For many homeowners, having a deck means personal freedom. A well-constructed deck can be a place to watch the kids while they run through the sprinkler, or a good spot for grilling summer vegetables and barbecued ribs. A deck is a place of relaxation, sunbathing and even napping on those long summer afternoons. A good deck is almost a vacation spot that's been attached to your house.
So how long does it take to build a beautiful deck in your backyard? For many homeowners, the answer varies, depending on the type of deck, how long they take to plan their budget and how motivated they are to get one built quickly.
Planning takes longer than the actual construction, but homeowners who understand the planning and budgeting process may be able to speed things along by acting quickly and decisively.
Planning to build a deck starts by establishing a budget. If you're planning to finance your deck building, contact reputable lenders to discuss financing options.
For more information about financing, see our article from February 2019, which explores these issues in-depth. While you're exploring financing types, meet with contractors for quotes. Meeting with contractors helps you determine how much you can expect to spend on your deck building project, which in turn can help you decide how much you need to borrow. If you don't need a loan because you have cash on hand to build your deck, then meeting with contractors will tell you how much deck you can afford.
How long this budgetary planning process takes depends on how motivated you are to get the work done quickly. Many contractors take just a few days to come out and see your building site after the first phone call.
Lenders may take a few hours to a few days to approve you for a line of credit. Plan to spend two weeks in this phase of the building process, but you can make that take less or more time depending on how much time you're willing to dedicate to this process each day.
Once you've identified a contractor and signed a contract, it will take a few weeks for your contractor to create a design and order materials. If the design of your deck is straightforward and simple, your contractor may submit a simple proposal and get started ordering materials right away. If your deck is highly customized, the design process may go on longer.
In summer, when many homeowners are building decks and making exterior home improvements, it can take up to two weeks just to get the most popular materials. Composite decking materials are always in high demand in summer, as are pressure treated wood products.
Factors that can slow the planning process include:
Once the materials have arrived, the actual construction process is the fastest part. A simple deck can be built in a week's time, while more complicated decks may take longer. Unexpected structural problems with the home, weather and mid-project changes are all factors that can slow the building of the deck. However, your contractor should be able to give you a timeline so you'll know when to expect the deck to be finished. Work with your contractor to determine how long the deck construction will take.
From the time that you sign a contract with a contractor to the day the project is finished, expect your deck to take about 30 days, give or take. Some tips:
If you are ready to get started with your deck project or want to learn more about the home remodeling or process in general, download the guide linked below How to Choose a Professional Home Remodeling Contractor.