MasterPlan Outdoor Living
Get to know MasterPLAN
With over 20 years of award-winning experience in the field of landscape design and installation, MasterPLAN Outdoor Living is passionate about many things, and they all result in your happiness!
Partnering with our clients, MasterPLAN is able to translate your desires into a custom-tailored landscape design with our signature architectural focus, spatial efficiency and inclusion of timeless materials such as metal, wood and stone. From this personalized master plan, we will confidently transform your property into the space you and your family have always dreamed of.
Highly-skilled and meticulous engineering, management, craftsmanship and maintenance is our full-service standard and we guarantee that after your very own MasterPLAN Outdoor Living project, you will fall in love with your home all over again.
Joshua Gillow Founder and Owner
Joshua Gillow Fun Fact: When not designing and building outdoor living spaces he is perfecting his ninja skills! Don’t believe us check it out @the_design_ninja
More about Josh: After 15 years as a partner in a family-owned landscape design firm, Joshua realized his clients were craving “The Big Picture.” Pairing his passion for natural beauty and eye for timeless designs with cutting-edge technology and tools he launched MasterPLAN Outdoor Living in 2012.
Since founding the company, he has made it his personal mission to serve his clients in the best way he can, not only with respect, warmth, and a smile; but with his professional expertise, knowledge, and drive to make each client’s life better in some way.
Becky Zerfuss Director of Operations
Becky Zerfuss She is the glue that keeps our team organized and loves connecting with our clients to help them achieve their perfect backyard!
Oftentimes, Becky is the first person you will connect with when you contact MasterPLAN. You will quickly realize that she is committed to building an awesome and authentic friendship throughout the entire journey of transforming your backyard.
Fun Fact: As an avid hiker and fisherwoman, Becky is always prepared! Her car is equipped with a fishing pole and waders at all times. If she has a few minutes to spare, you can find her scouting the best fishing holes and trying her luck with the fish.
Becky is an organizational whiz and super-efficient. One of her favorite parts of the job is logistics!
“I am highly competitive, so I think my drive to make every move count brings endless benefits to our clients! I thoroughly enjoy all the moving parts of my job such as coordinating several projects at a time, talking with townships and engineers, conducting property research, acquiring project permits, ordering materials, scheduling crews and making sure all projects fit perfectly into the calendar year together, all while handling the day-to-day duties in the office. It is like a calculated game of chess and I enjoy the challenge!”
Joseph Coryell Designer
Joseph Coryell Joseph loves using his passion for architecture and natural eye for detail to help MasterPLAN’s clients transform their backyards into timeless outdoor living spaces.
With a focus on durable, reliable, and low-maintenance materials, Joe uses his knowledge and expertise to help his clients feel confident and comfortable with every decision about their outdoor living space. He utilizes his design experience and unique attention to detail to help clients create a seamless transition from the interior to the exterior of their homes.
Fun Fact: Joe loves being outdoors! He says, “being on a trail is my favorite – that could include ATV riding, hiking, or bicycling. In other words, I enjoy any outdoor activity – even yard work around the house!”
8 Steps To The Perfect Backyard
Step One
Initial Consultation
Here at MasterPLAN, getting to know our clients is truly step #1. The complimentary first meeting takes place in the comfort of your home and gives us the opportunity to establish a solid understanding of your family's wants, needs, and unique preferences as they play a critical role in the creation of your design. Once you are thrilled with our ideas, a design fee is collected and we will move forward with scheduling property measurements...
Next Step8 Steps To The Perfect Backyard
Step Two
Design Creation
With all relevant home, ground topography and property measurements in hand, your designer will begin to create the custom 3D model of your new outdoor living space. While we feel strong and confident in our design process and invest a lot of time making sure the design reflects your unique tastes and style, we understand that sometimes revisions need to be made to ensure your design is absolutely perfect. We guarantee that you will love your design, and we won't move forward until you do!
Prev Step Next Step8 Steps To The Perfect Backyard
Step Three
Design Presentations
To make sure the design is on the right path, your designer will send you a preliminary design including all major outdoor features, followed by your corresponding budget study. This is the perfect time to send ideas back and forth to achieve the extraordinary space your heart is set on! Once everyone loves the design direction and it is still within your investment expectations, we will put the finishing touches on your very own full color, 3D design model!
