There are many factors to consider when deciding to add a new deck to your home. Creative Concepts & Design—true to our namesake—design and build decks every day, so we’re sharing some information with you to help you make some of the decision-making easier.
Whether you’re exploring DIY options or already plan to use the professionals, knowing the answers to these questions in advance will help the whole process go more smoothly and quickly. With that out of the way, let’s get started!
1. Determine Your Custom Deck’s Overall Budget
First things first. While it’s never the fun part, you must define your budget before doing anything else. Have an idea of a comfortable budget+/- 20%. What this does is give me or the architect parameters so we don’t design something unreasonable. Budget can be a touchy subject and many clients are uncomfortable disclosing, however if you are dealing with an ethical company you will actually be better served knowing a rough budget. If you’re still considering which type of decking material to use, read more about it here: What’s the Best Material to Build a Deck?
Here are some general numbers to help you get started. To enter the market for a capped composite deck and metal handrail is $75.00 per sq. ft for a flat surface and $350.00 per step. Obviously finishes play a huge factor in your bottom line but those numbers will get you into what we consider a quality product. If you are also considering hardscape or a full backyard makeover, it’s good to know retaining walls start at $50.00 per face foot, paver patios $30.00 per foot, broom-finished concrete is $10.00 per sq. ft, and stamped colored concrete retails at $20.00 per sq. ft.
A roof addition starts around $30,000 by the time the architectural engineering fees are included. If a roof addition puts you over budget, a heavy timber pergola is a great way to create a space for about 1/3 of the cost of a roof.
2. Consider Your Time Owning The Home
Knowing how long you intend to live in your current home will help you capitalize on maximizing your return on investment (ROI). If you are moving within 5-7 years your best ROI will be creating the space for the least amount of money. If it is a 15-30 year home, your selections, and how well you enjoy the space is your ROI.
3. Consider How Your New Custom Deck Will be Utilized
How many people do you plan to accommodate and how do you intend on staging the space? When a designer or architect asks this question, you know you have a good one! Proactive thinking like this before construction is critical to providing a well-executed, functional deck or outdoor space.
Remember, you need space for the furnishings/grill/etc. but also space to allow for traffic flow. For example: a table for 4 needs a minimum of a 10’x10′ deck.
A table for 6 needs a 12’x12′ space. A table for 6 with a grill will need not only enough room for the table and grill but also room for egress.
If you plan to have a couch, chairs and a table, you will need even more space.
The worst outcome is spending all that money only to realize your new space is crowded and cramped!
4. Look For Inspiration in Custom Decks
The last thing you want to do is be a moving target with an architect who’s charging by the hour to provide you with a design. Save yourself time, headache and money by coming to the table with an idea of what you’re looking for in the form of inspiration pulled from search or social media! Print the pictures off, circle the elements you like, and present them during the meeting. You will immediately get your vision across and now have a good foundation to build from. One of the costliest things you can say is “Make me something beautiful and don’t let budget dictate design”!
5. Match The New Deck’s Quality With The Home
You don’t want to overdo or underdo the finish quality. If you live in a modest house, you don’t want to create an outdoor space that rivals the level of your home. Accordingly, if you live in an expensive neighborhood, you don’t want your deck to be so small it looks like an afterthought. Your best ROI will be a seamless level of quality from the inside to the outside, blending your indoor and outdoor spaces in a way that doesn’t look or feel jarring from the inside or out.
6. Know When to Call in The Professionals
If you have a roof, pool, six-figure project, or full-blown backyard makeover taking place, an architect will be worth their weight in gold. The more pieces you have to the puzzle, the more value they will bring. You don’t want your backyard to look like a hodgepodge of one-off projects that don’t bend visually or flow both aesthetically and physically. An architect will make sure scale, style, and flow create a balanced and beautiful backyard oasis. Even changes in elevation can cause huge roadblocks for a seemingly simple project. Make sure to call in the pros when needed.
7. Be Aware of Your Cost vs Value Decking Elements
Decks are a good choice if you are looking to raise the overall value (and appeal) of your home. Decks consistently rank, year after year, in the top 10 improvements that offer the best return on investment with a 63% (composite) to 66% (wood) cost recovery. It’s good news when any major investment pays you back when you sell, and decks are one of the best for profitability on the seller’s part. Remember, though, that the materials and design decisions you settled on then will affect the long-term value.
We hope these pointers will guide you when building your deck. For professional, local help, give us a call! You can also schedule a free, no obligation design meeting with us to talk us through your ideas and goals. It’s also a great opportunity for us to see the space and help with budget if you’re still unsure!
