You are probably thinking about putting a new deck on your Zanesville home. That is a good idea. A well-built deck can change your backyard a lot. It gives you a great place for family cookouts as well as quiet mornings with coffee. You can also just enjoy our Ohio seasons. But some people in Zanesville make common mistakes when they plan or hire for a Deck Construction project. This happens from Putnam to the north end of town. You do not want to make these mistakes. We will talk about what to watch out for so you can avoid problems with your Deck Construction.
Skipping the Permits (This is a Big Mistake)
This is probably the biggest mistake we see for Deck Construction in Zanesville. It is a very big one. Homeowners sometimes think they can just build a deck without telling anyone. They might also think it is a small project and permits are not needed. This is not correct. If you are building a new deck or doing a big renovation, you will almost certainly need a building permit. This permit comes from the City of Zanesville's Building Department.
Permits are important. They are not just extra paperwork. Permits make sure your deck is safe as well as up to code. They make sure things like proper footings are correct. They also ensure structural integrity as well as railing heights are all correct. If you build without a permit, you could get fines. You might also have to tear down your new deck. In addition, you could have trouble selling your house later on. A good Deck Builder, like us at All Star Deck Solutions, will always handle the permit applications as well as inspections for you in Zanesville.
Not Understanding Zanesville's Unique Challenges
Zanesville is not flat ground. This is especially true if you live in one of those nice homes along the Muskingum River valley. That hilly ground means your lot probably has some changes in grade. That affects how a deck needs to be designed as well as built. You cannot just put a standard deck plan onto a sloped yard. It will not last. You need a Deck Construction design that considers those changes. You might even need a multi-level deck to make that slope into a good feature for your Zanesville home.
Our Ohio weather is another thing to think about. We get humid summers as well as snowy winters. This means your Deck Construction needs to be built with materials and techniques that can stand up to that weather. For example, footings need to be set deep enough. They must go below Muskingum County's frost line. That is usually 36 inches or deeper. Taking shortcuts here is a common reason decks fail around Zanesville. All Star Deck Solutions has seen this happen too many times.
Hiring the Wrong Contractor (or the Cheapest One)
This is where many people have problems with their Deck Construction. It is tempting to choose the lowest bid. But that often leads to bad results. Here are some warning signs you need to watch out for when hiring a Deck Builder in Zanesville:
- No License or Insurance: A professional Deck Builder should always have a full license as well as insurance. If they cannot show you proof, you should walk away. You do not want to be responsible if someone gets hurt on your property. You also do not want to be responsible if something goes wrong with your Deck Construction.
- No Clear Contract or Poor Communication: Every Deck Construction project needs a detailed contract. This contract should show the work scope as well as the cost. It also needs the timeline as well as the terms. If a Deck Builder is unclear, or does not want to put things in writing, that is a big warning sign. It is also a warning sign if they are hard to reach.
- Demanding Full Payment Upfront: Good Deck Builders usually ask for a deposit. Then they ask for payments tied to project milestones. If someone wants all the money before they even start your Deck Construction, that is a very big warning sign.
- Unverifiable References or Bad Reviews: Ask for local references for their Deck Construction work and actually check them. Look at their past projects. If they cannot give you any references, or if their online reviews are always bad, that tells you something about the Deck Builder.
- Deals That Are Too Good to Be True: If a bid for Deck Construction is much lower than others, there is usually a reason. They might be cutting corners on materials. They might also be cutting corners on labor. Or they might be skipping those very important permits. You will end up paying more later to fix bad work.
Ignoring the Long-Term Vision
Sometimes homeowners focus only on getting a deck built. They do not think about how they will actually use it five or ten years later. Will your family get bigger? Do you plan on adding a hot tub? What about future landscaping around your Zanesville home? Think about how people will move from your house to the deck as well as into your yard. A deck should make your home better. It should not just be an add-on. Consider things like how much sun it will get. Also think about how it fits with your existing house style. And think about if it is easy to maintain. These are all things we talk about with our clients at All Star Deck Solutions during the Deck Construction design phase.
Not Planning for Maintenance
No deck is completely maintenance-free. This is true even for composite decks. Composite decking like Trex needs less upkeep than wood. But it still needs cleaning. Wood decks, of course, need regular staining or sealing. This protects them from Zanesville's weather. Not doing maintenance can lead to expensive repairs later on. When you are planning your Deck Construction, think about how much time as well as effort you want to put into upkeep. Then choose your materials based on that.
Building a deck is a big investment for your Zanesville home. You want it done correctly. By avoiding these common mistakes, you will be on your way to enjoying a nice, safe, and long-lasting outdoor space right here in Zanesville. All Star Deck Solutions is ready to help with your Deck Construction.