Decking Construction: Mistakes to Avoid When Building a Deck

A beautiful decking and accompanying pergola in Melbourne can be a great addition to your home. You get a wonderful outdoor space to sit around and relax. You can also entertain you, kids and guest, by planning different themed parties on them. Decking and pergolas when combined can give your house space a unique curb appeal. Your house will look amazing and everyone would love to come to have some good times in your deck.

Once you decide to go with the project the question arises, how to find a reliable deck builder? Now, we all know the fact the installation of decks and pergolas is important and a qualified and experienced builder can do the job with ease.

But if you are someone who wants to take it as a DIY project, then you have to keep certain points in mind. You must be aware of all the common mistakes and have to avoid them which otherwise can ruin your decking project.

Photo by Artistic Concrete Surfaces

The following is a list of common mistakes to avoid while building your deck:

Poor Planning

Let’s face it guys, planning is the most important expectations of any DIY project. While building your deck, you need to extra careful with the process as you have to deal with screws, wood beams, and deck boards by your own. Any flaw in the plan can result in poor construction and as a result, your expenses will shoot up. It can seriously hurt your budget. That’s why you also need to know how to maintain a deck.

Photo by Hermle Photography

Design the deck properly. Create a list of all the supply needed. Get the information about the permits required for decking. Not take it is as a casual project. Be thorough while planning and cover up all the details to avoid any mistakes.

Building Permit

In the excitement of building our decking, we oftentimes forget to know about the different rules and regulation needed to build them. You have to get the proper information about the building permit needed for building a deck. You have to visit a local building or planning office. Don’t keep this task for the last, as it can cost you time and money. Submit your plan which includes information about the location, railing height, foundation piers, etc. Also, prepare yourself for any unannounced site visit from an inspector. Prepare yourself for any questions asked by the inspector, so that you don’t face any difficulty in getting the permit.

Photo by Rentfrow Design, LLC

Quality of Building Material

You have to take proper measures while choosing the building material for the decks. Choose a material which is resistant to any rust, decay and warping. Use pressure-treated wood as a decking material, it is a durable and most popular choice amongst the constructors. You also have an option of vinyl, composite, natural wood decking materials. Always choose galvanized, or stainless steel for nails, bolts, screws and hinges. They are rust-resistant so gives extra protection to your deck. By using quality materials, you can increase the longevity of the deck and can enjoy a good return on your investment. You can ask to experts about these materials and what dos and don’ts of deck installation.

Photo by ilumus photography & marketing

Proper Following Manufacturers’ Instruction

Never forget the fact that you are not a professional deck builder and this your DIY project. This fact alone makes the manufacturers’ instruction even more important. The instructions will help and guide you through from the entire process of decking. It gives you all the details about the building materials you need and how to effectively use them. You can’t leave anything to yourinstinct as any mistake can cause a delay as well as cost you money. Act as if you are the most attentive student in the class and your work will be graded. Keeping this kind of mindset will help you maintain focus throughout the project.

Photo by Lenzi Construction & Remodeling LLC

Final Thoughts

Taking a decking DIY project, if done properly, can fetch you some good return on investment. But you have to sacrifice your time and energy for building your deck. On top of that, if you make any mistake it can increase the time and effort needed to fix it. You can end up losing a lot of money. The above-mentioned list will help you to avoid commonly made mistakes during a DIY project. And if you find the task difficult, then you can always hire professional deck builders to finish the project.

Author Bio:

I’m Ariana Mortenson, a professional writer and blogger by profession. I write on various niches in a way that it’s understandable and appealing to the people. I always strive to provide users with useful and informative articles in a readable format.