The decision to get a new deck is a smart one! A new deck can raise your home’s value, improve the aesthetic value of your yard, make your home more appealing to buyers, and make your life at home more enjoyable overall. When you decide to build a new deck, you’re already part of the way toward enjoying more time outside with friends and family.
It’s important to know why you’re building a new deck, whether a new deck is a good choice for your home, and how to hire the right professional for the job. Having this information can make the building process a success. And when you work with an experienced Minnesota contractor like Paragon Designs, you can expect a streamlined process and an excellent overall outcome.
Reasons to Build a New Deck
There are many reasons to build a new deck. Here’s why people in Minnesota are hiring experienced contractors like our team here at Paragon Designs to create a new deck on their property:
- Increase your home value: A new deck can bring a 75% ROI once completed. To maximize your ROI, it’s crucial to hire a professional who knows how to build the deck expertly and according to code.
- Create more outdoor living space: Outdoor living space gives you a place to enjoy yourself with friends and family. Building a new deck makes your outdoor space more functional as well.
- Space for entertaining: Do you like to throw parties? If so, your deck can give you a place to have your next fun family event. Invite the neighbors and your extended family for a barbecue!
Know the Signs You Need to Build a New Deck
If you already have a deck attached to your home, it’s essential to recognize the signs that your deck needs significant repair or replacement. An old deck can be an eyesore, but more than that, old decks aren’t always safe to traverse. Here’s what to look for on and around your old deck:
- Rotting wood: Look for wood that is splintered and soft. If you can dig a screwdriver into the wood easily, this means it needs to be replaced.
- Structural instability: Wobbling stairs, titling surfaces, corrosion on the bolts that attach the deck to the house—these are all signs that your deck needs to be replaced.
- It no longer fits your needs: Do you need your deck to be larger, have a different shape, or have more features? Decks have changed a lot in the last decade or two, so if your deck isn’t meeting your needs anymore, then it’s time to replace it.
Hire the Professionals—Don’t DIY
A good deck may seem like a simple thing to build, and many homeowners try to do this work on their own. For many, this is a big mistake. Adhering to the building code requirements makes your deck safer and more durable. So, unless you know the proper local, state, and federal building codes and how to follow them, it’s best to leave the job to a licensed contractor.
An experienced and reliable contractor will pull permits when they’re needed, follow the building codes strictly, and create a structure that’s designed to last. If you don’t get permits when they’re required, you could have a hard time selling your home when the time comes. Likewise, unpermitted work can devalue your property, and some home buyers may need you to seek permits retroactively.
Consider Long-Lasting Materials
Many years ago, most decks were built from natural wood or pressure-treated wood. While wood is a long-lasting and durable material, it must be refinished or painted periodically to be adequately protected from water. Wood that is not protected from moisture will unavoidably deteriorate over time.
Today, many decks are built from composite wood. Composite wood is made from resin and wood pulp. Composite wood looks very similar to natural wood, but it never needs to be refinished or repainted. So, if you’re going to build a new deck, composite wood can be used to make a structure that only requires cleaning, never refinishing.
Act Fast, Deck Builders Are In Demand
If you want to build a new deck in Minnesota in the next few months, it’s crucial to get started with a reputable contractor as soon as possible. The best contractors book up months in advance. If you have a deadline for building your new deck, it’s imperative to start interviewing contractors as soon as possible.
What to Look For When Hiring a Contractor
When you’re hiring a contractor, it’s essential to find a business that will meet your needs, build a quality structure, and do so for a price you can afford. Here’s what to look for when hiring a contractor to build your deck:
- Experience building a new deck: When hiring a contractor to do a job on your house—whether you’re building a new deck or installing a new room in your home—it’s crucial to find a contractor with experience with that particular project. Every construction project is unique, and an inexperienced contractor may make errors that can cost time and money.
- Good references: Every contractor should have references you can trust. Ask for references when interviewing contractors, then call those references. Ideally, at least some of the references will be people who hired that contractor to build a new deck for them.
- Fair pricing: The lowest-cost contractor is not always the best contractor to do the work. In fact, if a contractor is undercutting the competition, that may be due to cutting corners in a way that could result in poor workmanship and safety concerns. Hire a contractor you can afford, but don’t make a low price the top priority.
Going to Build a New Deck? Hire a Contractor You Can Trust
At Paragon Designs, we’ve built many decks for our clients in Minneapolis. From small and simple to big and lavish, we’ve made decks of all types and sizes.
We’re happy to make your home a more enjoyable place to spend time by building a deck that you can be proud of. Ready to learn more about how we can add a deck to your property in the Minneapolis area? Call today to make an appointment for a consultation.
