Living Environs – StartupSmart

Living Environs is an outdoor design, renovations and construction company, offering complete external solutions via one professional point of contact.

 

Operating in the premium commercial and residential markets, it designs, constructs and manages “everything outdoors”, from pools and outdoor kitchens to electrical, plumbing and gas.

 

“I identified a niche in the market which had not been filled after assisting a time-poor family member with an outdoor renovation that was going horribly wrong,” Keats says.

 

“The niche I identified was to provide a complete one-stop-shop outdoor living solution that was not only professional but delivered high quality design and workmanship, all from one point of contact.

 

“Traditionally if someone wants to renovate their entire outdoor area they would need to engage a design contractor, a pool contractor, an outdoor kitchen contractor, a landscaping contractor, a builder, an electrical contractor and the list goes on.

 

“Then once these contractors are engaged the client would have to manage them and ensure the project was delivered correctly.

 

“Living Environs can professionally manage the entire project from design, council approvals, engineering then right through earthworks, construction and handover.

 

Keats was 26 when he started the business, with no experience in the outdoor and landscaping industry. Not surprisingly, this proved to be a challenge.

 

“Determination can only go so far in a business that had significant capital requirements,” he says.

 

“A big part of my business plan was for Living Environs to punch above its weight and appear bigger than we were, taking the competition head on with a bold and prominent presence.”

 

The best part of starting a business is the journey it takes you on, says Keats.

 

“I have met some amazing people and have achieved things I never thought possible. I wouldn’t swap it for anything,” he says.