Planning an outdoor project brings questions about design, budget, timing, construction, and long-term care. Get clear on what to expect before your Visionary Consultation.
If the answer you need isn't here, pick up the phone — we would much rather answer a five-minute question now than leave you guessing. Call (919) 634-2359 or send us a message and we will respond within 24 hours.
How ENC Designs approaches every project from the first phone call to the final walk-through.
The Visionary Consultation is our on-site first meeting. We walk your property, evaluate terrain and drainage, and listen carefully to how you intend to use the space. It is a conversation, not a sales pitch — typically about an hour, no pressure, no canned package pitch. By the end we will have a shared understanding of scope, budget range, and whether we are the right fit for your project.
After your consultation, we build a photo-realistic digital twin of your property in advanced 3D design software. You walk through scale, materials, lighting, and sightlines before any construction begins. This is how we eliminate the "I didn't expect that" moment after the work is done. Explore the 3D design process.
Yes. ENC Designs is a full design-build firm. A single team handles design, planning, engineering, and construction in-house. That means no subcontractor handoffs, no finger-pointing, and no scope drift — the same people who sketched your patio are the ones installing it.
Most full outdoor living builds run 3 to 8 weeks of active construction once materials are on site. A straightforward paver patio may finish in under two weeks. Larger projects — a complete outdoor room with kitchen, fire feature, and landscape — can run 8 to 12 weeks depending on weather, site conditions, and material lead times.
As much or as little as you want. Most clients prefer weekly check-ins with photo updates and a real-time project timeline they can reference anytime. We are easy to reach during business hours and we never disappear mid-project. Clear communication is one of our five process values.
Transparent answers about how we quote and what luxury outdoor living actually costs.
Custom design-build projects vary widely based on scope, materials, and site conditions. A standalone paver patio commonly runs in the five figures. A complete outdoor living renovation — paver patio, outdoor kitchen, fire feature, and landscape design — typically starts in the mid five figures and scales up based on square footage and finish level. Our Visionary Consultation includes a transparent budget conversation so you know what is possible before design begins.
The initial Visionary Consultation is complimentary. For larger projects, we may charge a refundable design retainer that covers the full 3D design work — which is credited back toward your project when you move forward with construction. We'll explain exactly how it works during your consultation.
We don't originate financing ourselves, but we can point you toward reputable third-party home improvement lenders that work well for projects in our price range. Most of our projects are paid in structured milestones tied to completed phases of work.
Because we are not a general landscaper. We are a design-build firm that engineers deep compacted bases, handles drainage, renders every project in 3D before construction, and warranties the work we install. The cost difference is the difference between a patio that looks great on day one and a patio that still looks great in year fifteen.
Where we work and how soon we can start.
We serve Wilmington, Smithfield, Carolina Beach, Surf City, Hampstead, Wallace, and Leland — along the NC 210 corridor from Johnston County to the coast. See our full service area coverage.
Sometimes. For select projects that fit our schedule and scope, we will travel beyond these communities and the NC 210 corridor. Call us with your zip code and a rough description of the project — we will tell you within a day whether we can take it on.
Lead time varies by season. Spring and early fall are our busiest periods and typically book 4 to 8 weeks out for design and another few weeks for construction. Winter is often the fastest window to get a project scheduled. Call to check current availability.
Yes. Coastal North Carolina's mild winters allow us to build patios, walls, and drainage work through much of the year. Sod, planting, and some finish work are scheduled around weather windows. We plan every project timeline around seasonal realities.
