As our Production Manager, Joe carries a lot of responsibility at Lifespan. He helps us plan our construction schedule, decide who to assign to a project, and supervises the on-site work. We rely on him pretty heavily to help things run smoothly, and we think he's a great guy! Let's get to know a little more about him.

What's your background of education and work experience?
I graduated early and began building at 17. I've built everything from decks and resort cottages to large custom homes, and everything in between. My building career has taken me all over the western United States and allowed me to learn and see many great things.

What skills and traits do you bring to the table?
I believe I bring a lot of knowledge and a strong respect for quality, combined with great leadership skills and pride for what I and my team can accomplish.

What are your favorite projects or aspects of your work?
I enjoy all phases of construction. I believe that not limiting yourself to one particular phase allows you to see the big picture and keeps the mind sharp.

What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy just about anything outdoors. My main hobbies are hiking, climbing, motorcycle riding, fishing, snowboarding, waterskiing, and being a dad.

What do you like about working for Lifespan?
I've always enjoyed working for Lifespan! The best part is the people. I know that, no matter what our team does, it is always driven by quality. Everyone takes pride in what they do and it shows!

More and more of our clients are asking us to build them outdoor kitchens. They're the latest and hottest thing in remodeling, and it's not hard to see why. You can make your deck into a creative, dynamic space for entertaining, al fresco cooking, and relaxing. Are you a master behind the grill? A pizza chef in the making? This might be the project for you.

The beauty of the outdoor kitchen it's unlimited options. It's your getaway at home, and it can be as extravagant or refined as you want. Why not meld it with your landscaping to create a seamless transition? Why not include a hot tub, or have your dining area flow out toward a fountain with a bubbling waterfall? Make it your oasis!

The major considerations with this kind of project are simple: everything needs to be waterproof, and everything needs to be protected from the elements. There are tons of options to make this possible, from going modern and making everything stainless steel, to building a pergola over the area to shade and shelter. You'd want to avoid a slippery tile floor or wood cabinets that aren't rot-resistant. For convenience, add lots of power outlets and lighting for nighttime parties, and attractive seating options so your guests can relax.

Go rustic and woodsy with stone and redwood. Add an enormous grill and smoker combo, and channel a hunting lodge with mossy green accents and natural, local materials. Pull some bar stools up, fire up some steaks, and kick back with a beer. Tweak it a little, add a wood-burning pizza oven, and try a Tuscan vibe, perfect for enjoying wine in the sun.

Go exotic, and deck everything out in bamboo. Make your own tropical island with tiki torches and a swim-up bar in the pool. Build a giant fire-pit for everyone to lounge around and then roast your dinner on a rotisserie grill over it. Or try a Moroccan theme with a mosaic tile back-splash, ornate cushion seating, and skewers to roast lamb and tomatoes.

If you love throwing elegant dinner parties, step up your game and make it sleek and modern. Imagine all state-of-the-art appliances, a stainless steel grill with built-in warming drawers. Add dramatic lighting and wrought iron furniture, and impress all your friends.

The outdoor kitchen can be anything you want it to be. You can have a fully-functional second kitchen, with an under-the-counter refrigerator, cabinets, and a sink, or just create a souped- up grilling station that's unique to you.  The sky is the limit!