition. Your estimate is built from the design — not guessed at.
Engineering plans eliminate guesswork. Fewer revisions, faster approvals, and no surprises from the permit office.
Structural planning and proper material selection reduce long-term maintenance needs and prevent costly rework years later.
The design investment is $3,000. This includes the in-person site visit, material sample review, full 3D rendering, architectural plans, line-item estimate, and 2 complimentary revisions. When you move forward with construction, $1,500 is credited back toward your project — making your net design cost $1,500.
For most projects, yes. Without a design, any estimate is really just a guess — and guesses lead to change orders. Our line-item estimate is built directly from the approved design, which means accurate pricing and no surprises during construction. We can give you rough ballpark ranges during your free discovery call and in-person consultation, but a real estimate requires a real design.
The design phase typically takes 2–3 weeks from the start of design development to your first 3D presentation. After revisions are approved, architectural plans are completed and submitted for permitting — which we handle entirely.
The design investment is non-refundable if you choose not to proceed with construction — but you keep everything: the 3D renderings, architectural plans, and line-item estimate. Some clients use these to get competitive quotes or revisit the project later. The $1,500 credit only applies if you move forward with Ace of Decks.
Absolutely. If you already have construction-ready architectural plans, we can often skip directly to permitting and scheduling — which moves your project forward faster. Let us know during your discovery call and we'll tell you exactly what we need to get started.
Once the 3D design is approved, we finalize architectural plans and submit for permits — we handle every part of this process. Once permits are approved, we schedule your build. Most projects complete 1–3 months from signed contract. Want to see the full process? See Our Process Page →
Start with a free discovery call — we answer your questions and walk you through what's possible. From there, we move into your in-person consultation and design.
Tell us about your project — we respond within 1 business day.
Ace of Decks LLC offers professional outdoor living Design & Planning services for homeowners across DuPage, Kane, and Will County. Our $3,000 design investment includes a full in-person site evaluation, TimberTech material sample review, custom 3D renderings, architectural plans, line-item estimate, and two complimentary revisions — with $1,500 credited back toward your construction project. Our Design & Planning package guides homeowners from initial concept to approved construction plans. Serving Naperville, Bolingbrook, Barrington, Hinsdale, St. Charles, Geneva, Glen Ellyn, Downers Grove, Palatine, Wheaton, Plainfield, and Aurora, Illinois.
