Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about ordering outdoor structures, preparing your property, and working with Foothills Custom Outdoors in Knoxville and East Tennessee.

Ordering and Products

Every property is different, and the right structure depends on several factors: the size and layout of your yard, your terrain and slope conditions, what you want to use the space for, and any HOA or zoning requirements that apply to your neighborhood. That is exactly why we start every project with a consultation.

During the consultation, Nick or Sam will talk through your goals, ask about your property, and help you narrow down the options that make sense for your specific situation. If needed, we will visit your property to evaluate the terrain, check the condition of your deck or patio, and identify any drainage, access, or utility issues that could affect placement or installation.

We never push homeowners toward a product that does not fit their property. Our job is to give you honest, transparent guidance so you feel confident in your decision before you spend a dollar.

Yes. While professional installation is our core service and what we strongly recommend for most outdoor structures, we do offer product only purchases for customers who prefer to handle assembly themselves or who are working with their own contractor.

That said, we want to be upfront: many of the structures we sell are heavy, complex, and require precise leveling and anchoring to perform safely in East Tennessee weather conditions. If you choose to self install, you are responsible for proper assembly, anchoring, and compliance with any local building codes or HOA requirements. Our installation warranty does not cover self installed products.

If you are on the fence about whether you need installation, talk to us. We will give you an honest assessment based on the product, your property, and your experience level.

We work with trusted manufacturers that produce outdoor structures built for durability and weather resistance. Our product selection is curated specifically for the East Tennessee climate, meaning we do not carry products that we know will fail in our humidity, rain, and temperature conditions.

If you have a specific product or brand in mind that we do not currently stock, contact us and we will do our best to source it for you. If we can get it and it meets our quality standards, we are happy to bring it in. If we have concerns about a product’s performance in this region, we will tell you honestly and offer an alternative.

Installation

Our process is designed to be simple, transparent, and stress free for the homeowner. Here is how it works:

First, we start with a consultation. You tell us what you are looking for, and we discuss your property, your budget, and your timeline. If the project requires a site visit (which most structural installations do), Nick or Sam will come to your property to evaluate the terrain, check foundation conditions, measure the space, and identify any issues like drainage problems, slope, underground utilities, or HOA setback requirements.

Next, we help you select the right product. Based on what we learned during the consultation, we recommend structures that fit your property and your goals. Once you have chosen a product and confirmed your order, we schedule the installation. On installation day, our team handles everything: transporting the product, site preparation, leveling, assembly, anchoring, and final inspection. We walk you through the completed structure before we leave to make sure everything meets your expectations.

The entire process is managed by our team from beginning to end. You do not need to coordinate with multiple contractors, hunt down hardware, or figure out how to level a structure on a slope.

Most single structure installations (gazebos, grill gazebos, outdoor bars, carports, animal enclosures) are completed in one day once site preparation is finished. Larger or more complex projects, such as multi structure setups or installations requiring significant grading or foundation work, may take two days.

We provide a clear timeline estimate during the scheduling process so you know exactly what to expect. Weather can occasionally cause delays, and we will communicate proactively if that happens.

We require that an adult (18 years or older) is available at the start of the installation to confirm the placement location and ensure our team has access to the site. After that, you do not need to be present for the entire process. We will contact you when the installation is nearing completion for a final walkthrough.

Site Preparation and Property Concerns

Absolutely. Sloped yards are one of the most common challenges in East Tennessee, and it is one of the biggest reasons professional installation matters in this region. Flat yards are a luxury in the foothills, and nearly every property we work on has some degree of slope.

Our team handles slope by adjusting post heights, using leg extensions, grading the immediate installation area, and ensuring proper drainage so water flows away from the structure rather than pooling around or under it. In cases where the slope is severe, we may recommend a compacted gravel pad, concrete footers, or a timber frame platform to create a stable, level base.

This is one of the areas where DIY installations most commonly go wrong. A structure that is not properly leveled on a slope will lean, collect water, and feel unstable. We make sure that does not happen.

The ideal foundation depends on the product and your property. Common options include:

Concrete patios and slabs provide the most stable and secure base for anchoring. Compacted gravel pads offer excellent drainage and work well for carports, animal enclosures, and freestanding structures. Existing wooden decks can support many structures, but we evaluate the deck’s structural capacity (joists, posts, and connections) to make sure it can handle the weight. In some cases, we may recommend reinforcement. Grass or bare ground can work for certain products, but we may need to grade the area, add gravel, or install footers to ensure long term stability.

During your site evaluation, we will assess your existing surface and recommend the best foundation approach for your specific product and property conditions.

We address drainage as it relates directly to the installation site. During the site evaluation, we identify how water moves across the area where your structure will be placed. If the site has drainage problems (standing water, runoff flowing toward the structure, poor grading), we address those issues as part of the site preparation.

This might include grading the immediate area, installing a gravel base for drainage, building up the foundation to redirect water flow, or recommending a French drain in more challenging situations. We want your structure sitting on a dry, stable foundation, and proper drainage is a critical part of achieving that.

