Wood-framed decks are quite often seen in houses from all around the world, being the only feature that has most of the structure completely visible from the outside. Decks are normally straightforward structures unless using special materials like composite, vinyl or aluminum. This is why deck construction is seen as simple. However, not all people can build one for their home. If you do not know much about deck construction and you want to save some money in such a project, just think about the following tips that actually help you to afford professionals to do the work for you.
Deck Type
Think about what you will use the deck for in the first place. This decides the exact deck type that is suitable for your home. As an example, decks that are placed at a low ground level are normally great for flat areas for barbecues and chairs. These are built completely different than those that are a few feet high and that should support hot tubs. Think about all needed features like wind protection and lighting. All of these affect deck construction and price. Knowing exactly what you need avoids overspending on features that are not actually needed.
Deck Design
Most of the decking materials will be milled in specific lengths of 16, 12 and 8 feet. When you use wood that is pressure treated and you cut it, you are faced with waste and even potential water damage. At the same time, you can end up with higher prices. A good idea for budget conscious homeowners is to discuss with the builder so that you can find a design that is both affordable and solid from a structural point of view.
Used Materials
People generally want decks that are maintenance free. However, this can have different meaning based on where you live. For instance, when the weather does not feature much rain, moisture problems are irrelevant. In other cases it is easy to be faced with insect attack so protection is necessary. The main idea to remember is that the materials you use should be suitable for the long term. You may end up spending a little bit more at the beginning but you save a lot on maintenance.
Comparing Contractor Deals
This is quite an obvious way to save money but many homeowners are in a hurry and do not like shopping around. Unfortunately, this can lead to thousands of dollars being lost. Remember that contractors can work differently than you would initially imagine. They might have great deals in place with carpenters so lower prices would appear. That is why you want to compare the deals that are offered by different contractors. Be sure the offer is presented in written format so that you can compare all the costs. Then, you can negotiate different parts for even further savings.
On the whole, be sure you allow yourself enough time to actually deal with everything about deck construction. If you know as much as possible it is so easy to save money.
