My house could definitely use an outdoor area, I’ve looking at installing one in my backyard to improve the value of my house and give me somewhere nice to drink a beer on a hot Saturday afternoon. Last year, I went ahead with this plan and had a builder come out and quote me for such a patio. I was a little concerned that the easement on my property (overland flow & stormwater drain at the back of my land, clear from the location of the patio) would affect the process but reassured me that it was no big deal. He said it might slow the process down slightly, but that since it was away from the patio location, it shouldn’t cost more or cause any dramas. I was happy, paid a deposit and he began the approval process. Fast-forward several weeks and the builder came back to me saying
