Deck and Porch Remodeling: Factors That Affect the Cost

This FFDM Brentwood Collection will look great on patios, decks and porches.

Do you ever wonder how much a porch or deck remodeling would cost? Deck and porch contractors are professionals that can help you assess this. Apart from consulting with them, you can also do your own deck research.

First, you must understand a few factors that will affect the project cost (whether to increase or decrease it). These factors include the budget, height of the structure, its shape, railing length, benches and steps, permits, removal of the old structure, built-in features, longevity, your personal preference, and the cost of materials.

Let’s discuss a few –

Budget

The budget will always have a direct effect on the remodeling cost, after all, if you don’t have ample budget, then you won’t be able to create your dream porch or deck. Having a smaller budget could also mean letting go of certain features such as rails, benches and rails.

Set the budget for the deck project before you even begin it. If you don’t do this, you could end up overspending, or worse, be left with an unfinished project.

Material Costs

The deck cost depends hugely on the kind of wood that you have chosen. There are plenty of options for wood if you want to make a beautiful and improved deck. The prices vary from $1 per square foot or as high as $41 for every square foot.

Keep in mind that wood isn’t the only choice that you can use. You can also use vinyl, plastic, concrete or aluminum. All these options offer different benefits and features.

Height

The higher your deck, the more materials you are going to use to complete it. So, yes, higher decks cost a lot more. Just think of it like a home. A three-story home is a lot costlier than a studio-type home within the same community.

Shape

The deck can be fashioned in any shape that you want. It can be a basic square, the unique S-shape or it can even be abstract. The more complex the shape, the costlier it is going to be. Unique designs, after all, take more time to plan and be built. Also, they could require extra permits that standard decks no longer need.

Railing Length

Remember that not all decks need rails. If you are building one that’s off the ground or are adding to the second story, then rails are a must-have.

Rails also add a certain beauty to single-story decks. You can just have shortened rails for such. Remember that the partial rail is cheaper than the full rail.

Benches and Steps

What is the main function for your porch or deck? You are likely to be building this deck so that your friends and your family could enjoy the outdoors throughout the year. Of course, you will need benches and other seating units installed. Benches could also increase the value of the house when it’s already time to sell.

Steps are also features that are not really needful. They are nice to have, though. Steps also do not add much to the deck’s overall cost so if you want some steps installed, go ahead and do so.

Old Deck Removal

If you already have an existing deck, then it would also cost more to have it removed and then to have a new one built. It will take manual labor to remove the previous one, so, you might need to shell out an extra thousand dollars to about $1,500 for the whole project.

Permits and Insurance

Building a new deck means you are likely going to apply for a permit. Decking contractors can do this for you. This extra service will also cost you more.

Any structural addition requires insurance so if this is your first deck, then you will need to have insurance. Remodeling could require an increased insurance premium.

Tags: deck, deck and porch, deck design, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, porch, porch design

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 21st, 2017 at 8:00 am and is filed under Outdoors Style. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.