All, thanks for the comments, some answers. In regards to the septic. It’s about 30ft to the edge of the zone so that’s not a problem. In ref to what we wanted, our wants was a pool, fire pit, garden area, and bbq area. We have about a 12 ft drop in elevation from the driveway to the rear corner, and I thought the terrace areas was a great way to not build a monster wall to hold everything. We already cleared the trees about 20 ft from the pool so I’m not too worried about stuff in the pool though I’m sure we will be picking leaves out. We are located in north central NC so we get a good amount of pool use. We already decided to not do the planters beds out of stone, so either metal beds or wood. Also the material colors, etc are just for texture, we haven’t picked patio or stone veneer. I attached some. Ore pics of inside, I am thinking of using the same stone as the fireplace since it matches our kitchen backsplash. We also aren’t doing any planting until the hardscaping is done so we can decide then.

I would center the garden area with chicken coop on the backside of the pool. Make a wider grand entrance and transition possibly using an arbor. The way you show it to the side does not balance. If possible I would put the shed along a wall on the back of the house convenient for the pool suppplies. I would place all gardening tools in an area back with the chickens as this will be closer for gardening as well. Best wishes!

I agree with GardenGal48 Good, experienced designers and landscape architects, can address the entire property. There are fees for renderings and usually additional fees for changes. Understand it takes time and money, to put project designs together. These designers are professionals. I personally do our design work in both plan view and 3D. I have to consider all the grade changes on challenging properties to drive the design. Because I'm the contractor and I work in the field, I know what to expect. I'm not a landscape architect or a true designer, but I've been around the block a few times. Landscapers I work with, will tweek a plan a bit and decide the best plants on the property. Sometimes hardscaping is changed a bit. Renderings are conceptual. I've done a few where my clients approve the design, and leave as is. Certain aspects of a project must be done in a particular order so you don't paint yourself into a corner, so to speak, or make it difficult for one of the contractors doing their portion of the work. This really comes from experience. Once you have a design decided upon, you can put it out to bid, as GardenGal said. Sometimes the designers work for a landscape firm, and can perform everything in house. Or, they can recommend a good contractor to execute the project.

We are purchasing a fun little mid century ranch in Lake Worth, FL. We'll be meeting with a GC to go over the project once we close, but for now, I'm kicking around different ideas on the windows, and the backyard. We want to bring in a MCM vibe, but not completely over the top. Most important, for me, is keeping similar lines/style to the existing windows. But... the windows are large, and are stacked awnings, which cannot be found in impact windows. My initial thought is to do the front LR window, which is a 2x4 stacked awning, in a casement with horizontal muntins, and do the Bedroom windows, all 2x2 Stacked awnings, as twin awnings, also with a horizontal muntin. But so far, I'm getting costs of $2k per opening just for materials for awnings and casement, which really is not in my budget. Are there alternatives that I am not considering that would be more affordable? The reason my budget is so low for the windows is because I plan to spend all of my money on the backyard, ha. Our goal is to create a beautiful spa-like backyard. My rendering is pretty self explanatory, but we are looking at a pre-cast concrete plunge pool, with the edge of the pool providing the backing for benches around a firepit. To the right, we'll have floating steps up to a multi-level sundeck. The tall sundeck will be the pool entrance, and the lower sundeck will be a built in daybed. Where I get a little lost is in how to design the back porch. I'd love to figure out something MCM, but also a bit of a Key West vibe, and I'm just not sure those two styles can be married. My initial rendering, out of lack of any other ideas, is just a pergola with a solid top. Whatever we do on the back, I'd like to tie in the front carport. Do we just replicate the carport's style on the back porch? Would that go with the spa-like vibe we are going for out back? What do you all think? Front of the house: Back Yard rendering: Plunge Pool Inspiration: