The leaves are changing color and falling from the trees. There’s a chill in the air. You may be planning more indoor activities than outdoor. However, the arrival of fall does not necessarily mean that it’s time to ignore your deck. Actually, fall is the ideal time to plan and build your dream deck so that when the next spring arrives, you can make the most of it.
Beat the Spring Rush: Time and Availability
One of the top reasons to start planning your dream deck in the fall is simple: availability. When spring arrives, many people are rushing to get their deck projects started, and that means that contractors book up fast. Schedules can end up booked solid before you can even get your call in. In fall and early winter, on the other hand, deck builder availability is much higher, so you won’t have to wait as long to get your project scheduled.
Getting your deck built can take time. Consider:
- The initial consultation: Go over what you want and expect from your build and get an estimate of potential costs and timelines
- Design: Your builder will put together a design that reflects your needs and desires, including ensuring that the design is in keeping with all legal requirements
- Quote: The builder will offer a full quote that details what the project will cost
- Contract signing: Both parties will sign the contract and agree to the process
Every step in the process moves faster during the off-season, when builders have fewer demands on their time and can focus more fully on your project.
Get a Permitting Head Start
Municipal offices, including Fairfax County and Annapolis, are often less busy in the fall. That means that fall deck building in Maryland moves much smoother, since you won’t have to wait on backlogs at the office. Getting your plans approved early, even if the weather isn’t cooperating, also means one less headache when the weather breaks–and that you can move forward with your project on schedule.
Practical Advantages for Your Property
Planning your dream deck in the fall also offers a number of practical advantages for your property–and your ability to enjoy it.
It’s Better for Your Yard
The ground is generally firmer in the cooler, drier fall months. That minimizes tracking, mud, and heavy equipment damage to your existing landscaping – and ultimately means that you’ll be happier with the process.
Material Stability
Decking materials, particularly wood, but also composite, can acclimate better during cold weather, before the heavy heat and moisture of summer set in. That means better overall stability for your deck and may mean that it will better stand the test of time.
Less Disruption
Your outdoor season is ending. With the fall chill in the air, you’re no longer spending as much time in your yard. That means that both construction noise and activity are less disruptive during the fall than they are in the summer, when you want to spend time outside and all that construction equipment may be in the way.
The Financial Edge
In some cases, taking care of your deck project during the fall can mean cost savings. Wood and vinyl prices regularly fluctuate, which can make it difficult to predict exactly what the final cost of your deck project will be. However, off-season construction can mean some pricing advantages or access to material deals that disappear when the spring rush occurs.
Lock in the Price
Even if you don’t launch your deck construction project now, planning it and signing the contract can lead to potential discounts. Signing your contract now protects you from potential material cost increases that may occur in the high-demand spring market.
Ready for the First Warm Day
Managing your deck project during the fall and winter doesn’t just offer practical advantages. It can also provide you with a substantial emotional payoff. Imagine it: your project is complete, the final inspection is passed, and the dust has settled. When warm weather arrives, you’re ready to get out there and start enjoying your deck–unlike the homeowner who waited, whose yard is a construction zone while most of the neighborhood is grilling out and relaxing.
Full Season Enjoyment
When you don’t start your deck project until spring, that means you’re going to miss out on enjoying it for a large part of the season. When you get your deck done in the fall, on the other hand, it’s ready the moment temperatures rise, guaranteeing the full season of use. It’s use-ready for the first warm day, no waiting required.
Don’t wait until spring! Schedule your free fall deck design consultation with Long Fence today!
If you’re thinking about a deck project, now is the time to get it started. By taking care of your deck construction project now, you can feel confident that it will be ready to enjoy when spring arrives, not to mention ensuring that you can continue to enjoy your outdoor space throughout the season. Contact us today to learn more about our deck options.
Image Credit: Victor Yarmolyuk / Shutterstock
