10 Tips To Help You Build Your Dream Deck

The dogwoods are blooming, the azaleas are popping and spring fever is quickly spreading across Atlanta. With warm weather beckoning, now is the time to enjoy outdoor living—or perhaps to tackle a long-anticipated deck renovation.

However, anyone who has been to The Home Depot on a Saturday morning in the springtime knows exterior improvement projects are easier said than done. Before you spend hours shopping or collecting inspiration images, consider these 10 tips from the pros to save time, money and headaches.

1. Define the Deck

First, let’s get technical. In construction, a “deck” specifically refers to a flat surface capable of supporting weight. The name refers to the floor of a ship, but in this case, is connected to a building and elevated from the ground.

Even if you’re only building a deck, it’s important to plan with the entire outdoor living space in mind. “A deck is just one piece of the puzzle,” said Patrick Bell, the owner-designer and build-lead at City Garden Company.

2. Make a Wish List

Even if things like a pool, fire feature or structure are still years away, including it in the plan now will maximize the space later, Bell said.

Frank Pologruto, the president and founder of Decks & More, agreed it’s best to start with the deck first before adding extra bells and whistles. “People love options and the possibilities are all there,” said Pologruto. “We can build the Taj Mahal.” 

3. Budget, Budget, Budget

If you’ve been saving for your dream deck for years, be prepared for sticker shock. “Peoples’ expectations of cost are very different than they were five years ago because of the pandemic and rising costs,” Bell said.

Here’s a guide from Yardzen to help set expectations based on how much you want to spend:

• $5K- Focus on smaller-scale, high-impact updates that transform key areas of the yard, such as adding a well-designed fire pit, creating a simple pathway with gravel or pavers, or installing low-maintenance garden beds with a mix of drought-tolerant plants. At this price point, it’s all about enhancing the existing space with functional, stylish elements that add charm without a complete overhaul.

• $10K- Begin to explore more substantial changes, such as building a small patio or creating an outdoor dining area complete with furniture and overhead string lights for ambiance. It’s also possible to add more complex landscaping elements, such as built-in seating, raised garden beds or a drip irrigation system for efficient watering.

• $50K And Up- Consider incorporating a range of outdoor features that create a beautifully integrated space. This budget provides a starting point for the addition of outdoor kitchens, pergolas and large patios or decks. You can also introduce more intricate hardscaping elements, like stone retaining walls, water features and even a small swimming pool.

4. Prepare for Permits

Experts can help clients navigate any necessary permits. Community ordinances may regulate how trees are maintained, conserved or removed, and getting a removal permit can be time-consuming and costly. “The client can say what they want and give us inspiration pictures, and that shapes the vibe of it all, but often the real driver of design are the city’s ordinances,” Bell added.

5. Embrace the Outdoors

Decks are outside, after all, so understanding the surrounding natural environment is important. “Designing a deck to blend naturally with the landscape is key to creating a harmonious and functional outdoor space,” said Brandy Hall, the founder and CEO of Shades of Green Permaculture.

Hall recommends working with the property’s natural contours to minimize excavation and avoid removing trees. “Consider how the deck can enhance the microclimate—providing shade, sheltering nearby plants or creating comfortable outdoor living areas,” she added. “Multi-functional designs are especially effective, incorporating elements like built-in seating, rainwater catchment systems or even small garden beds.”

6. Think Hyperlocal

Easy access to aspirational, high-design images available online today can skew homeowners’ visions for their own backyard. “Instagram and Google search have been great tools for people to develop the sense of what they want, but it’s unrealistic in a lot of senses, especially if the materials they are looking at are very expensive and not location-specific,” Bell cautioned. In other words, Southern California or the Pacific Northwest have very different geography, flora and fauna than North Georgia.

For best results, start hyperlocal. “The first place we look for materials for hardscaping projects is on the site itself—concrete from an old patio we’re pulling up or existing and intact deck materials or trees and logs or even old furniture and hardscaping,” said Hall. Bonus: using recycled, repurposed and native materials will not only reduce the environmental impact, minimize waste and support local businesses, but also help your wallet.

7. Understand Your Options

When it comes to choosing materials for the deck, there is no shortage of options, including synthetic MoistureShield composite decking, pressure-treated lumber made from pine or fir trees, redwood, Forest Stewardship Council-certified Cedar or hardwood (such as Ipe, Camura or Tigerwood).

Ultimately, the decision is about more than just money. Cheaper doesn’t always mean better. “The biggest challenge is called dollars and sense,” said Pologruto. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons across price, durability, maintenance and sustainability. 

“Wood is going to be the most cost-effective thing to do, however, it’s maintenance-heavy,” he said. “You’ve got to pressure wash and re-stain every one to two years, depending how much sun and weather you’re getting.” On average and with proper care, Pologruto says wood decks last 10 to 15 years.

On the other hand, composite decking is a bigger investment upfront, but requires less maintenance and can last between 20 to 30 years. “If it’s a forever home and you’re not moving, composite can make sense,” Pologruto added.

8. Choose Materials Wisely

And the list for hardscapes goes on — from pavers to flagstone to poured-in-place concrete pavers to gravel — with each offering unique advantages based on style, function, accessibility and maintenance. Do your research, talk to the pros and choose the one that aligns best with your needs.

For example, Hall recommends flagstone as an excellent choice for pathways and patios due to its natural aesthetic and permeability, which allows water to infiltrate the ground and helps reduce the risk of flash floods during heavy rains. New tile or freshly poured concrete, on the other hand, are impermeable, contribute to runoff and have a high-carbon footprint. “We also love pebbles for their cost-effectiveness and excellent water infiltration, making them ideal for pathways, mulch alternatives and water-wise landscapes,” she said.

9. Be Realistic

Keep in mind how much regular upkeep work you’re willing to do overall. When it comes to maintaining an outdoor living space, it’s not just the deck that will need care, but also plants and potential pests.

10. Trust the Process

In a perfect world, your new deck will be ready in time to host that graduation party or neighborhood barbecue this summer, but timing can be tricky. Be prepared for at least two months of the design and permitting phase—and the associated costs—before any building even begins, Bell said.

Practice patience, listen to the pros and trust the process. When done well, a deck will last for decades.

Resource Guide:

City Garden Company: citygardenco.com | 706.818.0673
Decks & More: atlantadeckbuilder.com | 770.235.6929
Shades of Green Permaculture: shadesofgreenpermaculture.com | 404.494.0140
Yardzen: yardzen.com | 888.927.3936