Tag: gazebo

We don’t want to be the lowest price

Posted on by Andrea Grimmond

We don’t want to be the lowest price

For some people lowest price is the most important thing. However, with lowest price usually comes some sacrifices.

Here at Ultimate Alfresco, we don’t want to be the lowest price and there are several reasons why.

Quality. Style. Elegance

That is the kind of product we design and deliver at Ultimate Alfresco

We take pride in our team of highly valued, dedicated and creative alfresco specialists.

For each project we deliver a genuine, creative and high-quality outdoor room, not only in the delivery of the product but in the customer service delivery from beginning to end.

Our focus is delivering the product, in which you, the customer, can create and craft memories within your home and share with family and friends for many years to come.

We pay attention and listen to how we can deliver the quality product that meets your alfresco dreams.

To be able to deliver such a high-quality product and service, it is important to us to ensure that our business model entails a sustainable delivery component.

So, let’s look a little further as to why we, Ultimate Alfresco, don’t want to be the lowest price and why we value our people, product, service and customers.

Low price materials tend to break… a lot

Think about any purchases you’ve made in the past that you thought you got a good deal on, only to have them break or fail within a year.

This could be anything from clothes, shoes, tools, appliances, or even cars.

Have you ever bought that cheap outdoor chair at the start of the season, only to find it falling apart and weathered by seasons end?

Cheap things are cheap for a reason, plain and simple. Most of the time, corners are cut in production, and cheap isn’t made to last. It can become a cycle of going back to purchase the cheap thing repeatedly because you’re “saving money.”

Do Your Research

Do your research, ask friends and family if they have recommendations or first-hand accounts with the product you’re looking for, and make sure you’re going to get a lot of use out of whatever it is you’re buying. It might not make sense to splurge for quality if you are not going to use it.

One of the most important aspects of our service is that our staff are highly skilled experts in the outdoor area. Their passion for creating a well-designed space to meet your family’s needs is evident in the quality of work produced. Of course, it’s important to still do your research. There are some brands out there that try to present themselves as quality but aren’t.

We encourage you to read our reviews and call and ask us many questions about the process. We operate in a transparent and honest manner. What you see is what you get.

Quality Items Actually Cause You to Spend Less

Most of the time, if you opt for quality items, you’ll pay less overall.

Would you rather spend $1800 a year on a trending fake leather sofa only to find it falling apart after a year and needing replacement or would you rather spend $4000 on a high-quality sofa that will last 10 years or more?

Of course, you need to take a long-term view of your finances. Look back through your purchase history and see how much repeat purchases are costing you. Break down the cost per use when thinking of buying quality to lessen the blow. When you run the numbers, you’ll probably discover quality comes out ahead.

Lose the hassle and headache

Sometimes it is as simple as spending a little more on a better-quality product to save on time, hassle and money.

Do you really want to have to replace items regularly? (think back to that outdoor chair that you purchased at the start of the season.)

It’s tiring, especially if something breaks right after the warranty has expired (that always happens, right?). It just becomes an emotional and mental drain. In other words, a headache that we can do without!

One could argue that if you’re handy, you can repair cheap things or improve it. Yes, that’s true, but is it worth the time and effort? Save your sanity and splurge when it makes sense to do so. It will free up quality time to spend with your family and friends.

No matter how frugal you are, or how much you might want to save money, spending more on quality can be worth it. Don’t just think of the instant savings – think of the savings you’ll experience for years to come!

Feel welcome to contact us at Ultimate Alfresco if you are now ready to execute your dream design of the outdoor area you have always desired. We would be delighted to work with you in creating an elegant and stylish space for your family and friends.

 

Eight Easy Steps to your Ultimate Alfresco – Step 4

Posted on by Andrea Grimmond

Eight Easy Steps to your Ultimate Alfresco – Step 4

Once you are happy with your alfresco design, have signed off on your alfresco drawings and the project plan, (Step 3) then we get out our calculator.

You don’t want any nasty surprises and the only surprises we like to give are good ones. So we provide you with your final investment figure (the dollars) for your project.

During this step, you can still review your designs, even if you have signed off on them. And any final adjustments or tweaks will be incorporated into your final investment price.

Your investment into your alfresco is a fixed price.

This means you know what your investment is going to be, and no unexpected expenses occur.

If you are looking for a team to help you create your dream alfresco area, contact us. We’re here to help you make your outdoor dining and entertainment dream a reality. 

Find out more about the other steps of your Eight Easy Steps to your Ultimate Alfresco. 

Step 1 – Your initial consultation

Step 2 – Your estimated investment

Step 3 – Design decisions

Eleven planning questions to help you design your ultimate alfresco

Posted on by Andrea Grimmond

Designing Your Ultimate Alfresco 

Eleven planning questions to get you started

Whether it’s starting from scratch, revamping your patio into a divine alfresco area or extending your outdoor entertaining area, you need a plan. 

To help get you started, here are eleven planning questions to consider before starting to design your ultimate alfresco.

