Tag Archives: Warner Robins GA deck builder

An Aging Warner Robins GA Deck and Pergola Get a Much-Needed Upgrade

At Archadeck of Central Georgia, we often see decks, whose lifespans are over by years.  We understand that building a new deck to replace the old one might not be at the top of your home improvement list, but when it comes to a pergola that is damaging your home, it becomes top priority!

Warner Robins GA deck and pergola builders

These Warner Robbins homeowners’ wood deck was approximately 15 to 20 years old – not only beyond its lifespan, but poorly constructed from the start.  While we typically recommend homes with concrete slabs have a patio or hardscape outdoor living space, these homeowners really wished for a new deck.  Archadeck of Central Georgia was pleased to give them one.

We are your trusted Warner Robins GA deck builder

We built the new wood deck frame atop the exact footprint of the former deck, but we gave it one very important upgrade with TimberTech Terrain composite decking in Brown Oak.  The new composite deck will give these homeowners many years of low-maintenance use.  The deck railing is constructed of pressure treated wood with a TimberTech top rail cap.  We replaced the older, narrower steps with wider ones, using three decking boards, rather than two.

Replacing the little pergola that couldn’t

Warner Robins GA deck and pergola builders

Unfortunately for these Warner Robins homeowners, the existing wood pergola was attached to home’s fascia, minus flashing or any sort of water diversion.  Over the years, excessive water exposure rotted home’s soffit.  Archadeck of Central Georgia not only rid their home of the damaging structure, but we repaired the soffit and replaced the fascia.  When we built their new pressure treated wood pergola, we made it higher, allowing flashing to be installed atop the pergola beam and water to run over and off the beam.  To aid this gutter-less home further, we installed two water diverters above the door, so the water will run off at an angle.

See more pergolas by Archadeck of Central Georgia.

How is your deck holding up these days?

Archadeck of Central Georgia has been a trusted Warner Robins deck builder since 1991.  Deck failures account for more than 30 deaths in the United States each year.  If you believe your deck could be unsafe, please do not use it.  Call on us for a deck safety inspection!  Allow Archadeck of Central Georgia to determine the structural integrity of your deck and offer solutions if your deck is failing.

If your deck is beyond its shelf life, we are ready to offer a solution for your family’s safety and optimum usage. Archadeck of Central Georgia is the Macon and Warner Robins area’s premier outdoor structure builder. Give us a call today to schedule a design consultation at 478-745-2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

]Stephen Denton Archadeck Augusta square lr

Stephen Denton, owner Archadeck of Central GA.

 

Make 2019 The Year to Improve Your Macon or Warner Robins Backyard!

Out of all the questions homeowners ask us in regards to planning and building an anticipated outdoor living space addition, the most frequently asked is “WHEN is the best time to build?” Many factors can fall into play when answering this question, but in essence, if you are ready to pursue your addition then there is no time like the present to get the ball rolling!

Macon-GA-Screened-Porch

With a New Year in full swing — there is no time like the present!

While there is never really a wrong time to begin your outdoor living space project since we build structures year-round,  there are advantages to beginning your process early in the year, and while cooler weather is in the air!

screen porch-outdoor fireplace-macon Ga lr

Advantage — A good reason to begin your outdoor structure in the late fall and winter months is there may be less wait time to begin construction. Gaining approval through HOA’s and permitting will take less time because there is less backlog early in the season and this can often make the wait-time minimal in most cases. Making the decision to build now will ensure being able to enjoy the benefits of your new structure sooner and in plenty of time for the arrival of the outdoor living season in the months ahead. Keep in mind, when dealing with a quality builder wait times can be longer, especially during the warmer months. Moving ahead early in the year on your project can greatly reduce those wait times.

rustic-shed-roof-screen porch-Macon-GA

Advantage — If you are considering a structure built from wood, a cooler month project timeline will provide many benefits. Wood requires a time period of acclimation and curing. The laws of expansion and contraction always apply when it comes to working with wood. All wood is hygroscopic, meaning that when exposed to air, it will release or pick up moisture until it is level with the humidity and temperature of the air. Humid conditions, such as those in our humid Georgia summers, will cause more rapid expansion and contraction of wood that is not yet sealed for protection against the elements.

Redeck-Macon-Deck-Pressure Treated

A structure built from wood needs to cure for a period of time before the sealer will properly adhere to the wood and promote beneficial protection qualities. By choosing to build during the least humid times of the year, your new wooden deck, porch or other outdoor structure will have ample time to cure in order to properly accept the sealer you choose.

