Fall Deck Building on a Budget

When homeowners dream of having a new deck but find themselves facing financial constraints, contractors need to offer solutions that align with their aspirations. Building a deck becomes a sought-after project and tackling it during the fall season is appealing due to several practical benefits.

As a contractor, understanding how to make this dream a reality within budgetary constraints becomes crucial. There are numerous cost-saving opportunities to explore when it comes to deck construction—including using the right tools such as the SCRAIL® Splitless Decking System from BECK—ensuring that clients can achieve their desired outdoor space without breaking the bank.

Choose the Right Material

There's more than one way to save money on decking materials. Know the options so you can advise your clients and help them choose the right material for their project.

The Long-Term Money Saver: Composite Decking Material

Composite decking material is made from a combination of resin and wood pulp. It's incredibly durable and low maintenance. In fact, most composite decking needs no maintenance, aside from the occasional sweeping.

While it's not the cheapest material to purchase, quality composite decking material can last for decades and never needs to be refinished or painted. Given enough time, this composite decking material can save clients thousands of dollars over the years.

The Cheaper Option Now: Pressure-Treated Wood

Pressure-treated wood is a low-cost building material that lasts for a long time without rotting. Unfortunately, pressure-treated wood does need to be repainted or refinished on a regular basis to maintain its strength and structural integrity. Clients should plan to refinish their wood decks every three to five years, depending on what kind of paint or finishing material they use.

Simplify the Design

Multi-level decks and decks of unusual shapes can be very costly. Steer your clients in the direction of a straightforward rectangular (or square) shaped deck. Avoid curving lines and corners that are less or greater than 90 degrees. Remember to advise your clients that a ground-level deck can be dramatically cheaper. Ground-level decks (less than 30 inches tall) require no railings, and that can help save money on materials as well as labor.

Build in Fall

You're probably busy all summer long with clients who want their decks built before the end of the season. In fact, the best contractors often have a waiting list of clients who are scheduled months out.

When fall rolls around, many contractors have less business. For those clients who are on a tight budget, offer them a discount if they move their project to autumn. This allows you to fill your summer busy season with as many full-paying clients as possible and can help keep your fall busy as well. It's a win for you and your budget-conscious customers.

Know When to Cut Corners, and When to Invest

It's okay to build a simple deck for a low cost, but it's important to know when to spend money for the sake of the finished product (and the client). Cutting corners doesn't always do your work justice. For example, always get a permit when a permit is required. If your client is pressuring you to do unpermitted work, it may be time to walk away.

Another example: Use quality tools and fasteners to build structures that are safe and structurally sound. BECK’s SCRAIL® Splitless Decking System is designed specifically for projects like deck building and allows for fasteners to be installed quickly without splitting the decking material. These nail screw fasteners are available in stainless steel and FasCoat® for corrosion protection, but then to help with maximum holding power, they are always coated in BECK’s patented diamond coating.

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