How to afford a deck?

Borrowers have several affordable options when it comes to financing a deck including a home equity loan or line of credit, a personal loan, or a builder loan. Many or all of the companies featured compensate us, which allows our service to be free.

How do most people pay for a deck?

If you're planning a new deck or patio, the first step is to decide how you'll pay for it. Cash is the interest-free way to pay, but if you need deck financing, your options include a personal loan, home equity loan or line of credit, credit cards and contractor financing.

What is the cheapest way to build a deck?

Pressure-treated wood is generally the cheapest material to build decks from. For up-front savings, that seems great, but don't forget long-term costs. Wood decks require yearly maintenance such as staining or painting, and they'll often break down quite quickly if you fall behind on maintenance.

How can I save money to build a deck?

Is it hard to build a deck?

The Bottom Line. It may seem overwhelming at first, but if you have the time and a solid understanding of basic construction principles, you can build a pretty incredible deck all on your own. Just keep in mind that while a DIY deck project might be a great option for some, it's not the solution for everyone.

How To Build An Affordable Deck

Does a deck add value to a home?

According to the 2021 Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling magazine, a deck addition is a top 10 outdoor home improvement. A wood deck, which will cost on average about $16,766 will recoup about 68% of its value, and a composite deck, which will cost about $22,426, will recoup about 63% at home sale.

Is it cheaper to do a deck or patio?

Patios are usually more cost-effective to construct than decks. The reason for this is that they're usually made out of concrete, bricks, or stone, which are all less expensive materials! One study showed that—per square foot—patios cost less than half the cost of decks!

What is the downside of a deck?

What to avoid when building a deck?

How much does it cost to build a 20x20 deck?

The average homeowner spends $2,200 to build a 10x10 foot deck, $6,160 to build a 14x20 deck, and $8,800 to build a 20x20 deck. The cost to build a deck with pressure-treated wood, hardwood, or composite is about $25 per square foot, for both materials and installation.

How much should I budget for a deck?

The average cost to build a deck is $20 – $50 per square foot. This includes both decking material and labor costs—with anywhere from half to two-thirds of the expense coming from the latter. Opting for cheaper material, such as pressure-treated wood, can bring the price down to around $20 per square foot.

What are the least expensive deck options?

The most economical decking material, by far, is pressure treated wood. Pressure treated wood is superior to regular wood because it has been infused with chemicals that help it resist decay and rot, as well as damage from certain types of insects.

What is the lifespan of a deck?

Traditional wood deck: Typically 10 to 15 years. Capped composite: Industry experts agree these boards can last 25 to 30+ years. Capped polymer (the best of the best): Because of its superior material composition, capped polymer boards can last much longer, potentially 50 years or more.

What size deck is most cost effective?

Check the cost per linear foot of the lumber you're considering; typically 12-foot boards are the most cost-effective. In other words, the cost per linear foot of a 12-foot board is likely to be several cents less than the cost of either an 8-foot or a 16-foot board.

How much should I pay in labor to build a deck?

The average labor cost to build a deck is between $8 and $22 per square foot. This makes up about half the total deck cost per square foot. At that rate, you might consider making your deck project a DIY. In this case, you can eliminate the labor costs and only have to pay the deck material costs.

What time of year should you build a deck?

Fall is the perfect time to build a deck. There's a common misconception that decks should only be built in the spring or summer, but autumn is actually an ideal time to begin building your deck.

What is the most common deck failure?

The most common cause of deck failure is at the deck railing. Inadequately fastened railings (i.e. rusty nails/screws) are usually unable to withstand much lateral load. Low railings are also a cause for concern.

Where do most decks fail?

Deck failure can occur where the joists were toe nailed to the ledger or where the hangars are corroded. Rotted wood where the hangars or nails attach can also cause this type of failure. This can cause the deck to pull away from the house. The posts or beams can fail due to rot.

Is a deck high maintenance?

Unfortunately, because the deck area is left outdoors in all climates and weather conditions, it frequently requires a lot of maintenance to keep it looking and functioning at its best.

What causes most deck collapses?

Common Causes of Deck Collapses

Older decks may be weakened by rotting wood and rusted screws and nails. In other cases, the wood may not have been treated or sealed properly, resulting in water damage. Termite infestation: Properly treating wood can prevent termite infestation.

Is it cheaper to lay concrete or build a deck?

It's cheaper to build a concrete patio in terms of both the initial cost to lay a concrete patio, as well as its cost of maintenance over time. A concrete patio costs only $4 per square foot, while a deck costs roughly $6 per square foot for lower-cost pressure treated lumber.

What adds more value a deck or patio?

Both a deck and a patio offer an impressive resale value. However, patios are usually less expensive, and their resale value is 100%—slightly higher than a deck's 76% resale value.

Should you build a deck or patio first?

Whenever possible, it's ideal to begin with the patio. This is mostly because the project is easiest to coordinate from an excavation point by starting with the patio. The footers for the deck can be installed at the time of the patio excavation.