Advantage — Your lawn and landscape will incur less stress by choosing to build during the cooler months of the year — this is because most turf grasses, trees and shrubs are in their dormant period during the winter. During dormancy, these plantings are less likely to experience permanent damage from having to be trimmed or pruned to accommodate the addition of a backyard space. Aside from the landscape, construction during the winter will cause less of an interruption to your family’s day-to-day activities and lifestyle as the kids are in school and most people use their yards less during these months. This means the noises and materials will be less of an annoyance than they would be when you are using the yard a lot during the warmer months.

Milledgeville GA Deck Builder

Advantage — Last but not least, planning a new outdoor living space is a great way to curb the post-holiday blues. With a New Year underway, one way to curb the post-holiday blues is to look beyond the winter doldrums to warmer months ahead.  With this in mind, many Central Georgia homeowners may begin planning for the outdoor living season. These plans may involve a new addition to your landscape or outdoor living space.  Whether your aspirations include adding a new outdoor structure, or improving or adding to an existing structure,  winter is a good time to get the ball rolling before spring arrives.

TimberTech-deck-Macon GA

If you are on the fence about moving forward with a new or improved outdoor living space, now is the perfect time to get your project planned and on the schedule! Contact Archadeck of Central GA today at (478) 745-2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

Stephen Denton Archadeck Augusta square lr
Stephen Denton, owner Archadeck of Central GA.

 

 

Planning a New Outdoor Living Space is A Great Way to Curb The Post Holiday Blues

Planning a New Outdoor Living Space is A Great Way to Curb The Post Holiday BluesThe holiday season is filled with excitement and fun. It is a time when families and friends come together to celebrate and festive decorations change our homes and landscapes.  The days and weeks leading up to the big day are often just as exciting as the day itself.  Once the holiday is over, however, the lack of excitement can leave you feeling down.

As the New Year quickly approaches, one way to curb the post-holiday blues is to look beyond the winter doldrums to warmer months ahead.  With this in mind, many Central Georgia homeowners may begin planning for the outdoor living season. These plans may involve a new addition to your landscape or outdoor living space.  Whether your aspirations include adding a new outdoor structure, or improving or adding to an existing structure,  winter is a good time to get the ball rolling before spring arrives.

Macon Open Porch Barrington Hall lr

Because of our mild Georgia climate, construction can begin as soon as your design is finalized and the contract is signed. In fact, the sooner we can start building, the more enjoyment you will get from your new outdoor living space. Once spring has arrived, the demand will increase and building timelines will become longer, this is why we recommend starting the design and building process with us as soon as possible. Using these winter months perfecting the design of your new space, ordering materials, and filing for permits is a perfect use of time.

Macon GA-sceen porch-metal Balusters

In fact, there are quite a few reasons why winter is the best time to begin a new Macon or Warner Robins-area outdoor living space  project:

  • Our custom deck, porch and outdoor room designs require close collaboration with you. This process can take a few rounds of going back and forth, making adjustments and getting the project just right.

Macon open porch design plan Archadeck

  • Securing building permits can take a long time as we are at the mercy of the building department. Starting this process now, means you don’t have to let the good spring weather pass you by while we are waiting for building permits to come in.

Hot tub-deck-Perry GA-design drawing 750

  • At Archadeck of Central GA, our spring and summer construction schedule fills fast. In fact, spring is our busiest time of year. If you start the process now, you beat the rush and are on the schedule for construction, or your project may even be completed,  when others are just starting their process.

Deck-composite-koi pond-warner robins

Despite the fact that all the pomp and circumstance has ended, all the presents have been opened and loved ones have headed home,  Archadeck of Central GA can ensure the weeks ahead are overflowing with excitement and anticipation.

Stephen Denton Archadeck Augusta square lr
Stephen Denton, owner Archadeck of Central GA.

Contact us today to schedule your design consultation to begin making the 2018 outdoor living season the best on record! Call us today at (478) 745 – 2000 or email us at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

 

 

Will an above ground pool deck have you swimming in debt?

above ground pool-deck-Macon GAAre you enticed by end-of-summer sale prices for above ground pools? Before you dive into purchasing an above ground pool for your family, Archadeck of Central Georgia recommends you consider all of the potential expense, beyond the cost of the pool itself, before making a purchasing decision. This includes the cost of adding an above ground pool deck.

Here in central Georgia we still have some hot weather on the calendar. You still have a few more weeks of swimming pool weather remaining. Plus, if you buy a pool now, you’ll already be set when temperatures heat up again next spring.

