Hints of spring are in the air, evoking the anticipation of watching the sun rising up over the mountains in the cool mornings, coffee cup warming your hands, and spending late evenings grilling out, surrounded by your best friends.

While a select few may be content doing these activities on the grass, most of us would prefer to have an inviting, comfortable outdoor living space. Whether you want to renovate an existing space or build one from scratch, here are a few issues to consider before hiring a builder.

How will you use your outdoor living space? 
This is the first question you should answer. Be honest with yourself. You may be the life of the party, but if you dislike hosting, it is unrealistic to think that an outdoor space will transform you into a super-host. Will you be cooking often enough to justify an outdoor kitchen? Do you value the feeling of being in nature, despite all of its leaves, hail, snow, rain, and dirt that will inevitably fall upon your space? Or do you prefer some type of protection—either entirely closed in with screens to keep out insects, or a roof?  Will you primarily use it in the mornings or evenings? For relaxation or entertainment?

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