How much does it cost to create an outdoor living space?

The cost of creating an outdoor living space can vary depending on several factors, ranging from $30k to $100k or more. The final cost depends on the scope of the project, the size of the space, the materials used, and the desired features and amenities. We work closely with you to understand your vision and provide a detailed cost estimate based on your specific requirements.

How fast can you finish my outdoor living space?

The timeline for finishing your outdoor living space depends on various factors, including permitting, HOA design approval (if applicable), and the construction phase. Typically, the passive time, which includes obtaining permits and design approvals, can take around 12 weeks. The active construction phase can range from 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the complexity and scale of the project. Our team strives to complete your outdoor living space efficiently without compromising on quality, ensuring that you can enjoy your new space in a timely manner.

Can an outdoor living space be used all year-round?

Yes, an outdoor space can be used all year-round, especially when you incorporate features like infrared heaters. By adding heating elements, you can extend the usability of your outdoor space during cooler months. Infrared heaters provide warmth directly to objects and people, creating a comfortable environment. With proper design considerations, insulation, and the addition of heating elements, you can enjoy your outdoor living space throughout the year.

Do I need a permit for my outdoor living space?

Yes, building an outdoor space in Texas requires a permit from the Building Inspections Division. When you work with us, your trusted outdoor living space contractor, we guide you through the permit application process, so you don’t have to worry about filing paperwork with incorrect information.

How do I maintain and care for my outdoor living space?

To maintain and care for your outdoor living space, it’s recommended to restain posts every 3 to 5 years. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning surfaces, inspecting and repairing any damage, and ensuring proper drainage, helps prolong the lifespan and appearance of your outdoor living space. Following a routine maintenance schedule will keep your space looking its best and ensure that it remains a welcoming and enjoyable area for years to come.

Can I add a fire or a water feature to my outdoor living space?

Of course! Fire features, such as fire pits or fireplaces, can add warmth and ambiance, making your outdoor space cozy and inviting. Water features, such as fountains or waterfalls, can bring a soothing and tranquil element to your outdoor living area. Our design team can help incorporate these features into your outdoor living space, turning it into a captivating and rejuvenating oasis.

Pool Builder and Outdoor Living Contractor in Carrollton, TX

Custom pools, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, patios, and decks engineered for Carrollton lots, where the ground under the build decides how long the finish stays flat and level.

Trusted by 500+ Families Across Dallas–Fort Worth

Rated 5 out of 5

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Scroll to discover our outdoor living construction options, process, and pricing.

Groundwork First, Because Carrollton Sits on Clay That Moves

MCM Outdoor Living is a pool builder and outdoor living contractor in Carrollton, TX, building custom pools, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, patios, and decks as one connected backyard. Nearly every home here sits on a slab over expansive clay that swells when it takes on water and shrinks when it dries, so a build has to answer for that movement before anything visible goes in.

We treat the engineered groundwork as the real project, setting the elevations, routing water away from the slab and the pool shell, and compacting the base in lifts so the clay underneath does not telegraph up through the finish. Keeping design, permits, materials, and construction under one roof is how the pool, the patio, and the cooking space end up meeting at the right levels, because they share one grade and one drainage plan.

Our outdoor living services include:

Outdoor Living Services

MCM Outdoor Living designs and builds complete outdoor spaces for homeowners across Carrollton, TX, and every service starts from the same question, which is how the ground and the drainage have to be set up before the feature goes on top. Our work spans pools, pergolas, decks, patios, outdoor kitchens, fire features, and the hardscape that connects them.

One project manager runs the trades and the schedule from the first walkthrough through the final inspection, so you are talking to the same person the whole way. Certified installation, brand-name materials, and steady communication let us hand back outdoor spaces that stay level, drain the way they should, and hold up to Carrollton summers.

Swimming Pool Construction

The gunite shell rides in the same expansive clay that moves the slab under the house, so the dig depth, the steel schedule, and the deck base all get set for that movement before the first pour. Our swimming pool construction in Carrollton, TX starts with the groundwork and a reinforced shell built to hold its shape through the wet-to-dry swings.