Forsyth Ga-deck-above ground poolKeep in mind that you will need to purchase more than just the pool. The cost of installation is usually not included, and that can run as high as $3,000 according to some sources. While filters, ladders and pumps may come with the pool, you will need to purchase cleaning tools, a pool cover, chemicals and maybe even a pool vacuum.

Does your picture of an above ground pool include a pool deck surrounding it?

This is where you may encounter sticker shock. If you want a sturdy, well-built pool deck made of quality materials, it will cost more than the pool itself.  Sometimes an in-ground pool with concrete decking is actually more cost effective than an above ground pool with the same size pressure treated or composite decking. Then again, sometimes an above ground pool is the only option due to the topography of the yard or septic field lines.

fiberglass above ground pool-deck-Macon GA

Building decks is something Archadeck of Central Georgia does well. We love doing it. We love the creative challenge of designing the perfect deck for your home. While a pool deck is no different, people are often surprised to learn how much a good-quality above ground pool deck can cost. So please do that research before you invest in a pool if you feel like an above ground pool isn’t complete without a nice pool deck around it.

Archadeck of Central Georgia only builds sturdy, good-quality decks — and that includes our pool decks. We will not skimp on materials or workmanship because it’s “just a pool deck.” We want the best for your family, as we know you do. We want your family to be safe around the pool, and we want your investment in a pool deck to last for more than a year or two.

Deck-inground pool-Macon GA
Archadeck of Central GA builds many in ground pool decks and poolside outdoor living structures in Macon and the surrounding areas, too!

Search for images of above ground pool decks on the internet, especially on Pinterest, and you may see some amazing structures. Designs for pool decks can be simple and basic, or they can be as elaborate as you desire.

Stephen Denton Archadeck Augusta square lr
Stephen Denton, owner Archadeck of Central GA.

If you are willing to invest in a quality structure, contact us to learn more about adding a pool deck to your above ground pool in Macon, Warner Robins or the surrounding area. You can reach us by phone at (478) 745 – 2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

Our Redecking Project in Stathams Landing Fits This Warner Robins Backyard to a TEE!

Archadeck of Central Georgia designs outdoor living spaces for all types of properties. These include waterfront properties, properties with acreage and properties within neighborhoods, including golf course communities.  Our most recent redecking project takes us to the amazing golf course community of Stathams Landing in Warner Robins.

Completed redecking project in Warner Robins, GA.
Completed redecking project in Warner Robins, GA.

This neighborhood is situated on the public Landings Golf Club, which has an expansive clubhouse, a 27-hole course, and the largest putting green in middle GA. The home where our project took place backs up to the golf course itself.

The homeowners had an existing wooden deck with many boards in bad shape. The style of the deck was also quite dated with built-in seating instead of railing. This was typical of the period in which it was originally built.

Fiberon-deck-Stathams Landing

Our goal was to bring the design of the deck up-to-date, bringing it up to current deck construction codes and open up the view. In addition to modernizing the space, we also utilized low maintenance materials. This will allow the homeowners to focus on enjoying the deck without the constant worry of maintenance.

Archadeck of Central GA was able to keep and use the original deck’s framing on this project. We reworked the beams in order to accommodate for the continued integration of the beautiful trees in the landscape. We removed the bench seating, added wider stairs and added railing to one end according to code.

deck-Watrner Robins-Fiberon

The new decking boards are Fiberon and the railing is Fortress iron panels. We also finished the entire deck to have no wood peeking out with white PVC risers and edge band.

The homeowners are elated with their new and improved backyard deck! The new design opens up the view and makes the space feel larger, airier and an extension of the landscape.  If you are ready to expand the potential of your existing deck, or add a new deck from scratch, contact Archadeck of Central GA today!

Stephen Denton Archadeck Augusta square lr
Stephen Denton, owner Archadeck of Central GA.

Call for a free consultation: (478) 745 – 2000 Email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

 

 

 

Railings Provide Safety, Elegance, Lighting and More To Any Deck Design

AZEK deck with white railing

When designing your outdoor deck and stairs, many homeowners think the railings need to be made with the same material as the deck.  In fact, you have much greater flexibility.  You can mix-and-match materials to create your own style.

There are a number of material options for railings based on cost, maintenance, and future additions.  Materials range from the lesser expensive pressure-treated wood all the way up to the clean, modern look of low maintenance dark aluminum.  Railing end caps may also include lighting for both safety and ambiance.  The end caps can be flat, pyramid, or hidden, adding decoration to the end of the railings.