Download a copy of these questions here.

    1. What is my alfresco area going to be used for? 
    2. Am I designing it for entertaining or for “me time”?
    3. How often do I plan to use my alfresco area?
    4. What time of day (morning, afternoon, evening or all the time) will I use my alfresco area the most? 
    5. What is the orientation of my alfresco area?
    6. Do I plan to use it all year round?
    7. How much maintenance am I prepared to do?
    8. Do I have trees overhanging that will drop leaves?
    9. Do I want my alfresco area to be weatherproof?
    10. Do I want flexible roofing and walls, or fixed structures?
    11. What look and feel do I like in designs?

By answering these questions you should get a clear picture of what you want your outdoor space to look like. And, how you want it to function. 

If you are considering adding an alfresco to your home and need inspiration and help with understanding your options feel free to contact our alfresco specialist for further advice.

Creating an outdoor space to suit all seasons

Posted on by Andrea Grimmond

Creating an outdoor space to suit all seasons

Does your outdoor space suit all seasons.

Evenings and weekends spent with family and friends… eating, drinking and laughing or just relaxing. Sound familiar?

If so, you probably have an outdoor space. Outdoor spaces come in many forms. Yours might be a patio, pergola, gazebo, or deck. You might even have an Ultimate Alfresco outdoor space.

The question is – do you use your outdoor space all year around?

Traditionally, outdoor areas are used more during the temperate months of the year – early summer and early autumn are usually the favourite months for alfresco use here and around Albury Wodonga.

However, designing your outdoor area with a little imagination makes it possible to enjoy your space all year around.

Here are three tips on how to create an outdoor space to suit all seasons.

1.      Create a versatile space

The key to making sure you can use your outdoor area throughout the year is to install some form of shelter. Depending on your preferences, you can choose a range of roofing options, for example, Louvrtec opening roofs can be opened and closed to create shade or let the sun shine through.

You can also create versatile walls using shutters, louvre panels, outdoor blinds or sliding doors to provide you with screening and ventilation options.

Whatever your choice, creating a sheltered alfresco area will help you to get the most of your outdoor space throughout the year.

2.      Install climate control

Australia is a land of extreme temperatures. We regularly get40+º temperatures in Summer and minus temperatures in Winter. And, no-one really wants to be outside in those temperatures…unless you have a climate-controlled outdoor space.

Installing heating and cooling is the best way to counteract these extremes and improve the liveability of your alfresco area.

You have a number of options from electric heating and cooling to fireplaces and misting fans, and more. The choice is up to you.

3.      Have appropriate lighting

You shouldn’t have to head back indoors once the sun goes down. Not when it can be as simple as switching the lights on to keep the party going.

Investing in lighting is not only practical but also a great way to create ambiance. Outdoor lighting comes in many different forms and can be both functional and beautiful. Think about what you’d like your alfresco area to feel like. Warm and cosy with a low lighting, or bright and modern with clean bright lights. When it comes to lighting ideas consider what would be most appropriate for your outdoor space. And, if you need help, talk to us.

Bonus fourth tip – Choose your furniture carefully. Read more about this here.

If you need help creating your dream alfresco to suit all seasons, feel free to contact our Alfresco Specialist, Letitia Awdjew.

Patios and Pergolas – what’s the difference?

Posted on by Andrea Grimmond

Patios and Pergolas – what’s the difference?

When it comes to designing your outside space there are so many choices. For example, do you choose a patio or a pergola. And what is the difference between the two?

Below we’ve outlined the differences between these two garden features. And, we talk about how each one can really bring out the best in your outdoor area.

Patios

A patio is traditionally designed to expand the usable space of your home, turning your outside space or verandah into an outdoor room, so to speak.

Modern patio designs can create a perfect outdoor space for family gatherings, parties or even just for relaxing with a good book.

A basic patio is usually directly adjoining the outside wall of your home and has an area of flat, paved ground. A roof provides shelter and creates that outdoor room feeling.

Patios great for:

  • Adding value to your home
  • Giving a more spacious feel by creating an extra outdoor room
  • Shield you from the elements; rain, hail or shine

So, how are pergolas different from patios?

Pergolas

The primary difference between a pergola and a patio is in its purpose.

A patio is usually useable all year round

A pergola is designed to be an enhancing feature of your garden. Making it more versatile.

Traditionally pergolas are ornamental and designed to enhance the appeal of your garden.

A big difference with pergolas is that they are also usually free-standing. In saying this, they can be attached to the wall of your home too.

Similar to patios, pergolas can be made as open or as enclosed as you want them to be. If you seek some extra privacy you can add climbing or trailing plants to create a natural partition.

A pergola is a great way to extend your living space and to get more out of your garden or outdoor area.

Pergolas are great for:

  • Adding a touch of individual style to your garden
  • Making your outdoor space more visually appealing
  • Adding privacy to gardens that are overlooked by other homes

If you need help deciding whether patio or a pergola would suit your home, feel free to contact our alfresco specialist, Letitia