If you want one Houston contractor to take an enclosed restaurant patio from blueprints to final inspection, String Lights Outdoor does exactly that. We handle design, engineering coordination, permits, fabrication, installation and inspections, and we work with owners, general contractors, architects and facilities teams. Here is what a full design-build process looks like, step by step.
Why one contractor for the whole project matters
When design, structure, glass, screens, heaters and electrical are split across different companies, problems fall between them: a drawing that does not match the product, a missing outlet, a gutter that drains onto a walkway. A single design-build team owns the whole scope and the schedule, so there is one point of contact and one party responsible.
Step 1: Site review and existing conditions
We visit the restaurant, measure the patio, check the building connection, slab, utilities and access, and talk through how your staff and guests will use the space.
Step 2: Design and 3D rendering
We prepare a 3D design that shows the roof, walls, lighting, heaters and fans, so the owner, landlord and brand team can approve the look early.
Step 3: Engineering and construction documents
Licensed engineers prepare structural drawings and calculations for wind and other loads. We coordinate electrical plans and product data for submittal. If you already have an architect, we work from their blueprints and fill in the system details.
Step 4: Permits and approvals
We prepare and track the permit application with the city, respond to comments and coordinate any landlord, planning or fire review. Our commercial pergola permit guide explains what cities usually ask for.
Step 5: Fabrication
Aluminum structures are fabricated to measured dimensions, and our motorized screens and blinds are made in-house in Texas, which helps keep the schedule tight.
Step 6: Installation while you stay open
We plan work zones, deliveries and noisy work around service hours whenever possible. See 6 lessons from building a restaurant patio without closing.
Step 7: Inspections and final sign-off
We schedule the required inspections, such as foundation, framing, electrical and final, and we are on site to meet the inspector. After final approval, we test every system and train your team on the controls.
Step 8: Handover and service
You receive product information, warranty details and a local contact for service.
Projects we have delivered
Our restaurant work includes the enclosed patio at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse in Greenwood Village, Colorado, projects for Morton’s, and Houston restaurants such as Katami. Read how we built a year-round restaurant patio in 32 days.
What owners should prepare
A design-build contractor handles most of the work, but a few items from the restaurant side keep the project moving:
- Landlord approval, if you lease the building.
- Brand or design standards, for chains and restaurant groups.
- Existing drawings of the building and site, if available.
- Service schedule and any blackout dates, such as holidays or big events.
- A single decision-maker for approvals and changes.
Having these ready early shortens design and permitting and avoids redesigns late in the process.
Restaurant patio contractor FAQ
Can you work from our architect’s drawings?
Yes. We can build from existing blueprints or provide full design if you do not have an architect.
Do you work as a subcontractor to a GC?
Yes. On larger projects we often work with the general contractor of record.
How long does a project take?
It depends on permits, size and scope. Permitting is often the longest step, so we start it early. We give you a schedule with your proposal.
Do you work outside Houston?
Yes. We have built restaurant patios in other states and travel for commercial projects.
Start your restaurant patio project
String Lights Outdoor has been building outdoor living spaces since 2016 and has been based in Houston since 2020. Our team handles the full project: site visit, design, engineering coordination, manufacturing, installation and after-sale service. We also manufacture our motorized blinds in-house in Texas.
The best first step is a design consultation ($500), which includes a free 3D design and a measurement drawing for your space, so you can see the finished project and make decisions with real numbers.
- Call 281.720.7272 or 832.866.2626
- Schedule a meeting online
- Request a quote
- Visit our showroom: Decorative Center of Houston, Suite 5002
Watch one of our recent projects: