The AI looks good in my opinion.

When you hire a contractor make sure they supply you with details such as the depth of the concrete. Many want to skimp on that and not go as deep because obviously that will be cheaper. But if not deep enough, especially in colder climates, it will be more likely to crack. Educate yourself on when concrete should be poured and what temperature.

AI looks good. Also make sure the ground is totally dry before they do the asphalt. Once our contractor prepared the area we waited about a month before having the asphalt laid. It is still great after 10 years whereas the driveway we we were replacing had cracked in the first year. The other tthing that would be nice is to do somrthing to the carport that will had the trash barrels etc

I like your rock wall better. AI always makes things look spiffy, it spiffed up the asphalt, darkened the paint and added lots of landscaping --- those things always make the picture look better. But your real problem is that you have a mass of what looks like weeds around your wall and a shrub that appears to be growing in your steps, making it impossible for anyone to see what can be salvaged. Are your steps in good shape? Is there landscaping on top of the wall or is it weeds? Moving or removing the shrub and the weeds will go a long way towards improving the look of your house.

What's the landscaping on top of the wall? Weeds trees or garden? It looks like you have a bed that could be pretty, if planted up.

This looks really good, i like that the stairs are only 5 steps. thankyou i will share with contractor. Also the column on right really makes a difference.

The number of steps will depend on the total rise needed (vertical distance from driveway to door landing) and how far out the stairs can extend. There are formulas for comfortable outdoor stair dimensions (proportion of riser to tread) that your contractor should know and follow.

Since you do get snow, maybe consider turning the carport into a garage someday?

Is the concrete of your carport (the under house area) in bad shape? If not, would suggest that you not replace. New concrete will crack in time. If you do replace will suggest you have control joints installed in it that will control the area of cracking.

Affordable options are out there. First clean up the landscape so we/you can really see where the structural changes can be made.

Have you considered using stained glass for the front window at the top above the driveway? It would do wonders to beautify the place.