A backyard deck is one of the best investments you can make in your home. Not only is it the perfect place for you to enjoy Canada’s warmer seasons, but it also adds additional square footage to your living space. Although ‘do-it-yourselfers’ may be curious to see if deck construction is a project that they could take on themselves, our advice would be to always connect with a deck or porch builder. Just like an electrician or plumber, a deck builder comes with years of experience spent refining their craft. Since a deck adds value to your home, it’s important to invest properly in a quality-built deck. To understand why you should never DIY your deck, here are 5 reasons you should hire a pro.
1. Design
Rather than following a pre-built deck layout, deck or patio builders can help you pick the best deck design for your home. After helping you choose the design that suits your needs, there are other aspects of the project that need to be considered. For one, the material used for deck construction. Since Canada is prone to extreme weather conditions from coast to coast, it’s important to learn which are the best materials to use for all seasons. Connecting with a local deck builder can help you decide whether composite, wood, or aluminum is best for your deck. Another important factor to consider is deck placement. If your heart is set on an ‘island deck’, you’ll need to consider what is the base that your deck is being built on. Will your deck be on soil, stone, or grass? But if an attached deck is your dream – height, leveling, and safety need to be considered. For example, if your yard is on a hill or is on an area that has any sloping, a multi-level deck with stairs and railings is a must.
2. Safety
Depending on the type of deck you decide to build, there are specific permits and specific requirements and codes that will need to be met. This process can be a little tricky, especially to ensure safety and increase resale value. Thankfully, Verified contractors like Elvis Renos have experience with permits and can ensure that your deck is up to the build-up code. Not only does your deck need to meet all requirements, but it also needs to be structurally stable to ensure no one gets hurt. It doesn’t matter if your deck is 6 inches or 10 feet off the ground, it needs to be able to safely support people, furniture, barbecues, and whatever else a backyard party can throw at it. When putting your trust in a deck, it’s extremely important that it has been built properly and has met all safety requirements. By hiring a deck builder, you can feel confident that your deck was built with the care, and attention to safety, it needs.
3. Time
Spring is already here and summer is around the corner. If you are still brainstorming design ideas or if you are only just beginning your deck build, it’s likely you may not complete it in time and are going to miss out on the entire season! For the avid DIY-ers, a deck build can take weeks, or sometimes months, to complete. On the other hand, a local deck builder has the process down to a T. In just a matter of days, a deck builder can get your deck installed and up to code for when you want to use it the most. Be sure to get a quote from a deck builder so you don’t miss out on enjoying your new outdoor space in the sunshine!
4. Tools & Transportation
It’s rare to find the right types of tools and machinery that can support a deck project in the common toolbox. To build a deck, the types of tools that are needed include a miter saw, hand saw, power drill, and cordless driver. Outside of specific tools, you’ll also need to consider the materials used to build your structure. Depending on the material, be it wood or aluminum, you will need to transport it from the retailer to your home. Unless you have access to a large enough vehicle, you could find yourself running into space issues. We suggest connecting with a pro to ensure that your deck is built with the right tools and with all the appropriate materials needed for your project.
5. Price
Between tools, machinery, materials, and gas for transportation, you will find that the price tag on your DIY’d deck can get costly. For that reason, many homeowners opt to hire a deck builder. Oftentimes deck builders can receive discounts when purchasing materials or supplies as they have connections with suppliers and can buy their materials in bulk. Their savings can become your savings and can reduce the cost of your new deck! Lastly, hiring a deck builder for your project provides a guarantee on your investment. Many deck builders offer warranties to ensure that your deck can last through many long, Canadian winters. This warranty protection will help you down the road should your deck need repairs.
Are you curious to learn how much it costs to build a deck? Find the average cost of deck installations across cities in Canada below:
|
City |
Average |
Minimum |
Maximum |
|
$11,533 |
$100 |
$50,000 |
|
|
$12,474 |
$1,000 |
$50,000 |
|
|
$13,836 |
$2,500 |
$45,000 |
|
|
$11,450 |
$500 |
$50,000 |
|
|
$7,965 |
$350 |
$28,000 |
|
|
$13,565 |
$135 |
$50,000 |
|
|
$6,456 |
$300 |
$30,000 |
*Costs based on 1,264 verified reviews by Canadian homeowners as of March 2022
In Canada, our spring and summers never feel as if they last long enough. That’s why it’s important to spend the sunny seasons doing what you enjoy and love. Whether that’s sitting out on your patio under the pavilion or taking a dip in the hot tub that you built into your deck, it’s important to get outside! We encourage you to spend time on your deck, not DIY-ing your deck. You’ve got the inspiration and the deck builders have the experience. Together, you and your deck builder can bring your vision to life! If you’re ready to have a deck in your yard for the most anticipated time of year, connect with a pro on HomeStars today!
