Mock up the furniture first
Measure the table or seating you intend to use and allow room to pull chairs out. Mark approximate edges on the ground and walk the routes between doors, seating and the yard. A narrow connecting strip should not become the only circulation space.
Review the connection to the house
Door operation, thresholds, siding and existing steps create fixed constraints. Ask how the proposed elevation and slope will work with them. Identify where roof runoff currently lands and whether downspouts need coordinated changes.
Resolve future additions
Tell us about any planned cover, outdoor kitchen, hot tub or heavy feature. These can require separate design, supports and trade work. Ordinary patio flatwork should not be assumed to meet every future structural need.
Finish the plan before excavation
Agree on boundaries, curves, joints, finish and restoration. Clarify responsibility for moving furniture, plants and irrigation. A clear drawing or marked layout can prevent expensive changes once forms and concrete delivery are scheduled.