The Ultimate Guide to Custom Deck Design and Construction

Decks are excellent ways to enhance outdoor spaces. A custom deck, in particular, can add a little extra utility and charm. Enjoy a fantastic structure designed to host family gatherings, or simply relax and enjoy spending more time outdoors.

Building one, however, is no easy task. What custom deck design would best suit your needs? How much will one cost? Do you need permits to install a new deck?

At Artisan Outdoor Craftsman, we have years of experience providing professional deck design and construction, giving us extensive insight into the deck-building process. We’ll break down everything you need to know, from the initial planning stages to the finishing touches.

Start Planning

The key to most successful projects is planning ahead. Before you start, you’ll need to assess your financing, design preferences, and more to reduce risks and achieve your goals.

Budget Properly

Building a deck can be expensive. While one can add significant value to your home, you still want to make sure the initial price fits within your budget. The cost itself may vary depending on several factors, including:

• What decking materials you use
• How big your deck is
• What sort of unique features you want to include
• Any labor your deck builders provide

Take the time to assess your finances and set a maximum spending amount. This will help guide you when planning your project and protect you from a potential financial disaster.

Think About the Design

One of the most exciting aspects of building a custom deck is adding unique features that cater to your tastes. Before finding a contractor, consider your personal goals and design preferences.

Think carefully about why you’re adding a deck to your property. Do you want to host more family gatherings? Would you like somewhere to relax outside?

Write down your goals, then think about what features would help you reach them. For example, you could:

• Add deck lighting to improve safety and enhance aesthetic appeal
• Install aluminum railing, which can come in a range of colors and doesn’t rust or rot
• Add an under-deck system if you’re planning to build an elevated deck

Consider Materials

Choosing the right materials is important if you want to achieve your dream deck. Some options may be more affordable; others may be easier to maintain.

Wood decks, for example, look beautiful but require extensive upkeep. Composite decks, meanwhile, resemble wood and offer a longer lifespan. Explore your options and find something that suits your goals and budget.

Search for a Contractor

Finding the right deck builder is critical to ensuring a successful projects. Your designer can save you time and effort by taking care of the hard work for you, provide design tips to bring your vision to life, and ensure you get a solid, safe structure that lasts for years to come.

When searching for a deck builder:

• Do your research. Check online for reviews; you can get a good idea of a deck builder’s reliability from previous customers’ ratings.
• Ask about insurance. Most deck builders should have liability insurance to protect you financially, even if they don’t anticipate anything going wrong. In addition, some contractors may have workers’ compensation and property insurance.
• Learn more about their experience. Have they built custom decks before, or is this a new venture for them? What sort of extra features can they install? How long have they been in the business? All of these questions can help you determine if a contractor will suit your needs.

Speak to several companies and request quotes to determine who fits within your budget. Take the information you gather and use that to narrow down your options.

Prepare for Building

Before your project begins, you’ll need to take several steps to prepare for building.

Work With a Deck Designer To Plan the Perfect Structure

You have certain goals in mind for your custom deck design — and your designer’s job is to figure out how to make them work. Provide your budget, material preferences, and design preferences to your contractor. They’ll take this information to create an initial design plan, working closely with you to determine what’s feasible. They may even offer suggestions to improve your initial plans and enhance your custom deck.

Once you approve the custom deck design, your contractor will purchase materials and gather tools to bring your dreams to life.

Gather Permits

Depending on the location, you may need to obtain permits to build your new custom deck. Your contractor will likely help with this task, though it’s still important to research local regulations yourself.

Inspect the Space

Before your contractor can start, they’ll need to make sure the area is free of any potential hazards. After you’ve indicated the space where you want to build, your contractor will examine it for:

• Trees that might interfere with construction
• Underground utilities
• Any damaged structures

Finish Preparing the Area

Once they finish inspecting the site, your contractor will prepare it for construction. This means clearing away any unwanted brush or fallen branches, removing outdoor furniture, and staking the site to determine the deck’s size, among other things.

Construct Your Dream Deck

After your contractor finishes preparing the area, the actual construction can begin. This process may take between one to three weeks, depending on the deck’s size and complexity. Your deck contractor can give you a more accurate timeline based on your design needs.

Once your deck is complete, add the finishing touches — like fantastic deck furniture and colorful stains — and begin enjoying your outdoor living space.

Let Our Artisans Help You Bring Your Deck Plans to Life

Getting a custom deck design has never been easier. At Artisan Outdoor Craftsman, we offer fantastic services that will help you customize and build your dream deck. Our artisans have extensive experience and can answer various questions, from “Does Trex Decking get hot?” to “What features would work best for my custom deck?”

Are you ready to build your custom deck? Call Artisan Outdoor Craftsman at (317) 813-9669 and see what our artisans can do for you.