I think those are good ideas and could pull it together. I thought the owner said existing concrete could stay as a substrate if he chose brick for that area? The control joints are not designed like it would be if planned for brick, but it probably isn’t a deal killer. If I were going to put brick as trim around a patio I would want an footer 8″-12″ deep. That adds to the scope of work for comparison, so does the cutting.Not saying it is the same thing, just food for thought. Price per square foot of brick goes up because the work is all detail work as opposed to including detail and the easier “field”.
It might be good to think about the visual and construction implications of any possible future patio cover. For instance,something visual to transition to the shape of the patio cover. if one is planned and you want semi-formal lines as opposed to something more eclectic. Also you don’t want a post to fall on some design element of the floor or have the floor dictate your patio cover layout.
Add one more vote on taking the rain gutters off the diy list.