The deck is the one place in your yard that you can always be sure to have company. It’s a perfect spot for friends and family to get together, or for hosting dinner parties. But if your deck has seen better days, it might be time to renovate or modernize it! There are many ways that you can do this – from building a new deck on an existing deck structure to adding features like lighting and benches.

1. What is the condition of your deck

First and foremost, it is recommended that you take a good look at your deck. Is the deck in need of a complete renovation? Or, is it going to require some more minor touch-ups or repairs?

When taking this initial walk around your deck, pay attention to what condition certain components are currently in. Look for signs of damage such as rotting wood and chipped paint. These issues will likely be very costly to fix later on down the road and could cause extensive destruction if they aren’t taken care of quickly enough! 

After completing an inspection like this, ask yourself: How much time do I have before my deck becomes unusable due to rot or other forms of damage like rusting nails? When deciding how long you have until renovations become necessary, take into account factors like deck size and weather patterns.

2. How much money do you want to spend on it

Once you have determined whether or not your deck needs a complete renovation or just some touch-ups, the next step is figuring out how much money you are willing to put towards renovations (if any). If this will be your first time renovating a deck yourself without help from an expert then it can seem very overwhelming at first!

There are so many different supplies that one could purchase for their decks such as paint in various colors and sizes; wood stains of varying kinds; nails, screws, and bolts…the list goes on forever! The bottom line: It’s okay if you don’t know where to start right away – make sure to take your time to make an educated deck renovation decision that will benefit you in the long run.

3. What are your goals for the renovation – what will you use it for

What you should have in mind before deciding to deck renovation are your goals for the deck in question. This includes what you will use it for, how often, and with who – if at all! Will you be entertaining guests throughout the summer? If so, then a deck that is functional but not necessarily aesthetically pleasing may work perfectly fine; Should you consider getting plastic decking perhaps? However, if this deck is going to be used as an outdoor living space or office where comfortability and aesthetics come into play then perhaps something more updated would suit your needs better.

4. Do you need any permits or inspections before starting construction

Before starting any work on deck, it’s a good idea to make sure that you have all the necessary permits and approvals.

You should check with your local building department or agency for any regulations regarding deck construction in your area as well as what type of inspections will be required during and after deck installation. You may also need an occupancy permit if you plan on using your new deck right away however this depends on where you live and if there are specific requirements for decks installed near pools or hot tubs. 

In addition, most homeowners insurance policies require proof from utility companies that power lines can safely cross over deck structures before they will cover them under their policy which is why it’s best to call around first to find out more information about these types of restrictions before you begin deck construction.

5. Are there any structural changes that need to be made (adding a railing, changing outposts) 

Realizing whether deck renovations need to be made can help in the deck design. Are there any structural changes that need to be made (adding a railing, changing outposts)?

Once you have an idea of what deck renovation work needs to be done and whether it’s feasible for your budget, then you can figure out how deck designs will change with construction updates: 

– How many new deck materials do you want?  

– What dimensions should deck plans take on? 

– Do you plan on updating lighting or furnishings as well? Once all questions are answered, it’s time to begin planning deck design. In order for deck plans, measurements, and blueprints layouts not only to look good but also flow together nicely, they must go through several phases of deck renovation.

– Draw deck plans in CAD software

– Have deck plans reviewed by a professional deck designer – Add (or remove) features from deck designs based on feedback from your deck contractor or designer

Once you have figured out the design of your new updated deck, it’s time to get started! A standard-sized porch takes about two weeks to finish; however, larger constructions can take up to three months depending on size and height restrictions placed upon them.

6. Is this project better left up to professionals because it requires specialized knowledge and skills

Last but not least, deck renovation is a big project, and unless you have extensive experience in deck building or deck repair, it might be best to hire out the work.

It’s true that there are many “how-to” videos online and some of them even provide helpful tips for deck refurbishment on your own. 

But when it comes down to professional deck installation jobs like this one, knowledge about tools required and skills needed may vary from person to person which makes us think that hiring professionals would be better than DIY projects.

Even though renovating old decks seems daunting at first because they require lots of time and effort. But, if we break things up into smaller pieces focusing only on specific areas such as leveling issues then our job will get done much faster and more efficiently.