If You Can Dream It,
We Can Build It

Proposals can vary significantly because contractors may not be including the same scope of work, materials, site preparation, construction methods, or level of finish. Pricing can also reflect how a contractor operates their business, including proper licensing, insurance coverage, workers’ compensation, and employees on payroll. These protections and operating standards are part of the true cost of completing a project responsibly. When comparing proposals, look beyond the final number and make sure you understand exactly what is, and isn’t, included and who you are trusting to complete the work.

CJR’s pre-construction services are designed to thoughtfully plan your project before construction begins. Depending on the scope, this can include site evaluation, custom design, material selections, budgeting, engineering coordination, permitting, HOA submittals, drainage planning, and construction preparation. By bringing design and construction expertise together early, we can identify important details upfront, create a more accurate project scope and budget, and help set your project up for a smoother construction process.

We like to think of your outdoor project as an investment in your home, property, and the way you’ll enjoy your space for years to come. Every project is unique, and the level of investment can vary significantly depending on the overall scope, size, site access, existing conditions, demolition, materials, finishes, engineering, and custom features you choose.

Establishing a comfortable investment range early allows our team to design and plan with your priorities in mind. It helps us guide you toward where your investment will have the greatest impact, recommend materials and features that make sense for your goals, and develop a realistic scope before moving too far into the design process.

We understand that an outdoor construction project can be a significant investment, and we don’t take that lightly. Our goal is to be transparent about costs, help you understand where your investment is going, and thoughtfully balance design, functionality, quality, and long-term value.

To help make outdoor projects more accessible for our clients, CJR also offers flexible financing options through our trusted financing partners. This gives homeowners the ability to consider different ways to fund their project and choose an option that works best for their goals and financial plans.

There are many factors that can influence the overall investment of an outdoor construction project beyond what you see in the finished space. Project size and complexity, site access, demolition, grading, soil or rock conditions, drainage, existing utilities, engineering requirements, permits, material selections, finishes, and custom features can all affect the final cost.

Every property also comes with its own unique conditions. Limited equipment access, elevation changes, existing structures, underground utilities, or concealed conditions may require additional labor, equipment, materials, or specialized construction methods.

The details matter, which is why we place so much value on proper planning and pre-construction. Our goal is to identify as many of these factors as possible upfront, develop a clear and detailed scope of work, and provide transparent pricing so you understand what is included in your project. While unforeseen conditions or changes can arise during construction, thoughtful planning helps minimize surprises and allows you to make informed decisions about where and how you invest in your outdoor space.

What’s underneath your finished project is just as important as what you see on the surface. Proper excavation, grading, compaction, drainage, reinforcement, and base preparation all contribute to the long-term performance of concrete, hardscape, landscaping, pools, and other outdoor improvements.

A beautiful, finished product is only as good as the foundation beneath it. Cutting corners during preparation can lead to settling, cracking, drainage problems, movement, and other costly issues over time. Many of the most important components of a quality outdoor project are ultimately buried or covered once construction is complete, making proper preparation even more important.

This is one of the differences we strive to make in the outdoor construction industry. We want our clients’ investments to last and never be compromised by hidden issues beneath the surface, such as improper drainage, inadequate compaction, or insufficient base preparation. At CJR, our focus isn’t only on how your project looks on completion day, it’s about doing the work correctly from the ground up and building an outdoor space designed to perform for years to come.

Outdoor projects can be planned and built throughout the year. The best time to start depends on your project, desired completion date, design and permitting requirements, and contractor availability. Starting the planning process early gives you more time for design, selections, approvals, and construction, especially if you have a specific season or event you’d like your outdoor space ready for.

At CJR, we stay busy year-round building for local homeowners. Some clients choose to begin construction during the fall or winter months to get a head start on having their outdoor space ready for summer, while others begin planning in the spring for a fall or winter project. There truly isn’t one “perfect” season to get started.

The most important thing is to plan ahead. Custom outdoor projects can involve design, engineering, HOA approvals, permitting, material selections, and other pre-construction steps before construction ever begins. Reaching out early gives our team the time to thoughtfully plan your project and helps position you for the completion timeframe you have in mind.

Yes. CJR is an all-in-one outdoor construction company offering custom pools and spas, concrete and hardscape, landscaping, and outdoor living features. Rather than coordinating multiple contractors for different portions of your project, our team can bring the entire outdoor space together from initial planning and design through construction and completion. This allows each element to be thoughtfully planned together, creates better coordination throughout construction, and gives you one team to communicate with from start to finish.

Outdoor projects can be planned and built throughout the year. The best time to start depends on your project, desired completion date, design and permitting requirements, and contractor availability. Starting the planning process early gives you more time for design, selections, approvals, and construction, especially if you have a specific season or event you’d like your outdoor space ready for.

At CJR, we stay busy year-round building for local homeowners. Some clients choose to begin construction during the fall or winter to get a head start on having their outdoor space ready for summer, while others begin planning in the spring for a fall or winter project. There truly isn’t one “perfect” season to get started.

