Custom Outdoor Living in Grand Rapids, MI
Patios, pergolas, fire pits, and complete outdoor living spaces designed and built across West Michigan by one crew, from sketch to final walkthrough.
The Backyard You Keep Putting Off
Most homeowners know what they want. A place to grill without standing in the grass. A pergola for shade. A fire pit for fall evenings. A patio that connects the deck to the yard instead of a random stepping stone path.
What stops them is coordination. Landscape designers don’t build decks. Deck builders don’t pour concrete. Masons don’t wire low-voltage lighting. You end up calling three contractors, three timelines, three quotes, and three warranties.
One builder who handles the whole yard makes the project happen. That’s what Signature Decks does.
What We Build
Custom Pergolas
Wood, fiberglass, or composite. Attached or freestanding. Full structural engineering, not kit assembly. Electrical runs for fans and lighting included in the design from day one.
Patios & Hardscaping
Pavers, natural stone, stamped concrete. We design the patio as part of the outdoor living plan, not as an afterthought. Proper drainage, proper base prep, proper transitions to decks and landscaping.
Fire Pits & Fire Features
Gas or wood-burning, built-in or freestanding. Integrated into patio and seating layouts with proper clearances and code compliance. Fall evening builds that get used every weekend.
Outdoor Kitchens & Bars
Built-in grill stations, prep counters, storage, and utility runs. Designed around how you actually cook outside, not what a brochure says an outdoor kitchen should look like.
Outdoor Lighting & Electrical
Low-voltage landscape lighting, pergola-mounted fixtures, built-in deck lighting, and GFCI outlets for everything you plug in. Planned and wired from the start, not added later at twice the cost.
Integrated Deck + Patio Designs
The transition between a deck and a patio is where most builds fail. We design deck-to-patio transitions as one continuous space, not two projects that meet at a weird corner.
Why Homeowners Pick Signature for Outdoor Living
One builder, one crew, one vision
No coordinating three contractors. No finger-pointing between trades when something doesn’t line up. Scott’s crew handles the deck, the patio, the pergola, the lighting, the fire pit — start to finish, one project, one accountable builder.
Designed around your home and your yard
We walk the full property before designing. Sun exposure, drainage, existing landscape, sight lines from inside the house. The plan fits your yard, not a template.
Built to last through Michigan weather
Freeze-thaw cycles destroy poorly-built patios. We spec base prep and drainage that survive 20 Michigan winters. Pergolas engineered for snow load. Electrical boxes rated for outdoor use, not the kind that melt after three seasons.
Respect for your property
We protect landscaping during construction, clean up at the end of every day, and leave the yard better than we found it. Check the Google reviews — the “cleaned up the site” comment is in almost all of them.
How It Works
Free Consultation
We walk the property with you. Sun exposure, sight lines, how you want to use the space. No sales pressure.
Custom Design
Site plan, material selections, lighting layout, and a full written scope. You see exactly what’s planned and what it costs.
Expert Construction
Everything done on-site by one crew. Daily progress, daily cleanup, respect for your property from start to finish.
Final Walkthrough
We test every outlet, every light, every feature. Warranty paperwork, care instructions, and a yard ready for years of use.
What Homeowners Say
“They did a fantastic job on our new deck. We have twice the space to play and eat. This summer we have another living space outdoors. They were very thorough, and made sure the deck was triple strength reinforced.”
“Scott and his team did a fantastic job on our deck and were great to work with. There was excellent communication and follow-up both prior to and during the build. The workmanship was top notch and the final product turned out beautifully.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you design a deck and patio as one project?
Yes. Most of our outdoor living projects combine decks, patios, and pergolas as a single design. Building them together is usually less expensive than building them separately, and the transitions look intentional instead of improvised.
How long does an outdoor living project take?
Depends on scope. A pergola alone might be 2 to 3 weeks. A deck-plus-patio build is typically 6 to 10 weeks. Full outdoor living renovations with kitchens and lighting can run 10 to 14 weeks. Your exact timeline is set during the design phase.
Do I need a permit for a patio or pergola?
Patios often don’t require a permit in Kent County, but pergolas, attached structures, and any work with electrical runs typically do. We handle the permit process as part of your project so you don’t have to navigate it.
Do you do the landscaping too?
We handle hardscape (patios, walkways, fire pits, structures, lighting). For planting and garden design, we coordinate with trusted local landscape designers and bring them into the planning early so everything lines up at the finish.
What does an outdoor living project cost?
Wide range depending on scope. A basic paver patio starts in the low five figures. Full outdoor living renovations with pergola, fire pit, lighting, and integrated deck can run mid-to-high five figures or higher. Every project is quoted from custom design, not a catalog.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. We offer financing options so homeowners don’t have to delay their project. Details and rates are discussed during your consultation.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Signature Decks & Construction carries full general liability insurance and worker’s comp, and we hold the licenses required for deck and outdoor construction work in Kent County and surrounding municipalities. You’re welcome to request certificates of insurance before any project starts.
Do you charge for estimates?
No. Consultations and estimates are free. The only exception is if a project requires input from a structural engineer (rare, and usually only on major rebuilds or complex elevations) — we’d tell you about any engineering fee before it’s incurred, with no obligation.
Is Signature's pricing competitive?
Yes, and you’ll see exactly why before any contract is signed. Scott runs an open-book approach to pricing — realistic line-item allowances, material costs spelled out, and a clear written scope. The goal is no surprises at the end of the project, and our clients consistently tell us the value shows up in the finished work.
Ready to love your outdoor space?
Free consultation, no sales pressure, no obligation. Tell us about your project and we’ll take it from there.