Why December Is the Real Start of Your 2026 Outdoor Living Project
December isn’t just the year’s finale—it’s the unofficial kickoff for 2026 outdoor living projects. If you’re imagining a custom outdoor kitchen, covered patio, pavilion, or full backyard transformation, the smartest window to begin planning has already opened. Waiting until spring often means higher costs, longer delays, and fewer available options.
At Kiel Thomson Company, we see one truth again and again: early planning turns outdoor spaces into exceptional, architectural extensions of the home. Here’s why starting now sets you up for a better outcome next year.
Supply Chain Reality: Lead Times Still Matter
The pandemic may be behind us, but construction timelines haven’t snapped back to 2019 levels. Material prices remain roughly 40 percent higher than pre-2020, driven by tariffs on steel and aluminum and continued demand. Lead times for outdoor living essentials—premium decking, custom metalwork, stone, appliances, and high-end lighting—still stretch well beyond what most homeowners expect. Custom-fabricated items can run 12–16 weeks or more.
Planning in December means you can finalize materials in early 2026, secure pricing before spring increases, and claim ideal scheduling slots before the rush. It also gives you buffer room for surprises without pushing completion into the fall.
The Design-Build Advantage
Outdoor projects fail when they’re treated as isolated add-ons rather than integrated extensions of the home. Our design-build process keeps architecture, landscape, materials, and lifestyle considerations connected from day one.
We begin with discovery: how you live, what you value, how you entertain, which views matter, and how your outdoor space should flow from the indoors. From there, we move into design development, balancing aesthetics with practical execution. That includes site drainage, sun and wind exposure, architectural harmony, material specifications, and functional zones for cooking, dining, lounging, and circulation.
If you don’t have design support, we handle full drawings and detailed plans. Starting in December gives space for creativity, collaboration, and refinement—without the springtime rush.
Pre-construction planning then solidifies budgets, timelines, permits, and trade scheduling. When this phase is rushed, projects suffer. When it’s well executed, construction runs smoothly.
Why Spring Groundbreaking Matters
Outdoor construction depends on weather. The ideal window begins in April and May, when the ground thaws, concrete cures properly, and installation conditions are stable. Projects that break ground in spring typically complete by late summer or early fall—giving you a full season of use.
The December-to-May timeline looks like this:
December–February: Design, materials, permitting
March: Procurement and trade coordination
April/May: Construction begins
July/August: Completion and full-season enjoyment
This sequence allows for quality work without rush or compromise.
What True Outdoor Living Includes
For 2026, homeowners are planning more than patios. We’re seeing demand for custom pavilions, climate-controlled covered structures, integrated lighting plans, outdoor kitchens, fire features, pools, water elements, and landscape-architecture-driven environments. Each requires specialized knowledge, detailed planning, and synchronized execution—which is exactly why starting now matters.
The ROI of Outdoor Living
Outdoor spaces consistently deliver strong returns. Outdoor kitchens and covered structures often see 80–100 percent ROI, and landscaping improvements frequently match or exceed that in many markets. Beyond resale value, outdoor environments expand daily living space, improve entertainment capacity, and enhance overall quality of life. These benefits start immediately once the space is built.
The Cost of Waiting
Waiting until spring often means:
Compressed design timelines
Reduced material availability
Scheduling bottlenecks
Permit delays
Weather-related risk
Higher material costs
These challenges aren’t catastrophic—but they’re entirely avoidable with early planning.
Start Your 2026 Project Now
If you’re considering an outdoor living project, the most important step is simply starting the conversation. At Kiel Thomson Company, we guide clients from concept to completion with collaborative design, transparent budgeting, climate-appropriate materials, and dedicated project management.
The standout outdoor living spaces you’ll see next summer? They’re starting design right now.
If you’d like to begin your 2026 outdoor living project, we’re ready when you are.
