Your exterior deck is not only an excellent place for relaxation and grilling out on a warm summer day, but it also adds a lot of curb appeal to your home. The right deck design is one that seamlessly extends your home into the outdoor space, creating a lovely little paradise just for you and your guests to enjoy.
If you’re ready to say goodbye to the small concrete steps leading out to your backyard or need to replace your old, rotting wood deck, then this guide is for you!
Does a Deck Add Value to Your Home?
Before we get into the deck design process, let’s talk about why you should consider deck installation or replacement. Even if you aren’t particularly interested in a deck for your personal use, a new deck adds value to your home!
Based on Remodeling Magazine’s 2023 Cost vs. Value Report, the addition of a composite deck to a home has an average return on investment (ROI) of 39.8%. That’s instant value going right back into your home after the project is completed. This number creeps even higher in mild climates and warmer states, though Kansas City sits right around the average.
Your Step-By-Step Guide to Deck Design
Now that you’re settled on a new deck for your next home renovation project, here is a breakdown of how to make it happen, with plenty of tips along the way to help you get the most out of the deck installation process!
1. Determine Your Budget
The first step should be determining your budget. Many factors will influence the cost of deck installation for your home, including:
- Labor costs
- Price of materials
- Any required pre-work (removing old deck, landscaping, etc.)
- The shape, style, and size of your deck
Now is the time to consider long-term savings as well! While it may be tempting to choose low-quality materials just to get it done and keep things cheap today, it won’t do you any favors in a year or two when the wood requires expensive maintenance or if you discover your deck isn’t built up to code. One of the best ways to save money on a home renovation project is to consider the savings over the lifetime of your remodel.
Your budget can also get a huge helping hand from deck contractors with good financing options. At Rolox, we provide financing for our homeowners to make it possible for them to get the most out of their new deck.
2. Find the Right Deck Contractor
Once you’re satisfied with your estimated budget, it’s time to find a reliable, high-quality deck contractor who fits the bill! This step can also happen earlier (or later) in the process depending on how much you want to plan and research deck design yourself as compared to partnering with your contractor throughout the process. At Rolox, we’ve had homeowners come to us with no initial vision for their deck and others practically bring fully-realized blueprints with them! We’re happy to help no matter what.
3. Choose Your Deck Materials
When it comes to the overall cost, one of the biggest influencers is the materials. The two most common options are wood decking and composite decking. While the upfront cost of wood is cheaper than composite, it requires a lot of maintenance and will be eating into your pocketbook within a year or two.
At Rolox, we’re proud installers of beautiful wood plastic composite decking by Deckorators®, which comes in a variety of colors and patterns imitating real wood with the added benefit of being maintenance-free and lasting 25-30 years! When it comes to long-term savings, composite easily wins out over wood.
4. Decide Where You Want Your Deck to Go
Looking at your home and surrounding yard, decide where exactly you want your deck to go and how big you want it to be. As you think about the scope of your deck, keep these three things in mind:
- What will the deck’s primary function be?
- How will the deck complement your home’s architectural style?
- How much space do you have in your yard, and what’s the layout like?
5. Choose a Deck Style
There are many types of decks you might consider for your home, including a fully custom shape and layout. Here are a few of the most common deck styles:
- Square island decks can be built anywhere in your yard, are simple to install, and don’t require railing unless you want it.
- Raised decks are usually around 12’ by 16’ in size, offering plenty of space in a simple, traditional shape.
- Wraparound decks can be a great statement on a home with beautiful views on all sides, taking up minimal space as they border the home. These can be a little more complicated to install depending on the angles required to tightly wrap around the home.
6. Get Necessary Permits
Permit requirements will vary depending on your municipality, but your contractor can help you sort them out! In Kansas City, for example, homeowners are required to submit a detailed building permit application and deck plans to the Kansas City municipal office. Again, don’t stress over the logistics! We’ll walk you through it.
7. Confirm Your Design and Leave it to the Professionals!
Once you feel settled on your deck design and installation team, all that’s left to do is make it official and then let your deck contractor bring your design to life!
Let Us Help You Design Your Dream Deck!
Whether you need a deck replacement or want to design and install a completely new deck for your home, Rolox is ready to help transform your outdoor space! Schedule a free, no-obligation quote here, or feel free to reach out if you have any questions about our deck installation services.
