Start with a vision of your dream home. Is it missing something? Are you seeking to have an entertaining, relaxing outdoors area? Deck building has become one of the most requested home improvement projects today. The thought of having an outdoor living space to unwind is wonderful, but a deck building will require some effort.

Though it can seem to be overwhelming, every homeowner who does their homework can successfully accomplish the task. Wooderra's new Smart Homeowner Series ensure that our readers will be equipped with all the gist before implementing any home project.

1. Do you need building permits for a deck building?

Typically, building a deck, as any other home construction project must comply with legal requirements, so you need to obtain approval from your municipality. Laws vary from one city to another, one state to the next, and so on.

For instance, some areas require a permit no matter what the size of your deck is; whereas, others have a specific measurement, which, if exceeded, a permit must be obtained.

Therefore, it is necessary to contact your local area's building department or check on their website to acquire the paperwork, building codes and other legal requirements you need for building or remodeling a residential structure.

The process will require time, but building inspectors will help inform you with detailed legal specifications for a deck building to be compliant.

Do the homework before going on full-invested mode on your deck building project in order to avoid potential legal issues.

2. Don't confuse between a deck and patio

A deck or patio or a combination of both will be good for your property.

• Deck: A platform put together by wood decking or composite boards. If you have a sloped yard but want to enjoy having a flat area, a deck is an ideal option. It can also be an extension atop your roof. If your property is more than 1 ft. off the ground, go for a platform deck.
• Patio: An outdoor platform that adjoins a structure, usually made of wood, pavers, concrete, or flagstone. Compared to deck, a patio on a sloped area is more costly and complicated a project because in order to build one, a level surface and retaining walls must be formed. Go for a patio if your door opens right at the ground level.

A favorite design of many homeowners who want the beauty of both structures is to build a deck that walks down to a patio.

3. Support is vital

For safety reasons, you have to make sure that the deck will be able to carry the weight of the materials used to build it, furniture and decorations placed on top of it, and most importantly, the people that will be enjoying it.

For it to support these weights, posts will need to be built under the structure. The type of the posts depends on the size and intricacy of the deck. How deep the post should go in the ground is determined by the height of the potential deck is and the local climate's frost line.

Consult with a professional to ensure the safety of your family and prevention of mishaps.

4. Know your level of DIY skills?

If you are confident with your building abilities, carpentry and engineering experience, and related skills, a DIY deck building is not out of reach. Deck building is actually a good workout, a crafty hobby for those who want to enhance their personal building skills.

However, besides the perks, there are some drawbacks. Firstly, a lot of DIY structures are built without permits, which can be a big hassle when selling the home. Deck building requires a lot of effort to look right, stay level and adhere to building codes. A home inspection will reveal if these criteria were met, and if not, you would have to fix your deck before you could actually sell your home.

Furthermore, when the deck is built and well maintained, you can recover about 80-90% of its costs when selling your home. Hence, hiring a professional to build your deck is going to be a beneficial investment in a long run.

5. Hire an expert

If you decide to get expert help, seek recommendations from credible sources like friends, family members, colleagues, or neighbors. Go for a licensed contractor with specialization in deck building and designing. Always ask for references, check the testimonials of their previous projects, their background, and a concise, detailed price quote before committing to their service.

The typical deck building procedure starts with the contractor taking measurements and pictures of the project location, based on which he or she can make suggestions to achieve the dream deck you want. Everything should be mapped out in 3D or equivalent designing software, and the traffic flow and furniture placement should also be checked by the professional.

You need to make sure the deck's style, materials and color complement or blend in with your home. Special additions like a kitchen or entertainment system will involve more staff, qualified to do the plumbing, gas lines, put together electrical wires and equipment, and so on.

If you want to build a patio, find someone with patio building experience, as the requirements and approaches for each project differ from one project to another.

6. Purposes and uses

Deck building serves multi-purposes. Some are:

• Dining
• Hanging out
• Area for a pool/spa
• Party area
• Contain a garden or a garden patio

There is no limit to your imagination. Consider your budget and consult with your builder about your deck's functionality, purpose, decide its size, traffic flow, and safety measures.

