You can feel it in the air: Warmer days are just around the corner. As it's finally time to start venturing into the great outdoors once again, many homeowners are taking stock of the summer ahead. That comes with more family time and the return of backyard parties, celebrations and more.

If more socializing is back on your summer schedule, then now is the time to consider improvements to your outdoor space. That's where the team at Archadeck of Northwest Philadelphia comes in: Husband and wife duo Karim and Jessica Mrad have a team of expert builders and designers ready to turn your outdoor entertaining dreams into a reality.

Together with more than 50 locations, Archadeck has built over 135,000 structures since its founding in 1980, making it North America's largest deck and porch design and building firm. Beyond that, Archadeck also offers outdoor structures including covered spaces, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, sunrooms and more.

Karim, an engineer, and Jessica, an architect, have taken their experience and brought it to the backyards of their own Northwest Philadelphia community. "We consider ourselves to be in the service business, not in the construction business," explains Karim Mrad. "We have more than 50 offices around the nation but we are local and know this area because it is our home as well. Our carpenters and project managers have the local and professional knowledge to build within your budget and to match what you were envisioning for your home."

Getting started
Mrad says that now is the ideal time to start planning your big summer projects with Archadeck. "Today is the best day to start that project you've been thinking about all winter," says Mrad, who offers around a three-month turnaround time from initial conversation to final build. "We're starting to hear from people looking outside and seeing that it's time to start preparing for the warmer weather."

When considering an outdoor build, Mrad says there are some essential elements to make the project easier, accessible and more affordable.

"When you're looking at your outdoor professionals, you want to ask: Are they licensed; are they insured; will they handle all of the aspects of your projects? What will they provide to get the job done in a way that doesn't take too long?"

Archadeck is a full-service firm, meaning they offer everything from design to build, including sourcing all materials, completing permits and HOA approvals, organizing warranties and schedules, and even developing financing plans. It starts by contacting the team on their website or over the phone. From there, an Archadeck designer will work with you to understand the nature of your project, your budget and how you want your outdoor project to fit into your lifestyle.

"It helps that we have so many national resources, because we are able to show a wide range of ideas to draw inspiration from," explains Mrad. "No two projects are the same, they each have their own needs, budget and each have their own homeowners who will use the finished product in their own way, so we can show them designs that match up with their personal style or the layout of their backyard, to better consider how their design can function."

That includes looking at industry trends. Mrad says that outdoor designs are continuously leaning toward hassle-free materials. "Low-maintenance decking continues to be the trend, and is also very sustainably sourced.

You want to enjoy your deck; you don't want to have to worry about it," he says. Backed by the national brand, Archadeck of Northwest Philadelphia offers customers premium warranties and protections focused entirely on the homeowner. "We work with a network of suppliers who are able to make sure that the essentials are always available, including railing and lumber. No matter what happens your product is going to be delivered on time and in the quality you want."

Outdoor kitchens have also skyrocketed in popularity, especially as people all over the area have embraced the opportunities of entertaining at home. "Our customers are excited to welcome people back into their homes again, and having an outdoor kitchen space means you never have to be away from people for too long."

With a summer of reunions and long-awaited fun in store, Mrad and the team at Archadeck of Northwest Philadelphia are here to help make memories that last a lifetime. "People have spent the last two years connecting with their home on a new level, and in that time many homeowners have realized that there's so much potential in the outdoors," he says. "We're lucky to be part of that."

Archadeck of Northwest Philadelphia
(484) 275-2032
Archadeck.com/Northwest-Philadelphia

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 24, Issue 4 (March 2024)
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