There are so many great reasons to add a deck onto any piece of property with the right amount of outdoor space. It's great for entertaining guests or for just relaxing with a good book on a sunny day. And whether it's added on to a bungalow, townhome, or two storey abode, real estate agents are now finding that well-designed outdoor spaces can really add to the value of your property. Patrick Rocca tells us that his clients often ask for an easy to maintain landscape with a patio or deck for outdoor entertaining when they tell him their property wish list. There are so many different styles of decks out there and you want to make sure that you're choosing one that will serve your needs and compliment that dream home you just purchased. Here are some tips for choosing the right deck.
Start by outlining what your deck space will be used for. If you're just looking for a small space to relax at the end of a long day than you're likely not going to need something as elaborate as if you're interested in an entertaining room with a full outdoor kitchen. If you're planning an entire backyard design than you will want to factor in what things are going to be on the deck and what will be on the lawn. You don't want to plan a deck that is meant to hold a patio set and kitchen and then find out that it's too small or awkwardly shaped.
Whether you're dealing with a condo with a patio or a home in Toronto with a small back yard, it's a good idea to have an inspection done of your land before you draw out any deck design. This will let you know if the land you are working with is going to support a deck on its own or if there will be any additional costs to make the area safe. Once this is done you can start planning out your deck design. You can look through standard designs that are offered by deck building companies or can create something unique for your home. For home inspections, try dealing with a reputable inspection company like Housemaster and you will find that big box home stores like Lowe's often employ deck designers to help consumers.
You will also definitely want to decide who is making this deck before you settle on any design. If you're hiring professionals to create a whole wrap-around deck you are likely going to want to get quotes from at least three different companies and get references before doing any hiring. If you're building the deck yourself than you're going to want to double check to make sure you know what you're doing when it comes to making it safely and within budget. You don't want to spend hours of time and lots of money creating a deck that looks like it is not safe for you to use.
| 