Should You Build A Deck Yourself Or Hire A Pro?
Building A Deck Yourself
There are a few things you will want to consider whilst deciding on how to approach your next deck project. In a nutshell, taking on a deck yourself is going to take more time and require some outdoor savviness. Let’s look at what that entails below.
Here are a few things to consider when building a deck:
- Cost of a Deck
- Materials Needed
- Timeframe to Build a Deck
- The Kind of Permits Needed
- Beginning Deck Construction
These aren’t easy questions to answer and in a lot of cases, it will leave you frustrated and stuck. Now there are certainly ways that you can DIY a deck and which could save you money if you know what you’re doing. By building a deck yourself you would cut out labor costs and tailor the project to fit your budget.
6 things you may want to know before building a deck yourself:
- Invest in Fasteners
- Know Your Options in Decking Materials
- Wood Deck Maintenance
- Consider the Level of Your Deck
- Consider Using Beautiful Deck Railing
- Know Your Colors
Hiring a Deck Contractor
Ultimately the best option out of the two would be to hire a deck contractor. Not only do they know what they’re doing, but they will save you time and energy and get the job done the right way. Now there are a handful of contractors out there, but it’s important to do a little research on your own first to find out what you are getting yourself into.
The Value Of A Deck Contractor:
Expertise
It’s important to note that a deck building professional is simply going to have a lot more experience than you. This experience comes with an array of special skillsets that seperate a deck contractor from the average consumer. Simply said, they make their entire living off of building structurally sound decks with the utmost precision.
- Contractors have years of experience
- They know of custom deck options and latest deck building trends (ex: Low-Maintenance Decks
- Will pay far more attention to detail
- Know of local codes, restrictions, and permits
- Create detailed 3D renderings and construction prints prior to build
- Will build a struturally sound deck that will last years
This is a deck builders bread and butter when it comes to building a stable deck. Without specialized materials and tools, you would risk having a poorly built deck that will not last as long as you think it would. By hiring a deck contractor you can eliminate those worries and trust in their knowledge of the field.
- Deck Contractors will use tools like hidden fasteners to secure the deck
- Will use an variety of speciality tools that speed up the building process
- They know what materials are best for your overall deck (ex: Trex, Fiberon, Fortress products)
- Have vast knowledge of deck board colors that would ideally fit your deck
When it comes to building a deck, the timing is of ultra importance. Want to host your first outdoor party on a certain day of the month? A wedding? Just to enjoy family space? It’s certainly possible through the handiness of a deck contractor, and they will make sure to have everything complete in a timely manner. This also depends on how well thought through your deck project is. If you need your deck completed by a certain time then first plan it, secure the deck contractor, and let them take care of business.
- Deck contractors know how exactly how long it takes to build a deck
- Will complete a deck in a matter of weeks with less hassle
- Their expertise will help prevent small mistakes and increase efficiency
Recommended Deck Options For Your Next Project
There are many ways to build a deck of course, but let us steer you in a reasonable direction. Below we have listed out some decking options that will ease your mind.
- Low-Maintenance Composite Decking
- Stronger, durable, and long-lasting pre-finished flooring that never needs sanding, staining, or painting
Learn More - Custom Deck Railing
- Beautify your deck by adding a crystal, aluminum, or composite railing, all of which require little to no maintenance
Learn More - Next-Level Steel Deck Framing
- Build your deck with a solid steel framing that does not decompose and works with any type or brand of decking, including composite, PVC, aluminum, tile, wood and tropical hardwoods
Learn More - Rainguard Decking
- Weather-proof your deck area using a network of troughs and gutters to divert water from the deck. Expand your deck with a comfortable seating area, full outdoor kitchen or a big TV
Learn More
Conclusion
We hope that we have made the decision easier for you. Overall, if you take on a deck by yourself, you must do your research, plan well, and execute accordingly. Let a deck contractor build your deck from the ground up and leave you with great peace of mind. The expertise is there, so choose wisely.