01 —Service
Outdoor Living Spaces
We design and build outdoor living spaces that extend your home's footprint into the landscape, from the first sketch to the last paver.
03 —Common Questions
Everything you want to know about outdoor living spaces
How much does an outdoor living space cost in the DC metro area?
An outdoor living space in the DC metro area typically costs $30,000 to $175,000, with most MOSS clients investing around $50,000.
The range reflects how different an outdoor kitchen and covered pavilion project is from a simple paver patio. Scope, structure type, and site conditions like grading, drainage, and utility runs are the biggest cost drivers, followed by the size of the covered or conditioned footprint.
How long does an outdoor living space project take?
Most MOSS outdoor living projects run 8 to 16 weeks from permit issuance to completion, depending on scope.
A patio or deck without a roof moves fastest, while a screened porch, covered pavilion, or outdoor kitchen with plumbing and gas lines adds design, engineering, and inspection time. Weather and permit review at the local jurisdiction also affect the schedule.
Do I need a permit for a deck, patio, or outdoor kitchen?
Most structural outdoor living projects, decks, covered porches, pergolas, pavilions, and outdoor kitchens, require permits in DMV jurisdictions, and MOSS handles the full process in-house.
Permit requirements vary by county and by structure type: a flagstone patio at grade may need little more than a site plan, while a covered porch with electrical and gas requires building, electrical, and sometimes zoning review. MOSS's in-house permitting team manages submissions and inspections so homeowners aren't navigating county offices themselves.
What does a MOSS outdoor living project actually include?
A MOSS outdoor living project includes design, structural engineering where required, permitting, and construction, all under one contract with one accountable team.
Depending on scope that can mean a deck, screened or covered porch, patio, pergola, pavilion, or gazebo, paired with hardscape such as pavers or flagstone, an outdoor kitchen, an outdoor living room, or a fire feature. Design and build stay under the same roof, so there's no handoff between an architect and a separate contractor.
What materials and design approach does MOSS use for outdoor spaces?
MOSS selects structure and hardscape materials, wood, composite, stone, brick paver, flagstone, based on how the space will be used and how it should read against the house, not a single default finish.
A pergola or pavilion is framed to match the home's existing architecture rather than looking like an add-on, and hardscape material is chosen for durability in the DMV's freeze-thaw climate as much as for appearance. Fire features and outdoor kitchens are engineered as permanent, code-compliant installations rather than prefabricated kits.
Can I use my outdoor living space year round, or is it just for summer?
How much of the year a space is usable depends on whether it's open-air, screened, or fully covered and conditioned, a choice MOSS designs around your goals from the start.
An open patio or deck is essentially a three-season space in the DMV climate, while a screened porch extends comfortable use into cooler months by cutting wind and bugs. A covered porch or pavilion with a fireplace, heaters, or partial enclosure can push toward four-season use, and that decision shapes the structural and mechanical scope from day one.
04 —Materials Guide
Compare your options
5 Ways to Extend Your Outdoor Season in the DMV
Add a Roof or Screen
A screened or covered porch cuts wind and bugs, stretching comfortable use well past a standard open patio.
Build in a Fire Feature
A fire pit or fireplace adds warmth and a gathering point on cool evenings in spring and fall.
Plan for Heat
Overhead or freestanding heaters extend a covered space's usable months without a full enclosure.
Choose Durable Hardscape
Stone and paver surfaces handle the DMV's freeze-thaw cycles better than lower-grade materials, keeping the space usable longer each year.
Add Outdoor Lighting
Integrated lighting turns a daytime patio into a space that works for evening entertaining as the days get shorter.
5 Deck and Patio Materials Compared
Pressure-Treated Wood
The lowest upfront cost, but it requires regular staining and sealing to hold up over time.
Composite Decking
A higher material cost buys decades of low-maintenance durability without staining or sealing.
Natural Flagstone
An irregular, high-end stone surface that pairs well with a traditional or transitional home exterior.
Concrete Pavers
A durable, uniform option with a wide range of colors and patterns at a moderate cost.
Brick Pavers
A classic look that matches brick homes and holds up well to the DMV climate.
05 —Portfolio
Outdoor Living Spaces projects
How does outdoor living spaces look in real homes?
Riverside Road Screened Porch Construction
Beckett Glen Circle Deck Construction
Timberview Court Deck Construction
N. Lexington Street Deck Construction
North Jacksonville Street Exterior Carpentry & Framing
Wayland Street Deck Construction
Georges Lane Deck Construction
Other Services
Other ways MOSS transforms your home
06 —FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an outdoor living space cost?
- Outdoor living projects with MOSS typically run $30,000 to $175,000, with most clients investing around $50,000. The range depends on whether the project is a simple patio or a fully covered pavilion with an outdoor kitchen.
- Do I need an architect for a pergola or pavilion?
- MOSS's design-build team handles design and structural planning in-house, so a separate architect isn't required. Larger structures may involve a structural engineer as part of the permitting process.
- Can MOSS add an outdoor kitchen to an existing patio?
- Yes, MOSS can design and build an outdoor kitchen as part of a new patio or as an addition to an existing one, including the gas, electrical, and plumbing work it requires.
- What's the difference between a screened porch and a covered porch?
- A screened porch has mesh screening to keep out bugs while staying open to airflow, while a covered porch is roofed but open on the sides. Both extend the usable season compared to an uncovered patio or deck.
- Does MOSS handle the permitting for outdoor structures?
- Yes, permitting is handled in-house on every outdoor living project, from a patio's site plan to the building, electrical, and gas permits a covered pavilion or outdoor kitchen requires.
Start your outdoor living spaces project
One conversation reveals exactly what your project will involve and what it will cost.