Many Central Georgia homeowners like the look of wood and choose it often.  Pressure-treated wood can be painted any color, with white being the favorite color or simply left natural.

Fiberon-Fort Valley-GA railing-lightingIt is also common for homeowners to choose to mix and match other materials with wood.  You may want a wood railing but with a composite rail cap to reduce maintenance and tie your railing into your deck.

Choosing a composite railing system allows you to match your composite deck in both texture and color.  A composite railing system is more expensive than wood.  However, the durability and minimum maintenance of composites save you money in future maintenance and save you time and energy in annual maintenance.

Another frequently considered railing option is aluminum.  Aluminum railing systems have a strong, clean feel.  Aluminum is durable, does not rust and has the lowest maintenance cost of all the railing materials.  Aluminum railing is easily made decorative using metal baskets or baroque balusters.

If you want a decorative railing but don’t want the initial expense of all-aluminum, consider a wood or composite railing with baroque aluminum balusters.  Mixing and matching wood or composite railings with dark aluminum baroque balusters makes a very decorative and stylish railing.

A less used material for a railing system is wrought iron.  Wrought iron railing systems have a classic southern charm but homeowners do not choose them often.  Iron rusts and maintenance is always a consideration.  Wrought iron must be painted at the work site.  A painted wrought iron railing system will last only a few years before having to be touched-up or painted again.  The maintenance can be expensive and labor intensive.

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GAWith so many options, it can be difficult to choose a railing system.   We want homeowners to be informed and receive the look and style they want in their rail system.  We also want you to understand the cost of maintenance in the components you select.  Archadeck of Central Georgia is experienced in helping homeowners choose the railing materials right for them.  Homeowners choosing to combine materials find our experience especially helpful.  Attractive railings designed to accent your deck will make it one that stands out from the others.

What you need to know about inspecting your Central GA area deck

A few months ago, a deck collapsed in New Albany IN. It was a terrifying incident and 24 people were badly injured. Fortunately, or unfortunately, it was all caught on tape. A family was gathering outside on a commercial deck for a family picture when the deck fell out from under them. Take a look at this terrifying video.

Last year we wrote a blog about deck safety. In our opinion, there are no deck accidents. There may be accidents waiting to happen due to shoddy construction. But, with solid construction from a licensed and professional builder, you can be ensured that the deck will not fail outside of Acts of God. At Archadeck of Central GA, we are part of a national franchise corporation that sets strict engineering requirements that meet or exceed all local code. We are a licensed builder. We always pull permits for our work and all of our work is inspected fully by local inspectors. We even offer 2 warranties because we are certain that you are getting the highest quality workmanship available. (Read more about our Archadeck of Central GA warranties here)

What if you already have a deck that was either built many years ago or even one that came with your house? There are 4 things to check to see if it’s time for a deck safety inspection.

  1. If you stand on the deck, can you make the deck move side-to-side?
  2. If you stand on the stairs, can you make the stairs move from side-to-side or do the stairs depress when stepping on them?
  3. When you look under the deck, can you see fasteners or just nails? If you see just nails, call us right away!
  4. Take a look at the deck footings. Are the deck supports just standing on top of concrete blocks not buried below grade?”

Even better, ask a knowledgeable licensed deck contractor to come out and inspect your deck. At Archadeck of Central GA, we’re happy to come out and look at your deck to see how many years it has left on it. If it’s in great shape and has many years on it, we’ll tell you that. If your deck is in need of repair or is a severe safety hazard, we will tell you that also.

Take a look at the TV interview we did last year about deck safety.

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GAGive us a ring to schedule your free deck safety inspection.

(478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net
http://central-georgia.archadeck.com

Do you have that structural pillar that keeps the roof up but brings you down?

Fort Valley GA-deck-steel beamSometimes we look at particular architectural features of a space and wonder just what the designer/architect/builder was thinking. If you’ve ever had a great space with a structural beam stuck right smack dab in the middle of it, you know what we’re talking about. When these Fort Valley GA homeowners originally called us, they had an existing elevated second-story deck. The space under a deck over 8 feet off the ground can potentially become a covered patio. But in their case, their existing structure had a large column standing in the middle of the space. In addition, their deck which was made of pressure-treated wood was in really bad shape.

