How It Works
You will have a Project Manager appointed to your Pod. But if any issues ever arise, you are more than welcome to reach out to other members of our team to make sure that we can put all hands on deck with your project.
Austin Location:
Kelly Kassian - Management Consultant
Questions related to sales, contracts, and estimates.
kelly.kassian@backyardpod.com
Kimberly Gerundio - Project Coordinator
Questions related to your pod selections.
kimberly.gerundio@backyardpod.com
Forrest Williams - Project Manager
Questions related to project management and construction.
forrest.williams@backyardpod.com
Noah Wivell - General Manager
Questions related to operations.
noah.wivell@backyardpod.com
Houston Location:
Kelly Kassian - Management Consultant
Questions related to sales, contracts, and estimates.
kelly.kassian@backyardpod.com
Pavel Kolenda - Podfather
Questions related to anything!
pavel@backyardpod.com
Who’s Who at Backyard Pod
Payment Schedule and Whats Included In Each Phase:
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DEPOSIT PHASE
Day 1: Pay Deposit ($2,500)
Secure your project by paying the deposit and signing the terms and conditions.
Our in-house drafting team immediately begins creating your custom pod plan set.
You’ll receive a welcome call or text from your dedicated project manager.
Your project coordinator will send a welcome email containing:
Dates and instructions to schedule your design meetings
The color selection form
Additional project information to help you prepare.
DESIGN PHASE
Schedule Your Design Meetings:
Pod Living: Two one-hour design sessions
Pod Villa: Three one-hour design sessions
Need more time? Additional meetings are available at $500/hour.
During these sessions, you’ll review, revise, and finalize your custom plans with our design team.
Once your pod plan set is complete, we move directly to the permitting stage.
Timeline: The design process typically takes 3–4 weeks to complete, including all revisions and approvals.
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PERMITTING PHASE
Pay Permit Fee ($15,000)
Action: Pay the permitting invoice before submitting for permits.
What Happens Next:
Backyard Pod manages all permit applications (plumbing, electrical, environmental, engineering, etc.). You will need to sign a few documents during this stage.HOA Approval (if required):
If your neighborhood has a Homeowners’ Association (HOA), you must obtain HOA approval before permits can be submitted or construction scheduled. Begin this process early to avoid delays. Backyard Pod can provide any architectural plans or documentation needed for HOA review (additional fees may apply).Duration: Permit approval typically takes 3–5 months, with HOA approval timelines varying but often requiring 30–60 days. Both approvals must be secured before construction begins.
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After permit approval, pay 35% Kickoff Progress Invoice
Action: Once your permits (and HOA approval, if required) are secured, you’ll receive a 35% kickoff invoice. Pay this invoice to reserve your spot on the construction schedule.
What Happens Next:
Stage 1: Start Day, Foundation & Trenching
The crew marks out your pod’s exact location for your confirmation.
Foundation piers and skids are installed.
Trenching is completed for electrical and internet connections.
This phase typically takes 2–4 weeks, depending on your pod’s size and site conditions.
Stage 2: Framing
Our team installs the framing for your subfloor, walls, and roof. All structures will be sheathed and waterproofed.
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Stage 2: “Dried In” Progress Invoice (50%)
Invoice sent once sheathing, house wrap, decking, windows, and doors are installed.
Siding and roofing do not need to be installed yet.
Roof, siding, and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) will not be scheduled until this invoice is paid.
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Stage 3: Roofing & Siding
Carpentry team installs all siding and roofing materials.
Stage: 4: Electrical & Plumbing Rough-In
The electricians come in and install all outlets and switches. (“rough-in” means we hold off on the final outlet and switch covers until after painting is complete)
If your Pod has plumbing, our expert team will also come in to make those installations.
If an electrical and/or plumbing inspection is required, it will be performed at this stage.
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Invoice sent once the first final inspection is scheduled.
Final walks not scheduled until this invoice is paid.
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Invoice sent once you sign off on the completed pod.
Your warranty kicks in!
Learn more about our warranty
Build Timeline:
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The Pod Essentials Collection takes 4-8 weeks to build, the Pod Living takes 4-6 months and Pod Villa Collections take 6-12 months to build.
If permits are required, it can take an additional 4-6 months before we are able to begin construction.
In general, we use specialized crews for each phase of your build, so you will be seeing different workers at different times. Don’t worry, though — your project manager is always on top of everything and always available to answer any questions.
NOTE: Although we try to keep the installation timeframe as tight as possible, it is normal for there to be breaks between installation stages (and even within those stages). Weather can affect our ability to proceed with various work, crew members can get sick, etc. If you are concerned about your timeline, please never hesitate to contact us with questions!
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Here we go! Our crew outlines the location of your Pod and you confirm. Next, we install the foundation piers and skids.
We also dig the trench for your electrical and internet connection. (Depending on the distance and soil conditions, this can take a few days.)
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Our team installs the framing for your subfloor, walls and roof. All structures will be sheathed and waterproofed.
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The carpentry team comes in to install all siding materials and roofing — now it really starts to look like a real Pod!
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The electricians come in and install all outlets and switches. (“rough-in” means we hold off on the final outlet and switch covers until after painting is complete)
If your Pod has plumbing, our expert team will also come in to make those installations.
If an electrical and/or plumbing inspection is required, it will be performed at this stage.
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This stage takes a bit of patience because drywall and paint take time to cure. Proper drying and curing time is one of the keys to a beautiful paint job.
Your luxury vinyl flooring goes in at this stage as well. If you opted for hardwoods or other custom floors, please expect some additional time for scheduling and labor. We use third-party installers for custom flooring to ensure the best results for your Pod.
