Behind the Scenes of the HGTV Dream Home 2025: How Jay Beswick and Majestic Outdoors Crafted a Masterpiece

About The Author

Picture of Jay Beswick

Jay Beswick

Jay Beswick is the visionary founder and owner of Majestic Outdoors, a leader in crafting exceptional outdoor living spaces in Raleigh, NC. His dedication to innovation, client satisfaction, and industry advancement makes him a respected voice in the deck-building community.

For most contractors, an opportunity to work on an HGTV Dream Home is just that—a dream. It’s a high-stakes stage where cutting-edge design meets masterful craftsmanship, where every detail is scrutinized under the national spotlight.

That dream became a reality for Jay Beswick and his team at Majestic Outdoors. But this wasn’t a stroke of luck or a chance encounter. It resulted from nearly two decades of expertise, a commitment to quality, and relationships forged with leaders in the outdoor living industry.

Relationships Led to an Incredible Opportunity

aerial view of outdoor paver project by Majestic Outdoors that was part of HGTV Dream Home 2025 project.

The road to the HGTV Dream Home 2025 didn’t begin with a handshake on a job site—it started years earlier.

For more than 15 years, Jay had cultivated a deep relationship with Belgard Pavers, an industry leader in paver and hardscaping products. His company didn’t just install Belgard materials—they pushed the boundaries of what could be done with them. They experimented with them. They innovated with how to use them. They turned ordinary backyards into extraordinary ones.

This dedication and relationships with other Belgard contractors, sales reps, and company officials led to an invitation from Belgard’s leadership for Jay to join the Belgard Advisory Council, a group of about a dozen top Belgard contractors nationwide. His role? To test new products, provide direct feedback to Belgard’s research and development team, and help shape the future of hardscaping.

So when it came time to choose a contractor for the HGTV Dream Home in the Carolinas, Jay was the choice for this prestigious project. Belgard leaders knew he and his team were up for the challenge, based on their portfolio.

Designing for HGTV: The Challenges of a High-Profile Build

photo of an outdoor kitchen that was part of HGTV Dream Home 2025 Project

Working on an HGTV Dream Home isn’t like building for a typical homeowner. Every decision has to look stunning, not just in person but from every possible camera angle, including aerial drone shots.

There was a visual concept of what needed to be done, and Jay and his team visited the site before the build to take measurements and see where everything would go.

Adjustments had to be made—sometimes in real-time, on-site, and with cameras rolling.

Key Features Influenced by Majestic Outdoors

  • A Stunning Driveway with Custom Inlay Pattern: The inlay was inspired by a paver design in the backyard and wasn’t part of the original plan. It was well-received.
  • An Outdoor Kitchen Adjustment: Part of the outdoor kitchen area was filmed early and was enhanced with AI. Jay and his team had to pivot fast and recreate the design on the fly.
  • Expansive Entertainment Areas: A fireplace, bar, and open gathering spaces were crafted to host large groups, ensuring a natural flow between indoor and outdoor living.

An Unforgiving Timeline and Unexpected Storms

photo of a paver project by Majestic Outdoors showing the paver pool deck, columns, and outdoor lighting

Even under normal conditions, coordinating a high-profile build is a logistical dance. This project? It was a challenge.

  • A Hurricane Hit Just as Work Began. The crew had barely started before they had to stop and shelter. Days later, another storm threatened to derail progress again.
  • Tight Work Restrictions: A strict noise ordinance banned work after 7 p.m. and on Sundays, leaving zero room for scheduling errors.
  • A Crowded Job Site: At any given moment, more than 20 trucks and vehicles were on site as contractors were working simultaneously: Painters, landscapers, deck builders, pool builders, and siding crews. The driveway, which Jay and his crew were building, became a parking lot of tradesmen, creating delays to get it finished.
  • Some Materials Were Chosen Later: Some design elements couldn’t be finalized until after work had started, requiring quick thinking and rapid execution. Jay would be on the phone with Belgard, seeking input on material and color choices that had to be approved by designers.

Decisions Made on the Fly and the One Thing Jay Would Change

Many of the build’s most striking details were improvised on-site.

Lighting? Initially, it wasn’t included. But Jay knew that without it, the outdoor space wouldn’t shine at night, and it would cost more money and take longer to retrofit the conduit for the writes. They made the call to incorporate strategic lighting into the project.

Another late-game decision was to include columns by the fireplace. Jay said the wall by the fire feature needed to be finished with columns.

If Jay could change one thing, it would be getting notified sooner. He got the call in June, and the project began in July. He had another “epic project” beginning, and he was thankful he has a talented team to handle the work.

Beyond the Dream Home: What This Project Means for the Future

After eight intense weeks, the project was complete.

The HGTV and Belgard teams were impressed with Jay and his team’s work. And for Majestic Outdoors? This wasn’t just a job. It was a testament to nearly 20 years of expertise, relationships, and craftsmanship.

If the HGTV Dream Home 2025 has you imagining your dream backyard, Majestic Outdoors is ready to make it happen.