Prev Step Next Step8 Steps To The Perfect Backyard
Step Four
Investment Presentation
Now that we have received your blessing on the proposed design and budget study, we roll our sleeves up and prepare your Investment Presentation. We will use this time to present our detailed proposal for your project. Once the final features and materials are chosen, your project will be one step closer to being scheduled and constructed!
Prev Step Next Step8 Steps To The Perfect Backyard
Step Five
Scheduling & Permits
Upon receiving your initial project payment, we will begin the permit acquisition process and scheduling your project. We handle all permits and manage all aspects of your project so you don't have to! We will provide you with a rough project schedule before construction begins so you always know what to expect.
Prev Step Next Step8 Steps To The Perfect Backyard
Step Six
Construction Documentation & Engineering
In conjunction with acquiring permits and scheduling, we will begin the construction documentation process. We will create all pertinent construction documentation and engineered plans (if required) for permits and construction to ensure your project is built correctly with safety and code compliance in mind. We whole-heartedly believe that proper planning leads to a successful hassle-free experience for our clients. We go the extra mile to do it right the first time!
Prev Step Next Step8 Steps To The Perfect Backyard
Step Seven
Installation & Inspections
Now that permits are approved and your scheduled time has arrived, we will begin the installation process. We will schedule all inspections and we are readily available to answer any of your questions or concerns. From behind the scenes and in person, we manage and guide our specialists, scheduling them in a way that best suits your project. You can expect open and honest communication with every step and you will always know what is coming up next!
Prev Step Next Step8 Steps To The Perfect Backyard
Step Eight
Walk-through & Delivery
When the installation process is complete, your designer will walk with you through the whole project to show you how everything works and functions and deliver the completed project. The only thing left to do is to start making memories with your friends and family in your new outdoor living space!
Prev Step Contact Us TodayAwards
Best in Show award at the Philadelphia Home + Garden Show
Best Outdoor Display award at the Philadelphia Home + Garden Show
Bronze Award Winner: Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards
Houzz
Best of Houzz award for Exceptional Customer Service
Best of Houzz award for Exceptional Customer Service
Best of Houzz award for Exceptional Customer Service
Best of Houzz award for Exceptional Customer Service
Best of Houzz award for Exceptional Customer Service
Best of Houzz award for Exceptional Customer Service
Best of Houzz award for Exceptional Customer Service
Angie's List
Angie’s List Super Service Award
Angie’s List Super Service Award
Angie’s List Super Service Award
Angie’s List Super Service Award
Publications
Listed in Top 75 Landscape Design Blogs by Feedspot
Listed in Top 30 Deck Builder Blogs by Kebony
Our Core Values
Our core values resonate through every step of every outdoor living project we design and construct.
Getting to know our clients is truly at the heart of MasterPLAN. Discovering your family's likes, dislikes and unique preferences play a critical role in the personalized creation of your outdoor living space. We want you to love your custom-tailored landscape design as much as we do!
We are ethically authentic, credible and reliable. We believe that honesty is a virtue and being transparent is a genuine asset to our clients; there is no room for uncertainty or hidden surprises. We always deliver on our word!
We are about the details and aspire to create a beautiful and functional outdoor living space that we can all be proud of. By listening to your wishes, we offer creative and unique outdoor living solutions for each of your outdoor projects.
We are passionate about solving your challenging backyard problems in a stunning yet innovative way to fulfill your tailored needs and provide you with a low maintenance outdoor living space that exceeds your expectations!
We always have our clients in mind. We manage our specialists as well as all aspects of your project, so you don't have to. Spending the precise amount of time with each client and project is integral in building a sincere relationship as well as a beautiful backyard transformation. We believe that proper planning leads to a successful and hassle-free experience for our clients.
We are not sure this family’s smiles and spirits could get any brighter! Working with amazing people like this is what it’s all about!
Our Furniture First Philosophy ensures your outdoor living space is sized appropriately, not too big or too small...just the right size for your furniture and your enjoyment!
Perfect placement is everything, especially when it comes to focal points when viewed from inside the home!
The way the sunset reflects off this custom overflow spa makes the water look like a sheet of glass! Perfection.
No matter the weather, this family in Bethlehem can enjoy their favorite activities on their beautiful covered deck!
Brick and stucco bring cohesion to this backyard tuscan-inspired feature wall, as these are the materials used in the front of the home!
