Adding a Deck: DIY or Hire a Deck Builder?
A deck is a major addition to a home, requiring a significant investment. Can you save money by doing it yourself? Or is it more cost effective to hire a deck builder in Great Falls, VA?
The answer is, “It depends.” If you’re good with a hammer and can understand building plans, it might make an interesting summer project. If you’re all thumbs and in a hurry, choose a deck builder in Great Falls, VA.
To help you decide, here is a closer look at the challenges involved in deck design and building.
Hal Co is a reputable deck builder serving Great Falls, VA residents for over 33 years. We offer:
- Quality design, selection, installation and related services for your deck in Great Falls,VA following the highest safety procedures and industry standards.
- In partnership, we will evaluate your deck project requirements and develop a comprehensive installation plan.
- Personalized customer service before, during and after installing your deck in Great Falls, VA to minimize your disruption and maximize your comfort.
Designing a Deck
The deck you need is different from the one your neighbor has down the block. That’s because your lifestyle, the needs of your family, the way you entertain and the look and feel of your home and landscaping are all your own.
A successful deck meets the needs of each family member. Adults want one for dining and entertaining, teens want a place for cookouts, and children like an open spot to play with other kids.
Points to consider for a deck builder in Great Falls, VA, include:
- How you will use it. For example, is it around a pool, to be used for dining and socializing, more for relaxing?
- The age of your home, its architecture and the look of your landscaping
- How much room you have
- If it will get more shade than sun
- Where you need entrances and exits
- How many spots, and where, do you want for sitting, leaning and laying down
- How much privacy you want
You can take standard plans and tailor them to meet your needs. For many people, hiring a professional designer to help you research and plan the deck is a wise choice, even if you choose to do the actual building yourself.
Once the deck is built, it takes time, money and effort to make changes. It is much more practical to figure out exactly what will work for you before you build.
Costs for Building a Deck
Decks vary greatly in price. The actual cost depends on the size and the materials you use. By shopping around, you can often get good deals on wood and other materials.
Be sure to add in the cost of specific equipment you’ll need for construction. For example, you’ll need a miter saw, cordless drill and other tools.
Don’t forget to figure in your time. Though this might be a hobby project for you, your time is still valuable. A professional deck builder in Great Falls, VA, will usually take a week or so to build a deck. But for the do-it-yourselfer, the job can meander through an entire summer and beyond.
The Parts of a Deck
Decks have many parts, making them more complicated to build than they first appear. Here is a partial list:
- Ledger board, which attaches the deck to the house
- Floor joists
- Solid blocking
- Support beams
- Rim joists
- Seating
Get familiar with deck plans available online, so you understand what the job entails. Better yet, check with a neighbor or friend who has actually built his own deck.
What You Need to Consider
Here are the main points to concern yourself with if you want to be your own deck builder in Great Falls, VA:
- Planning is everything. The more time you put into this phase, the closer the deck will be to what you imagined it would. It is far less costly to spend effort in planning than money on switching things around after the deck is already built.
- It takes time. The deck has a multitude of parts. Even for experienced do-it-yourselfers, it can be a challenge. Don’t consider a deck a weekend project. It might be a month of weekends but pad your time estimate. What can go wrong, will go wrong.
- Materials and tools are expensive. Though you can find sales on wood and hardware, you still have to plan for a major outlay of cash. Your time is also part of the cost of the deck.
- Is the time, effort and cost worth it for you? For many people, hiring a deck builder in Great Falls, VA, is often the most cost-effective choice.
Work with Experts
Hal Co has been building decks for more than 30 years. Our team of deck builder experts in Great Falls, VA, can guide you through the design phase, choosing materials and meeting the demands of your budget. When we build your deck, that’s all we do. We focus entirely on your project until it is completed to your satisfaction.
Hal Co is a family-owned and operated company, proud to say it still has a small town attitude. Hal Co takes its job seriously as a deck builder in Great Falls, VA, because we realize a deck is a major investment for you. Our goal is a deck that will increase the value of your home, be a joyful, practical addition to your family life, and enhances the look of your house and landscaping.
Our professional designers will work closely with you to design a deck that enhances the look of your home and property. We will help you decide what features you need to meet the needs of your family and your lifestyle. The result will be a practical deck for you to enjoy today while increasing the value of your home in the future.
We have a reputation for using superior materials for each job. We search for the right type of wood and components to make the most of the design. Our craftspeople are known for the quality of their work. We are the deck builder experts in Great Falls, VA, known for constructing decks that last for decades and requires minimal upkeep. Worried about the mess of construction? Our builders keep the work site as clean as possible during construction.
We keep you in the loop throughout the process, so there are never any surprises about deadlines and costs. The backbone of our reputation for caring customer service is clear, open communication. That starts at the design phase and continues on throughout the construction.
Our prices are competitive, and we take pride in working with a variety of budgets. You can choose your materials, including:
- Red cedar
- Composite decking
- Eco-friendly pressure treated pine
- Other materials as requested
In addition to being a deck builder in Great Falls, VA, Hal Co handles a range of outdoor projects for homes and businesses, including:
- Residential fences
- Commercial fences for kennels, security, special events and athletic fields
- Screened porches
- Gazebos
- Roofing
- Porticos
- Specialty structures
Call the deck builder experts at Hal Co today for a free, no-obligation quote.