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Landscape Design and Construction To create pre-made modular outdoor living units that allow for seamless phasing of these types of scenarios, Belgard joined forces with Harmony Outdoor Living. The collection, called Belgard Elements, includes modular kitchen units, fire and water features, seat walls, and decorative units such as wine holders made with Belgard Hardscapes products, offering a cohesive look to a design that can be phased out across a number of months or years. Belgard Elements are shipped in pre-made sections on palettes and can be quickly and easily installed onsite using a skid-steer loader. These modular units are also available as design elements in the Belgard Design Studio, taking the guesswork out of planning a phased project. Lesson #3: Professional advice Before beginning construction, O'Neill offers additional considerations in planning future needs of each phase of a modular construction project. Setbacks, Permits and Clearance: Check with local municipalities on building codes regarding above-ground hardscapes. Setbacks from property lines will vary and there may be other issues to consider. For example, wood-burning fireplaces typically must be 10 feet away and 2 feet above any other structure. Gas-burning fireplaces, however, can often butt directly up to other construction. In addition, you may need permits to run the electrical, gas or plumbing, but typically will not need permits to install the modular units. For future phase installations, remember to allow for 6 feet of access and 4,000-pound load capacity for the skid-steer loader. Drainage: Plan pitch away from the outdoor kitchen and house. Pitching toward the fireplace is acceptable and often necessary, since a wood-burning fireplace may require placement further away from the house. Foundation: Wherever a modular piece will be placed, install a 4- to 6-inch concrete pad below the finished grade. Pavers can be placed over the pad to create usable patio space. When it's time to place the kitchen or fireplace, the pavers can be removed and the foundation will be ready. When planning a project over an existing concrete patio, keep in mind the age and thickness of the patio and account for future load issues. For example, a typical Belgard Elements fireplace consists of a base unit that weighs 3,700 pounds and a chimney unit that weighs 2,600 pounds. Plumbing, Gas and Electrical: All lines can be stubbed into footings, capped and paved over. Remember to mark utility lines. Normal-voltage and low-voltage lighting can be pre-planned for installation into pillars, end caps, and the modular units themselves. Outdoor stereo speaker wires can also be run in pre-construction. Be sure to bury all of these elements 4 inches below grade. Concrete pads that are 4 to 6 inches in depth and include adequate footings and steel reinforcement should be installed during pre-construction to support the heavier elements of the design, even if those elements will not be added until months or years in the future. Doing so will increase the speed and efficiency of future installations and decrease the overall cost of the project in the long run. For a project to be successful, careful pre-construction planning is essential. Whether it's a small garden walkway or a completely customized outdoor living room, proper planning will ensure that the job is done right each and every time. LI For more information, visit www.Belgard.biz or www.belgarddesignstudio.com. 20 Landscape and Irrigation February 2013 www.landscapeirrigation.com