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Time to power up! We connect your Pod to your main electric service and install outlets, light switches, and all other finished electrical components.
If your project includes a bathroom or kitchen, all plumbing and related fixtures are added at this stage.
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Home stretch! This starts with a “soft” walkthrough to identify any items for the punch-out list (basically just a to-do list for our team). Any visual imperfections visible from three or more feet will be addressed.
Once everything is complete, our cleaning team comes in to make your Pod shine!
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This is the more formal walkthrough — we walk all around your Pod one more time, together, to make sure everything meets your expectations. Then we hand over the keys and it’s all yours!
If permits were required for your Pod, we will coordinate with the right city departments to arrange the necessary final inspections.
Financial Details
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Trenching
Electrical and Optional Cat 8 Ethernet connections require trenching between your Pod and the electrical panel on the house. Pods with bathrooms require a separate trench for electrical, waste, and water.
Because the trench length varies widely from house to house, the price is calculated after the Project Manager’s official site visit.
Standard pricing is based on digging a straight trench, using a conventional trencher, and encountering no obstructions in the trench line.
Additional charges may apply for two reasons:
Navigating the trenchline around retaining walls, sidewalks, landscaping, etc.
Unexpected obstacles — such as a heavy limestone presence that requires the use of a jackhammer or rock saw.
Slope mediation:
If your Pod site slopes from front to back (or vice versa), additional foundation work may be required. In that case, you can expect an additional $500 charge.
If your Pod site slopes from left to right (or vice versa), you may wish to add an additional step up to the front deck of your Pod. You will have an opportunity to step into the Pod during the build to make this decision. Cost for an additional step ranges from $800 to $1,200, depending on the size of the Pod).
NOTE: Any changes made after the technical site visit, such as changes of paint colors, will result in a $450 fee plus the cost of materials.
Permits:
Permit Plan Set Preparation: Architectural and engineering plans preparation, architectural and engineering plans review, engineering inspection of framing and foundation. Permit application submission and facilitation.
Building and Permits Contingency: This fee is a contingency for any unforeseen incremental work required in excess of our standard procedures, such as environmental protection, clean out locations, equipment rentals, tree review, erosion protection, layout survey, termite treatment, electrical compliance in excess of NEC, final impervious coverage survey. Upon project completion, this fee will be reconciled to actual fees and any excess will be refunded or incremental cost will be billed.
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Our payment schedule depends on the type of Pod you’re building. Paying your deposit early locks in your pricing—so even if Pod prices or service charges increase later, we will honor the pricing shown on your estimate. For that reason, we recommend paying the deposit sooner rather than later to secure the best possible rate.
Pod Essentials
The total cost is broken into four phases:
$500 Deposit
This secures your spot and includes a welcome package, access to customization options, and two design meetings to finalize your plans.50% Scheduling Payment
Required to join our construction schedule. (We’re currently on a ~6-week waitlist before construction begins.)75% Progress Payment
Invoiced once framing and siding are completed.100% Final Payment
Due after the final walkthrough and your approval of the completed Pod. Your warranty begins at this point.
Pod Living & Pod Villa
$2,500 Purchase Deposit
This begins the design process and includes two design meetings to develop your custom plan set. Design work starts once this is received.$15,000 Permitting Payment
Invoiced when plans are ready for submission. Permits will not be submitted until this payment is received.35% Kick-Off Payment
Invoiced once permits are approved. Your project is added to our construction schedule upon payment.50% Dried-In Payment
Invoiced once the Pod is "dried-in" (sheathing, house wrap, decking, windows, and doors installed). Roofing, siding, and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) work pause until this is paid.75% Interior Finish-Out Payment
Invoiced once drywall and interior paint are complete. Trim-outs will not be scheduled until payment is made.90% Punch-Out Payment
Invoiced when the first final inspection is scheduled. Final walkthrough won’t be scheduled until payment is received.100% Completion Payment
Invoiced once the client signs off on completion.
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We’ve partnered with trusted lenders—including Frost Bank, LYON Financial, and HFS Financial—to offer flexible financing options that fit your needs. Whether you’re using your pod for personal use or rental income, we can help you explore construction loans, home equity loans, HELOCs, DSCR loans, and no-collateral personal loans. Many of our clients get approved and funded in just days. Start with our quick quiz to find the best loan option for your project. Learn More
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There is no additional sales tax in addition to the price of the Pod in the State of Texas.
NOTE: We are not accountants and cannot provide tax advice. Our structures can be moved and are considered portable, therefore, depending on your tax jurisdiction can be fully deducted in the year of purchase.
Warranty
Backyard Pod is committed to the quality and durability of our products and offers the following warranties to ensure client satisfaction:
One Year Comprehensive Warranty
Coverage: This warranty covers all aspects of the Pod, including craftsmanship, materials, and installation integrity, for one year from the date of the final walkthrough.
Scope: It includes defects in workmanship or materials discovered under normal usage conditions.
Two Year Warranty on Major Components
Coverage: This warranty covers all major mechanical components including electrical systems, plumbing, and HVAC systems.
Duration: The coverage extends for two years from the date of the final walkthrough.
Scope: It addresses defects in materials and workmanship that may occur during normal use.
Ten Year Structural Warranty
Coverage: This warranty covers the structural integrity of the Pod, including the foundation, roofing, and framing.
Duration: This warranty lasts for ten years from the date of the final walkthrough.
Scope: It is designed to address issues arising from defects in materials or workmanship affecting the structural components of the Pod.