Building a deck on your home is an excellent way to improve the overall value of your property. It’s also just a fantastic addition to make for entertainment and relaxation purposes. Before you get started, there are some things you should consider. Let’s look at some points you should ponder before you dive into building your deck.
Set Your Budget
A deck is no different than any other construction project. Before you start buying or building anything, you MUST have a budget set. Entering a store like Lowe’s or Home Depot when you are contemplating a project is just as bad as going to the grocery store without a list while you’re hungry. You will think you need to buy tons of things you don’t actually need. Set a budget before you go into any type of home store.
Also factored into this would be the quality of materials you plan to use, and how much you plan to pay your contractor if using one. A rule of thumb with construction projects is to set your budget, then add 20%. There may be overruns and delays. If you build in that potential upfront, you won’t go over budget.
Check To See If You Need Any Permits
This will vary widely based on where you live. Not every city/county/state will require you to have a building permit to add a deck onto your existing property. Some do require building permits to expand an existing structure. Contact your city/town to see what the laws are for this style of construction project. You don’t want to run afoul of the law because that will cause your project to get shut down.
Will This Be a DIY Project Or Will You Hire A Contractor?
For individuals with construction know-how, building a deck onto their home isn’t a particularly difficult project. For those who are novices to construction, this is not the best project to try. It is possible that you know enough about construction to stain/paint your deck, or do other projects in that vein. But the building part may be best left to the professional deck contractors in your area. Be honest with yourself about your abilities.
Consider The Purpose You Want Your Deck To Serve
When you think about your deck, ask yourself what purpose is this deck going to serve? Do you plan to entertain large groups of people on this deck? Will you be using it for cooking outdoors? Is it primarily for relaxation? Once you know what you want your deck to do, then you can properly design it. The amount of space available for you to build on will also factor into how you design your deck.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- What type of materiel do you want to use? There are many new options out there.
- Do you have a design or plan? You will need plans for a permit and to receive a quote from a contractor.
- What is your time line? Most contractors need lead time.
- IS YOUR CONTRACTOR LOCAL or FLY BY NIGHT? GET REFERENCES! Go look at their work, in person.
- Check with the local lumber yards. Many times, they have great quality, prices, & options.
To Sum Everything Up
A deck is a terrific addition to any home. But before you jump headfirst into this project, make sure you have crossed your t’s and dotted your I’s. Outline a budget, consider your deck’s purpose and design, check about permits, and consider if this is a DIY project or a project for the professionals. Once you have those points covered, you are set to begin your home improvement project!