Our swimming pool construction services include:

Pergola Installation

West-facing patios on Carrollton’s older lots catch direct sun through most of the afternoon, and a pergola is what makes that stretch of the day usable in July. Our pergola installation in Carrollton, TX sets the posts on footings poured past the active clay layer so the frame stays square for years.

Our pergola installation services include:

Deck Construction

Plenty of Carrollton yards fall away from the back door, and a raised deck turns that grade change into level square footage off the house. Our deck construction in Carrollton, TX frames capped composite and graded lumber on footings anchored below the soil that moves.

Our deck construction services include:

Outdoor Kitchen Installation

Running gas, water, and power out to a cooking island means trenching through the same clay everything else sits on, so those lines go in while the ground is already open for the build. Our outdoor kitchen installation in Carrollton, TX sets the utilities before the concrete pours, so nothing gets cut back into finished slab later.

Our outdoor kitchen installation services include:

Paver Patio Installation

Pavers flex with the ground where a poured slab tends to crack, which is exactly why they hold up over Carrollton clay once the base beneath them is compacted right. Our paver patio installation in Carrollton, TX is graded and compacted in lifts so the surface stays flat through the wet-to-dry cycles.

Our paver patio installation services include:

Covered Patio Installation

Carrollton gets its heaviest rain in spring, and a covered patio keeps the space dry through it while the posts carry the roof load down to footings set for shifting soil. Our covered patio installation in Carrollton, TX matches the roofline and materials to the house.

Our covered patio installation services include:

Retaining Wall Installation

Where a Carrollton yard grades toward a creek line or a low back corner, a retaining wall holds the soil in place and takes charge of where the runoff goes. Our retaining wall installation is engineered for drainage and for the way local clay pushes against it.

Our retaining wall installation services include:

Water Feature Installation

A water feature runs on its own circulation loop, so we plumb it while the pool and patio lines are already open and size the pump to keep it quiet. Our water feature installation picks up the same stone and finishes used across the rest of the space.

Our water feature installation services include:

Privacy Fence Installation

Fence posts set shallow in Carrollton clay start to lean the first time the ground goes through a full wet-to-dry cycle, so we anchor ours below the active layer. Our privacy fence installation uses durable materials and plumb posts that hold their line.

Our privacy fence installation services include:

Artificial Turf Installation

Lawns over Carrollton clay brown out fast once summer watering limits take hold, and turf keeps the yard green with no watering and no mowing. Our artificial turf installation is laid on a compacted, draining base so it stays firm underfoot.

Our artificial turf installation services include:

Outdoor Fire Pit Installation

A gas fire pit needs a line run out to it and a level, non-combustible setting, and both get built into the surrounding hardscape while the patio goes in. Our outdoor fire pit installation is set to code and tied cleanly into the seating and paving.

Our outdoor fire pit installation services include:

Hardscaping

On a Carrollton lot, the grading and the compacted base are what keep every finished surface flat over clay, so that groundwork gets built first and the pathways, borders, and seating walls follow. Our hardscaping in Carrollton, TX is built over compacted, graded base with Belgard pavers and masonry.

Our hardscaping services include:

Your Pool and Outdoors Could Look like This

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a typical outdoor living project take to complete?

It depends on the size and the mix. Smaller pieces like a pergola or a paver patio can wrap in a few days to a couple of weeks. Larger builds such as a pool, a covered patio, or a full backyard usually run several weeks, and we stand behind the schedule with our three-month completion guarantee. You get a detailed timeline before construction starts.

Are you insured?

Yes. We carry full insurance and follow proper permitting, inspection, and safety practices on every project, built to professional construction standards.

Does the clay soil under Carrollton homes affect a pool or patio build?

Yes, and it is the first thing we plan for. The expansive clay under Carrollton slabs swells and shrinks with moisture, so we compact the sub-base in lifts, set elevations for positive drainage, and route water away from the shell and the slab. That groundwork is what keeps the deck flat and the coping true.

Do your outdoor projects include a warranty?

Yes. Structural work carries a 10-year warranty, and our workmanship is backed for five years, with lifetime client support. Many of the materials and systems we install also carry their own manufacturer warranties.