For larger, property wide drainage issues beyond the scope of the installation site, we will let you know what we see and recommend a landscaping or drainage specialist if needed.

Weather and Durability

This is one of the most important questions homeowners in our area ask, and we take it seriously. East Tennessee’s climate is demanding: high humidity from spring through fall, over 50 inches of annual rainfall, occasional severe thunderstorms with high winds, winter freeze and thaw cycles, and heavy spring pollen.

Every product we sell is selected specifically for performance in these conditions. We prioritize materials like naturally rot resistant cedar, galvanized steel, powder coated aluminum, HDPE poly lumber, and hardware cloth rated for outdoor exposure. We do not carry products made from cheap materials that will rust, rot, warp, or fail within a couple of seasons.

Beyond the materials, proper installation is what separates a structure that lasts from one that does not. Correct anchoring prevents wind damage. Proper leveling prevents water pooling. Adequate drainage prevents foundation erosion. These are the details our team handles on every installation, and they are the details that determine whether your investment performs for two years or twenty years.

Most of the structures and products we sell require minimal maintenance, but “minimal” does not mean “none.” Here are the general guidelines we share with every customer:

Cedar wood structures should be inspected annually and resealed or restained every one to two years if you want to maintain the original color. If left untreated, cedar weathers to a silver grey patina, which many homeowners prefer. Metal components (galvanized steel, powder coated aluminum) need very little attention. An occasional rinse with a garden hose keeps them clean. If you notice any scratches in the powder coat finish, touch them up promptly to prevent surface rust.

Fabric and cushion materials should be cleaned seasonally, especially after Knoxville’s heavy spring pollen season. Sunbrella and solution dyed acrylic fabrics can be cleaned with mild soap and diluted bleach. Grills should be covered when not in use and cleaned regularly to prevent grease buildup and burner tube blockages.

We walk every customer through the specific maintenance recommendations for their product during the final walkthrough after installation.

Permits, HOA, and Local Regulations

This depends on your location, the type of structure, and the size. Here is the general guidance we share with homeowners:

Within the City of Knoxville limits, a building permit is required for most permanent structures, including carports and gazebos of any size. In unincorporated Knox County, structures under 120 square feet generally do not require a permit, but anything larger typically does. Structures that involve new electrical, plumbing, or gas connections almost always require a permit regardless of size or location.

Beyond permits, your HOA (if applicable) may have separate requirements for architectural review, approved colors and materials, setback distances from property lines, and visibility restrictions. Neighborhoods in Farragut, Hardin Valley, Bearden, and other planned communities throughout Knox County are known for having detailed guidelines.

We help you navigate these requirements during the consultation process. We are familiar with the rules in neighborhoods across the area and can help you determine what approvals you need before we begin your project.

Yes, with some restrictions. Knoxville allows residents to keep up to six hens (no roosters) within city limits with an annual Urban Livestock Permit. The permit costs $25 and requires an inspection of your coop and enclosure. Setback requirements dictate how far the coop must be from property lines and neighboring homes.

If you live in an HOA community, your neighborhood may have additional restrictions or may prohibit backyard poultry entirely. Always check your HOA covenants before building a coop.

We install chicken coops and poultry enclosures that meet Knoxville’s permit requirements, and we can help you make sure your setup is compliant before the city inspector arrives.

Cost and Financing

We understand that cost is one of the first things homeowners want to know, and we respect that. The honest answer is that it varies significantly depending on the product type, size, materials, and the complexity of the installation.

A compact patio furniture delivery and setup is a very different investment than a large hardtop grill gazebo installation on a sloped, wooded lot. Rather than publishing generic price ranges that may not apply to your situation, we prefer to give you a personalized quote based on your specific product selection and property conditions.

Contact us for a free consultation. We will discuss your goals, recommend products that fit your budget, and give you a clear, all inclusive quote with no hidden fees. You will know exactly what you are paying for before you commit.

Yes. We work with financing partners to offer qualified buyers flexible payment options. During your consultation, let us know you are interested in financing and we will walk you through the available programs, application process, and terms. There is no obligation, and we will never pressure you into a financing arrangement that does not feel right for your situation.

Working with Foothills Custom Outdoors

We hear this question a lot, and it is a fair one. Here is our honest take:

If you are handy, have the right tools, and are working with a simple product on flat, level ground, you may be able to handle assembly yourself. But the reality for most homeowners in East Tennessee is that conditions are rarely that straightforward. Our terrain is hilly. Our soil is heavy red clay that shifts when it gets wet. Our weather produces wind, rain, and ice that will test every connection and anchor point on your structure.

When you order from a national retailer, a freight truck drops a heavy pallet at the end of your driveway. From there, it is on you: the leveling, the anchoring, the assembly, the drainage, the cleanup. If something goes wrong, you are calling a customer service line in another state.

When you work with Foothills Custom Outdoors, you are working with Nick and Sam, a local team who lives in this community, understands this terrain, and treats every installation like it is going on their own property. We handle every step from consultation to final walkthrough. If something needs attention after installation, we are a local phone call away, not a support ticket in a queue.

The peace of mind is worth it. The results speak for themselves.