A backyard deck extends the usable space of your house, activates your yard and turns your home into a more desirable, versatile place to entertain. The modern deck phenomenon has come a long way in the past 50 years with today’s decks being marvels of design and engineering that pump up the curb appeal and bottom line value of a home. One thing that can get away from some folks when planning their new deck though is the budget; a subject covered in a recent article over at porch.com.
Before you start scrapbooking deck ideas or shopping for a new outdoor furniture, be sure that your dream deck is based on a realistic budget. Sticking to a realistic deck addition budget is an important part of being a smart homeowner. Managing scope creep (the temptation to remodel beyond your means), and accounting for the inevitable unplanned costs along the way, will enable you to get the deck you’ve always wanted while adding value to your home.
According to Remodeling Magazine, the national average cost of a mid-range, wood deck addition is $9,539 and has an average return on value of 87.4%.
As the author states, one of the things that leads to an out of control budget is ‘scope creep’ which, like dandruff, can affect even the best of people. Scope creep is understandable; you start dreaming and inevitably start dreaming bigger. But if you’re not careful you’ll wind up with a deck that will not only bust your budget, but could also lead to your home suffering a loss of curb appeal because the new deck is out of proportion to the house.
Your Decking Company Can Help Keep Things Real
So how do you avoid scope creep and keep the planning process moving in the right direction? Well, the first thing you’ll want to do is contact a reputable decking company. They’ll go over a list of considerations with you that will help lay a realistic foundation for your deck design. And, just so that you know, ‘realistic’ in this case doesn’t mean ‘boring’. It means giving all considerations their proper weight so that you get the most out of your budget. These considerations include:
- Local Zoning Regulations – Even if you’re disinclined to rein in the scope of your deck project, local building codes might do it for you. Your decking company will know what’s allowed and what isn’t. After all, you don’t want an inspector arriving on site ready to shut things down.
- Style – If you envision your deck being party town, you’ll probably want to add extra supports for safety and security reasons. If you’re after a zone of quiet contemplation then landscaping elements around the deck may be just as important as the deck’s shape.
- Your Property – If your property slopes away from the house, any slope will be exaggerated when standing at the edge of the deck. In this case, your decking company may suggest a multi-level design that follows the downward slope of the yard, minimizing any height issues.
- Access – Do you want the deck to be seamlessly integrated into the backyard? If so you may want a wide stairway that rises slowly up to the deck. If you want to restrict access to the kitchen, keep the exit stairway discrete.
- How Many Guests Do You Plan to Entertain? – This gets into seating. Seats need space. The amount of space you’ll need for seats will drive the square footage considerations (keeping in mind of course local zoning laws as mentioned above).
- Schedule – Is there some compelling reason you need to get construction underway in October? Could it wait until spring when the weather will be getting better instead of worse?
Reliable, Experienced Decking Company? That’s Us!
Toronto Decks and Fence are the premier decking company in the GTA with hundreds of deck projects to our credit. Every deck we design and build for our clients is a manifestation of our belief in craftsmanship and an expression of the knowledge and imagination of our designers. Call us today on 416-238-2589 and let us help you realize your vision while adding value and beauty to your home for years to come.