Plan Your Dream Patio and Fire Pit This Summer — Be Ready for Fall
- Cote Landscape Construction
Fall evenings around a fire pit are one of the best things about living in New England — but only if your patio and fire feature are in place before the leaves start to turn. Here's why summer is the ideal time to plan and build.
Why Summer Is the Perfect Time to Plan Your Patio and Fire Pit
There's nothing quite like a crisp fall evening in Rhode Island — leaves turning, the air getting cool, and a fire crackling in the backyard. If you've been thinking about adding a patio or fire pit to your property, now is exactly the right time to make it happen. Here's why summer planning puts you in the best position for fall enjoyment.
Construction Timelines Are Shorter Than You Think
A professionally designed and installed patio with a fire pit or outdoor fireplace typically takes two to four weeks from start to finish — but that doesn't account for the planning, material selection, permitting (if required), and scheduling that comes before the first shovel goes in the ground. Contractors book up fast in the summer and early fall. Starting the conversation now means you're not waiting until October when the window to enjoy your new space has nearly closed.
You Can See Your Space at Its Best
Summer is when you're actually using your outdoor space — which makes it the best time to identify what's missing. Where do people naturally congregate? Where does the light fall in the evenings? Where would you love to sit with a fire going? These observations, made while you're actually living outdoors, lead to better design decisions than trying to visualize everything from inside in November.
Material Lead Times Matter
Natural stone, quality pavers, and custom fire features often have lead times of several weeks. Planning in July or August gives your contractor enough runway to source the right materials — not just whatever happens to be in stock. If you want a specific stone type, custom fire bowl, or built-in seating wall, that selection needs to happen now.
Extend Your Outdoor Season Significantly
A fire pit or outdoor fireplace does something remarkable: it extends your outdoor living season by weeks, sometimes months. In New England, a well-placed fire feature lets you comfortably enjoy your patio from early spring through late November. That's a meaningful return on your investment — more evenings outside, more gatherings with family and friends, more time in the space you've built.
What to Think About When Planning
• Location: Wind direction, proximity to the house, views from inside, and access from indoor living areas all matter.
• Size: Think about how many people you typically host. A patio that feels spacious for two can feel cramped for eight.
• Fire Feature Type: Wood-burning fire pits offer that authentic campfire experience. Gas fire features offer convenience. Built-in outdoor fireplaces make a bold architectural statement.
• Seating: Consider whether you want built-in seating walls (great for maximizing space) or prefer to use furniture.
• Lighting: Don't overlook lighting — it transforms the space after dark and is much easier to install during construction than after.
Let's Design Your Outdoor Living Space
Cote Landscape Construction specializes in custom patio and fire feature installation throughout Northern Rhode Island. We'll work with you to design a space that fits your property, your lifestyle, and your budget — and we'll make sure it's ready to enjoy before the first frost.
Summer slots are filling up. Call us at (401) 450-4547 or contact us online to schedule a consultation today.
- Patios
- Fire Pits
- Outdoor Living
- Hardscaping
- Landscape Design
- Fall
Request a free estimate or call (401) 450-4547.