by Kristen Alliegro

Created on: June 17, 2008

A patio can be an excellent addition to a home, creating a space for diversified uses. Any additions to a house is also fiscally beneficial and considered a valuable improvement should one decide to later sell the home. The investment can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands, depending on the style, the size, the materials and inevitably, who will perform the labor.

Hiring a contracting firm to build for you is an easy and labor-free method. There are several steps that need to be taken before accepting bids on any contracted project. First, determine where you'd like your new addition to be built and the size. Take into consideration that any firm is going to make every effort to sell more than what might actually be asked for. Ensure that the companies you contact deal specifically in patios and there are options for both enclosed and open air styles. Next, research at least five local firms. From those five, call the Better Business Bureau and see if any reports have been made in respect to service or product quality. Choose at least three to come and offer a quote. A quote is not the same as a bid. Contractors will have a tendency to quote AND bid low. When talking with the representatives, have your style in mind and what you will choose to use your patio for, along with measurements. Lastly, before you accept any quotes and offer a contractor the opportunity to bid on the project, ensure that you will be getting what you want for your money. Clearly, by hiring another party to do the work, there's a great deal of process that you will not need to manage, such as finding out if your area requires a permit of any sort, dealing with the utility companies to mark your power, gas and/or water lines, not to mention the labor. It is up to the homeowner to determine if the expense is a fair trade for not having to do all the research required by a do-it-yourselfer prior to beginning any building-related project.

On the other hand, as a do-it-yourselfer, you're not inhibited by pre-set material or style options that are available from contractors. The starting point is similar. Determine your size, style and uses first. Will this be a dining area or a lounging spot? Is this adjacent to a garden, home foundation, or other impeding structure that have to be considered? Is it purely to compliment your favorite rose bushes or will there be an incorporation of various mediums and styles into the patio? If one is looking to host gatherings, a larger patio size

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