How to Prepare for Your Deck Building Project
Late winter and early spring are great times to build a new deck in Pennsylvania, so it’s ready to use when the weather warms up. After you’ve decided you want to build a deck with Deer Ridge Construction to enhance your outdoor living space, it’s time to prepare for the project. There are a few things you’ll need to do to prepare for your deck-building project, including designing, obtaining permits, site preparation, and more. Below, we’ll explain the best ways to get your property ready for your new deck.
Design Your Deck
First, you’ll need to determine the purpose of your deck, whether it will be focused more on relaxation, entertainment, or both. The purpose of the deck will influence all design aspects. Will you be using it for outdoor dining, lounging, a pool deck, or something else? Once the purpose is figured out, decide on a size and layout that fits your needs and the number of people it must accommodate. Come up with a detailed plan for your deck that complements your existing home. Include dimensions, materials, and other construction details in your plan. If you need help, our skilled team can assist you in designing your blueprints.
Establish a Budget
Many factors will go into the overall cost of your deck, like size, materials, custom designs, features, labor, and more. Determine how much you’re willing to spend on your new deck, which will also help influence your finished design plan. Costs typically range from $30-$60 per square foot, but if you request a quote with us, we can give you an estimate on your project.
Choose Materials
For decks, you can use wood or composite materials. Wood is a classic choice that offers natural beauty for your home, but requires more maintenance due to moisture buildup. Composite decking is more durable, requires less maintenance, lasts longer, but is more expensive upfront than wooden decks. Our team normally uses TimberTech Vintage and Harvest Collections for our decks, which are resistant to moisture, low-maintenance, and won’t crack or splinter. Choose materials that meet your needs budget-wise, stylistically, and functionally.
Obtain Permits
Your local building department will have some regulations for building a deck on your property. The main thing you’ll need to obtain is a permit for the deck construction. Permits are necessary, particularly if your deck is attached to your house, is 30 inches above grade, or larger than 100-200 square feet, depending on your city in Pennsylvania. They ensure the structure is built safely and that it complies with local building codes and regulations. You have to obtain one before breaking ground, or you could face fines or stop work orders. If you live in a neighborhood with an HOA, you may also need to submit plans to get permission from them to build a deck. Our team can take care of all permitting requirements.
Site Preparation
Before starting construction, the site will need to be prepared for building. First, contact a utility company, you can call 811 in Pennsylvania, to have all utility lines marked before digging, so they don’t get damaged. Have the building area clear of grass, rocks, shrubs, and debris. You can shovel the area to get rid of grass and weeds. The site needs to have good drainage to ensure there’s no moisture buildup on the deck’s foundation. If it does not have drainage, you’ll need to grade the land to do so. Our team can also handle all site preparation tasks, as the better the site is prepared before construction, the less maintenance it will need once complete.
Have Deer Ridge Build Your Deck 
Once everything is prepared, our team at Deer Ridge Construction will build your custom deck. We can build any kind of deck, from simple single-level decks to elaborate multi-level ones. Our high-quality materials and craftsmanship ensure your deck will last for decades. Check out some of our featured deck projects to see what we can do for you. Get your decks built before summer begins. Contact us today if you’re ready to get started.
