Here in Colorado, winter is a wonder to behold. After a sunny day on the slopes, you can cozy up under a starry night by the fire.
But as beautiful as winter is on the Front Range, that doesn’t mean we don’t dream of summer afternoons when we look outside, wishing for a warm evening to barbeque and enjoy drinks with our friends on the deck.
Although it may seem like a distant dream now, summer will be upon us before you know it. And if you want to make the most of the sunshine and fresh air with a new deck, you’ve got to start planning now.
Whether you want an outdoor room with a roof addition, an outdoor TV for sports and movies, or a hot tub, (or all of the above), custom is the way to go to get the deck of your dreams.
It doesn’t hurt that when it comes to the value of your home, a well-designed and quality-built hardwood deck is an excellent return on your investment.
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A custom hardwood deck takes time to plan and to get your design just right, which is why you’ll want to start thinking about it now so that you can enjoy it once summer arrives.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Deck?
A simple, square deck can usually be built in a week or less. But there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all deck.
Every family has different desires for their outdoor living space. The size of a deck, and the custom features, will affect the amount of time it takes to design and build. A larger, more complicated deck can take as long as a month from the first cut of wood to the final nail.
The time it takes to physically build a deck doesn’t take into account all of the preliminary planning: approving the design, getting necessary permits, and other construction considerations (like the weather).
That means if you want a new deck by the beginning of summer, you need to start your project now.
Why You Need to Start Planning Your Summer Deck Project Now
Here are the 5 biggest reasons why you need to start planning a deck now to be sure that it is ready for a full season of enjoyment this summer.
1. Custom Design and Approval Takes Time
A square deck is a place to sit. A custom deck is a place to live.
With DeckTec Outdoor Designs, you tell us your specific needs and desires for your outdoor deck design. Most importantly, we’re interested in what your dream deck will allow you to do.
Do you want to host a movie-watching party with a dozen or more friends? Or is your priority a place for you and your kids and, possibly, grandkids to relax together around a fire pit? Maybe you want something that can do both.
Whatever it is, we make your dream a reality.
Some of the benefits of a custom deck design include:
- Beautifully integrating your home with your landscaping
- Providing protection from the wind and sun based on your home’s location and orientation
- Possibly including privacy considerations, if desired
- Reflecting your personal sense of style
- Tailoring to your specific needs, like an outdoor kitchen, fireplace, television, hot tub, and more
- Allowing for ideal views based on your deck’s location relative to the surrounding landscape
- Designing to fit your budget
- Increasing your return on investment, if you eventually look to sell
A list of pros like that makes a custom hardwood deck a no-brainer. But custom design takes time.
The craftsmen at DeckTec Outdoor Designs start by coming up with a creative and artful deck that provides the functionality you need and the beauty you crave.
After the initial design process is complete, you’ll want to allow yourself a little time to think about our proposed design, give us your feedback, and provide the final stamp of approval.
2. You’re Not the Only Person in Denver Who Wants a Deck
As spring arrives, and we start to see warmer days, more and more homeowners along the Front Range will be thinking about a new deck. That means more orders and more work for deck companies.
By then, the influx of demand may mean it’ll be too late to find a specialty contractor to plan, design, and build your deck in time for the first days of summer.
We also usually see a big surge in requests for deck remodels, repairs, refinishing, and maintenance once summer draws nearer.
By starting now — before most homeowners are thinking seriously about their summer deck project — you can get ahead of the demand and be first in line for a new deck.
3. Unpredictable Spring Weather Can Delay Construction
Anyone who lives in Colorado knows how unpredictable our springtime weather can be. One day it’s 70 degrees and sunny, and the next morning there’s a foot of snow on the ground.
Surprise weather can put a delay in deck construction projects. And drastic changes in temperature can impact the landscape through regular freezing, thawing, and re-freezing.
The deck experts at DeckTec Outdoor Designs are amazing at what they do, but controlling the weather is where our skills meet their limit. We need to allow extra “cushion” time to guarantee your deck is done in time for summer, regardless of what Mother Nature throws at us during the spring.
4. Every Project Is Different
There are many individual factors that can affect the construction timeline for your deck. Higher quality exotic woods like Ipe, for example, require special handling and pre-drilling due to their density.
Your home’s landscape can also affect the length of a project. Rocks, trees, uneven land, and unstable soil are all considerations that have to be dealt with before putting in a deck.
And of course, a bigger deck with more custom features is going to take longer to build than a small and simple deck design.
Allowing a little extra time to make sure you get the exact deck you want in time for summer is a good idea, as there’s no telling what unique challenges may pop up during planning and construction.
5. You Can Get Early-Bird Pricing
A high-quality, custom hardwood deck built by an experienced specialty contractor is comparable in cost to an “out-of-the-box” deck made with composite decking material.
A natural wood deck will last longer, look more beautiful, and be easier to maintain. Plus, it has a higher return on investment than a composite deck. In the long run, hardwood deck represents the greater savings.
And if you start planning your summer deck right now with DeckTec Outdoor Designs, you can get pre-season early-bird pricing of 10% or more off (available until March 15th), which means even more savings!
Get Started Today with Our Deck Buyer’s Guide
Custom design means getting a design that not only fits your needs, but also your budget.
If you get started now, our team will do a free consultation and provide you an estimate on a design that suits your desires — and your budget. Contact us now for a free consultation »
If you’re ready to pull the trigger on the new deck you’ve been dreaming about for far too long, DeckTec Outdoor Designs is ready to help you bring that dream to life (and give your neighbors a case of deck envy).
To learn more about your options when it comes to design, budget, and construction, check out our Buyer’s Guide »
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