Next-Level Outdoor Spaces with Zachary Leamer of Sasquatch Decks & Patios | F&D Mastery Podcast #61

Zach came from more than a decade in the horse-racing world as an exercise jockey (homeschooled and always building on the side) and pivoted full-time into construction about five years ago during COVID, starting with cabinetry and quickly falling in love with decks.

He intentionally built a design-forward reputation, doing early projects near cost to create a striking portfolio, and now aims to add a unique feature even to a basic deck so no yard looks like the neighbor's.

His discovery process starts with how the client will actually use the space (a quiet reading nook versus entertaining 20 people) so the design, not a same-footprint rebuild, dictates the experience and can even shrink an over-large budget.

Social proof front-loads trust: posting daily job-site content means many callers already know his creative reputation before reaching out; one client said he felt he already knew Zach from watching his videos.

His design workflow moves from the client's 'absolutes' to graph-paper sketches, then SketchUp for intricate roof structures and accurate takeoffs, ported into Realtime Landscaping Architect for 3D renderings and walkthroughs.

He charges a flat $500 design fee, after doing them free for about two years, which compensates the heavy weekend hours and filters out non-serious prospects; renderings are skipped when a job just replicates an existing layout (currently about 60/40 design-heavy versus standard).

Professional photography (with grass grown in, cleanup done, and drone shots) plus a plan to stage jobs with dedicated trailer furniture protects the finished look; and being a small owner-led crew lets him pivot fluidly mid-job, such as adjusting for afternoon sun or how the family really uses the yard.