7. Prepare your budget

Get creative with your ideas but keep your feet on the ground as budget dictates how elaborate the deck can be. Deck building that uses quality materials and lasts for a substantially long time before it needs any significant repair or replacement is never a cheap endeavor.

If this is not going to be a DIY-project, consider budgeting in for a reputable, experienced professional. The quality of labor is just as important as the quality of the materials.

8. Plan your approach

Having a door already leading to the area where you want your deck is the most ideal. However, if that portion of the house does not have one, there will be a need to build one. This will add up to the total costs, drastically or insignificantly, depending on how load-bearing your wall is.

Many homeowners love the idea of dining on their deck, while enjoying the fresh air. If this is also your vision for the ideal deck, it is advisable to locate it in close proximity with the kitchen in for easy access.

9. Where do you want it?

There are some factors that determine the location of your deck building:

• Size of the property
• View
• How close it is to the house
• Microclimates
• Movement of sun and wind
• Its functions and purposes
• Privacy

Deck building is ideal where you have access to a view. Also, if the area is visible from your neighbor's garden and vice versa, a privacy screen will help block the unwanted view.

10. Go green, go lumber

So now you have your permit, calculated your budget, found a builder, had all your efforts and time altogether, and now is when you have to decide the materials you want.

Factors taken into account in choosing one are your local climate, the deck's you want, and how much time you will be willing to spend time on maintenance.

• Synthetic materials: Decks made of synthetic materials, PVC or composite decking, which is a mixture of wood bits and recycled plastic, are popular for their low maintenance. However, these manmade materials are non-biodegradable, which makes it harmful for the environment; they look plasticky, and can get hot in the sun which jeopardizes your comfort during hot summers.
• Because of its combination of compostable biological component (wood) and recyclable industrial material (plastic), you end up with a material that is neither compostable nor recyclable. This makes the saw dust produced from them unsafe for both your respiration and the surrounding environment.
• Wood: Historically speaking, the most traditional and beloved decking material is wood. Environmentally speaking, it is also the most favored option for environmentally conscious homeowners. Even after having been processed into timber decking boards, the material still absorbs carbon and store it through the photosynthesis process.
• As a half-ton of carbon can be stored by an average size wood deck, this helps slow down the global warming. Wood deck is a renewable material and the timber is grown in managed plantations. Wooderra supplies a variety of timber, such as Teak and Cumaru decking, from sustainable sources as well as salvaged wood from the man-made lakes in Panama, like Lake Bayano.
• Using wood for deck building is also ideal for budget-conscious project as they are less pricey than composite. Keep in mind that if you don't take time to care for the wood, they will start weathering and become ugly. However, if you have a periodic maintenance plan, wood decks will stay a timeless, elegant beauty that add values to your home in a long run if you plan to sell it.

11. Other considerations

Decking lighting: Deciding where and how to place your deck lighting is essential if you plan to use it during the night time. Make sure the type of fixtures and the amount of lighting will complement the design and fit the budget. There are plenty of lighting options:

• Path lights
• Landscaping spotlights
• Overhead lights
• For lounge design: ambient lighting
• For cooking and grilling: task lighting
• For stairs: safety lighting

What is under your deck:, You don't want weeds to start to grow under it if your deck building is above earth. Building it over concrete involves a lot more issues so consult with your contractor.

Shade: To maximize the usage of your new outdoor space, you might want to install some shade when it is too sunny or raining. Options range from awnings, large umbrellas, gazebos, and screened-in porches. The more intricate, the more you have to pay. Calculate your budget carefully and think of the uses of the space strategically to make sure you get your money's worth.

Recap of major points you must know before deck building:

1. Building permits

2. Know if you want a deck or patio

3. Support for the deck

4. Know your DIY levels, if not enough, hire an expert

5. Purposes and functions

6. Budget planning and calculation

7. How to access to and the location of the deck

8. Choose between wood and composite

9. Deck lighting and shading system

10. Check what is underneath your deck