Oftentimes people will reach out to us and say,
“Hey! I want to put a deck in my backyard, about how much is that going to cost?”
Though this question may seem simple it is not an easy one to answer for a handful of reasons and here’s why.
- Worthy Outdoors projects are all custom designed and built to your space. No two decks are alike because your backyard, your house, and the way your household uses your property are all different from the next person’s.
- People have different ideas of what a deck is. If you do a google search of the word “deck” no two pictures are alike, they all have very different features and range in size and materials. Some even have lighting and electrical work, others have gas fire pits, multiple levels or covered sections, and almost all vary in height off the ground.
With those two points in mind, I understand why we get this question so often. A prospective client has an outdoor space that would be perfect for an outdoor living project.They know they want to do something with that outdoor space but they have never had a deck or pergola or patio built before so they really have no idea what the numbers will look like. People want to get an idea of what they will be spending so they can decide if they have the funds to build the deck now or if they need to save a little more money and build the deck later. It all makes sense. But again there are so many variables to each Worthy Outdoors project, because we are custom outdoor living designers and builders. But do not worry, there is a way that we can help you get an idea of cost without having to make ALL the decisions about your outdoor living project right away.
That being said, it is important to start to define the “wants” of your project. So how can you do that?
First, start to find a few pictures of decks you like. I love Houzz, Pinterest, and Google images search for inspiration. This is mostly for design purposes and for us to get a sense of your style. Even if you think you are not really sure what you want, once you start looking at images, things you like may start to jump out at you. If you really cannot find anything in the aesthetic that you like, start saving pictures of things you know you do not like. Sometimes knowing what you don’t want is just as helpful as knowing what you do want and even a few pictures can help us make additional suggestions.
Second, make a list of desired features and goals of your project. Take the time to think about how you want to use your deck. Do you want lighting or electrical outlets? How many people do you want to be able to have on your deck? Do you have children or pets that require additional safety features? What are the must-haves from this list vs. the would-like-to-have-if-there-is-room-in-the-budget items?
Third, define a budget you and your household are comfortable with. It is always good to go into a project with a budget and to make it clear to your contractor. Even if you are made of millions, there is a number that makes sense to you for what you are trying to accomplish. Since there are so many variables and features available for outdoor living projects, a defined budget helps us design a product that gives you the greatest value and highest quality product possible at a price you are comfortable with.
Once you have an idea of these three things, we can really start to pull together a good faith ballpark of your project. I have found thinking through these details is a great exercise for all our prospective clients because it helps clients realize they know more about what they want than they may think. It also helps us get to know the client so we can design and build the product that is right for your yard, your family and your finances. Worthy Outdoors understands that when we design and build for you we are curating a space where memories will be made for years to come and that is not something we take lightly!
If you have been thinking about an outdoor living project, we would love to talk to you! You can schedule a design consultation here.
