Looking for advice on choosing materials for an outdoor project

I’m planning a custom outdoor project and have been comparing different material options for durability and long-term maintenance. I know the right choice depends a lot on the design, weather conditions, and how the finished piece will be used.

For anyone who has worked on similar projects, what factors do you usually consider before choosing a fabricator or material supplier? I’ve been researching options like Metal fabricating florida providers because local experience with climate conditions seems like it could make a difference.