Are irrigation systems, sod, or plants included in the project?

Outdoor living and pool projects focus on the structural and hardscape features, meaning pools, patios, decks, pergolas, kitchens, and drainage. Irrigation, sod, and planting are included only when they are written into the project scope.

Do you manage permits and HOA approvals in Carrollton?

Yes. We handle the permit application with the City of Carrollton and the county, along with HOA submittals, so the project keeps moving without avoidable delays.

What types of materials do you use?

We build with Belgard pavers, TrexPro composite decking, Jandy pool equipment, premium masonry, and quality lumber, all chosen to hold up in North Texas heat and clay soil.

Can my backyard still be used during construction?

Often, yes. Some sections get closed off depending on the stage of the build, but we keep the site organized and safe to limit the disruption to your routine.

Can several outdoor features be installed in one project?

Yes. A full backyard that combines a pool, patio, kitchen, pergola, fire feature, and turf is exactly the kind of coordinated project we are built to run.

What kind of pool holds up best in Carrollton soil?

Custom gunite. The reinforced, poured shell handles the expansive clay under Carrollton better than a pre-formed unit, and it lets us fit the pool to your exact lot and grade.

Is it possible to get a free consultation or estimate?

Yes. Consultations and estimates are free. Call (469) 583-6213 or submit a request online, and we will go over your ideas, walk you through the options, and answer your questions with no obligation.

Build an Outdoor Space Designed for Everyday Living

(takes 1-2 minutes)

Why Choose MCM Outdoor Living in Carrollton, TX

Picking the right pool builder and outdoor living contractor in Carrollton, TX comes down to whether the crew reads the ground correctly, because a pool, patio, kitchen, pergola, and deck all sit on the same shifting clay and have to be set up to move with it. We bring the design, the certified installation, the materials, and the project management together so you can settle every decision before construction starts.

Need Financing for Your Outdoor Living Project? We'll Help You Get Connected.

A backyard build is a real investment, and flexible payment options make it easier to do the whole space at once. We work with trusted financing partners on projects up to $300,000, so you can find a solution that fits your budget and your timeline.

Proudly Serving Carrollton, TX

Carrollton sits across the Dallas and Denton County line, where established neighborhoods around the A.W. Perry Homestead Museum and historic downtown mix older lots with room to build out back. Almost every home here rests on a slab over expansive clay, so the way we grade, drain, and compact the ground shapes the whole build, from the pool shell to the last paver. We work with Carrollton homeowners to design and build outdoor living that stays level, drains right, and adds real day-to-day use to the yard.

Neighborhoods We Serve in Carrollton

See What Homeowners Say About Their Backyard Remodels

We’ve helped a lot of families rework the space behind their homes into somewhere they actually spend time. Here’s what a few of them have shared about working with our team.

Byron Compton

Rated 5 out of 5

We could not be happier with MCM! From the initial visit to discuss our project through completion they have been fantastic.

Ronnie Goldsmith has been great dealing with our rough concepts and offering suggestions and advice. When we decided to make a change half way through the project, they were most accommodating and easy to work with.

Their crews go the extra mile and even did some brush clean out on the site which greatly improved appearance.

5 stars in our book!

Benefits of a Well-Built Outdoor Living Space

Built on Engineered Groundwork

Compacted sub-base, planned grading, and routed drainage that keep the finish flat over Carrollton clay.

Designed for Real Family Living

The layout follows how your family relaxes, gathers, and spends time in the yard.

Cleaner, Safer, and Easier to Maintain

Water routed away from the slab, safer traffic flow, and systems built to run for years.

Engineered From the Sub-Base Up

Cody McKinley

Your backyard should be comfortable, easy to move through, and built on ground that has been prepared for the way Carrollton soil behaves. Whether you are planning a new pool, a custom deck, or a complete outdoor living space, our team is ready to design and build it with the groundwork, materials, and workmanship to back it up.

Call us at (469) 583-6213 or reach out here to get started. We’ll answer your questions, walk you through the process, and help you plan the backyard you’ve had in mind.

(takes 1-2 min)