Interview with Lawrence Winterburn, continued from Page 3. Readers interested in decks should be able to derive new deck ideas from the interview. On this page, I ask Lawrence to give us a feel for the process by which designers and clients decide on deck ideas -- and where they go from there.
Deck Ideas, Clients and Designers
Q. In browsing your Web site, I was struck by the diversity of deck ideas to be found in your portfolio. I’d like you to give us some indication as to how these deck ideas are arrived at, in terms of input from the client.
A. Clients simply want to be heard. The first step to inspired deck design ideas is to listen. You may well have better deck ideas than the client, but when it comes down to having your deck design accepted by the clients you must first acknowledge their needs… then address those within your deck design verbally.
The client will normally have a shopping list of what features they want incorporated into their dream deck. Could be lighting, placement, a pergola, composite decking. Most of the time when a client supplies a sketch I am overjoyed. It means they have thought about what they envision -- and it means that the competitive contractors will likely bid on exactly that. This gives me the opportunity to upstage the competition with something better.
The client wants everything to happen within their budget. Sometimes they just want something fabulous… and price doesn’t matter.
The customer pretty much wants something stellar. Something to make their friends and neighbors green with envy. They want wow…whether they can afford it or not.
Q. Now put the shoe on the other foot when it comes to arriving at deck ideas, speaking to the issue from the deck designer’s viewpoint.
A. This is where the client and builders desires meet. We want to build them wow! That will make all their friends and family seek us out. That holy grail of enough word of mouth marketing that will give us job security and bookings 1-year forward. (Though you can do that by not charging enough). Of course we want it to be perfectly functional, we want to profit from the job and we want it to be efficient and easy to build without any warranty work.
Q. What were some of the more unusual requests along these lines made by clients? Which of these unique deck ideas were most challenging for you, as the builder, to install?
A. Generally I like the projects best where they give me a wish list after we talk budget and then they let me have at it. I normally play off the home’s style and try to make the deck grow into the space. Once you know what is possible within a certain budget you can play with materials, surfaces and finishes.
The homeowners in one case wanted to use a piece of stained glass that was mounted in a window frame -- but we dispensed with that deck idea due to maintenance issues.
Plenty of people want to have a roofed area below a deck where they can put out furniture and not worry about the moisture -- it is always a challenging detail even with the under-deck products available now. Most of our decks are not the traditional shape.
We met with clients last week that wanted part of the portion to be ceramic tile on a wood deck since they own a bath boutique and plumbing distribution business. I explained that wood expands and contracts due to moisture content...the tile should me more or less dimensionally stable...causing voids which would fill up with water… and freeze… and disbond… and get worse over the years. Once I explained all this, they reconsidered.
I remember in the early days it took longer to create details than today. Design is the largest challenge for most builders. It’s likely why our “Builder Group” is growing so quickly.
About Our Expert on Deck Ideas:
Lawrence Winterburn is the founder of GardenStructure.com, a Garden Woodwork Design firm, offering licensed production of their products in 25 locations across North America. GardenStructure.com DIY and Professional level plans are distributed through retailers and the website. His designs have been showcased in numerous magazines, newspapers and television shows across North America. Programs helping design professionals and skilled sub-trades utilize GardenStructure.com expertise have recently been initiated. Learn more about Lawrence and GardenStructure.com at the Decks Blog.