We also believe in being transparent about timing from the beginning. Once construction starts, thoughtful scheduling and efficient project sequencing are important to us. We understand that having a construction project underway at your home impacts your everyday life, and we value the time you allow our team to be on your property. Our goal is to keep each phase moving forward, coordinate crews, subcontractors, materials, and inspections as efficiently as possible, and avoid having projects unnecessarily sit between stages due to scheduling.

We want you enjoying your finished outdoor space just as much as you do. While weather, inspections, material availability, unforeseen conditions, and other factors can occasionally affect a construction schedule, we communicate those circumstances along the way and work to keep your project progressing from start to finish.

A design-build approach brings planning, design, and construction together under one team from the very beginning. Instead of having a designer create a plan and then handing it off to a separate contractor to determine how, or whether, it can be built within your budget, design and construction work together throughout the process.

At CJR, we approach design with real-world construction knowledge in mind. This allows us to consider important details such as site conditions, access, elevations, drainage, materials, construction methods, project sequencing, and cost while your outdoor space is still being designed. The goal is to create something that not only looks beautiful on paper, but is practical to build and aligned with the investment you’re prepared to make.

This approach can also help save money by identifying potential challenges earlier, reducing unnecessary redesigns, limiting miscommunication between separate companies, and helping prevent costly changes once construction is already underway. It also allows the different elements of your outdoor space, from pools and concrete to landscaping and outdoor living features, to be planned together rather than independently.

For our clients, it means fewer moving parts and one team that understands the project as a whole. From the initial concept through pre-construction and the final build, everyone is working toward the same vision, budget, and construction plan. The result is a more coordinated process, greater accountability, and a finished outdoor space that feels intentionally designed and built as one complete project.

Choosing the right contractor goes far beyond comparing the final price. Look for proper licensing, insurance, workers’ compensation, experienced payroll employees, quality construction practices, detailed proposals, clear communication, and a proven ability to properly plan and manage your project from start to finish.

Take the time to understand exactly what is included in each proposal, how the contractor prepares and builds their projects, who will actually be performing and overseeing the work, and how they communicate when questions or unexpected conditions arise. A beautiful portfolio is important, but so are the details you may never see once the project is complete.

Your outdoor project is a significant investment in your home, and the contractor you choose will play a major role in both your construction experience and the longevity of the finished project. Look for a team you trust, that is transparent about expectations, stands behind its work, and values the quality of your project just as much as the finished appearance.

Hiring a properly licensed contractor gives homeowners important protections and greater confidence in who is completing their project. Licensed contractors are required to meet state requirements and are held to established standards for their work and business practices. For outdoor projects involving structural work, excavation, electrical, plumbing, concrete, pools, or multiple trades, choosing a properly licensed and insured contractor is an important part of protecting your home, property, and investment.

Unfortunately, we’ve seen homeowners find themselves in difficult situations after hiring unlicensed or improperly insured contractors, sometimes left with unfinished projects, poor-quality work, unexpected costs, or money already paid with little recourse. These situations are one of the reasons we believe strongly in educating homeowners about who they hire and the risks that can come with choosing someone who isn’t operating legitimately.

As a homeowner, you have every right to ask a contractor for documentation of their license and insurance coverage and to verify that information before allowing work to begin on your property. A reputable contractor should be transparent and comfortable providing it. At CJR, we encourage homeowners to do their research, ask questions, and make an informed decision, whether they ultimately choose to work with us or another qualified contractor.

Absolutely. We value the client experience and don’t take the investment you’re making in your home and property lightly. From pre-construction planning and design through selections, scheduling, construction, and project completion, our team is here to guide you, communicate clearly, and keep you informed along the way. We’re in it together from start to finish, and beyond, so you have a team you can continue to count on even after your project is complete.

Working with an owner-operated company gives you a direct connection to the person responsible for the quality, reputation, and standards of the business. At CJR, you aren’t passed from a salesperson to a construction team after signing a contract. Owner Colton Ray is personally involved from the initial consultation through planning and construction, bringing his construction expertise directly to your project. This creates greater accountability, consistent communication, and a hands-on approach throughout the entire process.

At CJR, our focus is on the client and the project, not meeting sales quotas. We don’t believe in high-pressure sales or pushing homeowners into decisions that aren’t right for them. From the initial consultation, our goal is to listen, understand your vision, priorities, budget, and expectations, and provide honest professional guidance based on what makes sense for your property and project.

Because we are owner-operated and don’t use commissioned sales representatives, you’re working directly with the people who understand the design and construction behind what is being proposed. We believe in transparent conversations, realistic expectations, and making sure there is a good fit on both sides. Ultimately, we want our clients to feel informed, comfortable, and confident in their decisions, not pressured into signing a contract.

We believe the right contractor-client relationship starts with a good fit on both sides. CJR is a great fit for homeowners who value thoughtful planning, quality construction, clear communication, and a team that takes the details seriously. During the initial consultation process, we’ll learn about your project, priorities, expectations, and budget while giving you the opportunity to learn more about our approach. If we believe we’re the right team for your project, we’ll guide you through the next steps.

Getting started is simple. Submit a consultation request through our website and tell us a little about your property, project, and what you’re hoping to accomplish. Our team will personally review your inquiry and reach out to discuss your project further. From there, we can coordinate a complimentary on-site consultation with owner Colton Ray and begin determining the best path forward for bringing your outdoor vision to life.