Archadeck deck beam construction Central GAWe were able to come up with a design plan that utilized the existing structure and accomplished all of their goals. The existing deck was 24′ wide which is why it needed more structural support than standard corner posts could provide. This can be accomplished in one of two ways. The first option is a center support column. This was the direction their builder originally took causing there to be an eyesore in the middle of their patio below. But, the innovative engineering option that Archadeck of Central GA designed had a long steel beam under the deck portion. Archadeck is part of a national franchise organization and employs an engineering/design team that is second to none. Our engineers created a solution utilizing a steel beam to support the wide deck.

In addition to the deck being wide, these homeowners also wanted AZEK on their new deck. We were able to resurface the existing structural components with their choice of AZEK PVC. The steel beam support was also engineered to support the increased weight of the new synthetic decking material which is a good bit heavier than pressure-treated wood.

Fiberon-Fort Valley-GA railing-lightingThe next challenge was aesthetics. The deck resurfacing with AZEK was stunning. But, from below, we didn’t want the steel support beam to be an eyesore. To accomplish this, we wrapped all the beams in low maintenance PVC. This included white PVC on the posts/columns and the trim board. The white color created a beautiful contrast to the dark decking material and dark colored railing spindles. The homeowners had done their research and knew that they wanted a lighting package that would encompass lights both on the posts and integrated into the rail caps. The picture to the right shows the Fiberon lighting package and railing we used on this Fort Valley deck.

One of the things you’ll notice through reading this blog is that our proposed solution is not the one that’s designed to cost the most money. While we could have recommended demolishing this deck and starting from scratch, we were able to re-engineer the fully functional existing structural parts. Our goal is to create the best solution for you, your family, and for how you want to live.

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GAIf you are considering creating a great new outdoor living space for your Macon/Warner Robins area back yard, or if you want to give a fresh new look to your existing backyard space, give us a call for a free consultation. Together we will work to identify the best structures and materials to create the perfect outdoor living space just for you.

Call: (478) 745 – 2000
Email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net
Visit the composite and PVC deck picture and photo gallery on our website for more great design ideas and inspiration

Avoid the hurry up and wait mentality when it comes to bringing your outdoor living space dreams to life this Spring with Archadeck of Central GA

North Macon covered porch builder
Are you dreaming of a covered porch or spa deck for the spring?

Lots of things in life come with a “hurry up and wait mentality”, but designing and building your outdoor structure should not be one of them. Here at Archadeck of Central Georgia, we cannot stress the importance of not waiting until the arrival of spring to think about planning and building your anticipated outdoor space. This is especially important if you want  to enjoy your space in time for the outdoor living season ahead. Homeowners often ask us when is the optimum time to plan on having us build their outdoor structure? the answer is, there is never really a wrong time to begin your outdoor living space project, but there are advantages to building during the winter months.

pool side deck and pergola-macon GA
Pool side deck and pergola in Macon, GA.

Unlike being at the fever pitch of the outdoor living season, when the climate and timing is more conducive to utilize your space, winter construction has a shorter wait time. Gaining approval through HOA’s and permitting will take less time. The backlog for materials and labor is also smaller which makes the wait-time minimal in most cases. Making the decision to build now will ensure being able to enjoy the benefits of your new structure sooner and in plenty of time for warm weather. Keep in mind, when dealing with a quality builder wait times can be longer, especially during the busy Spring season. Deciding to begin your project now can reduce those wait times by half or more.

In some cases building your structure in the colder months can save you money too. You may see a decrease in the price of materials during the winter, a good example of this is lumber which is generally less during the winter because of supply and demand. In addition, if you intend to finance your new outdoor structure, the interest rates are extremely low right now. Our current standing in the economy can mean a lower payment each month on your new structure. Lower interest rates can save you a tremendous amount of money in the long run.

Choosing to build now will  also impact your lawn, landscape and lifestyle less than if you chose to build during the spring and summer months. Wet turf damages more easily, as does turf that is under heat stress from temperatures and higher humidity. Building in the colder season will ensure you avoid both of these obstacles. It is also important to note that along with perennial grasses, most shrubs and plants are in their dormant stages during the fall and winter. During dormancy, these plantings are less likely to experience damage from having to be trimmed, pruned or altered to accommodate the addition of a backyard space. Construction during the winter, when plants are in dormancy, will cause less of an interruption in your life since most people use their yards less during these months. This means the noises and materials will be less of an annoyance than they would be when you are using the yard a lot during the spring and summer months. Out of sight means out of mind.

Design rendering for Rivoli Rd sunroom and deck
We prepare a detailed design rendering as part of our design process.

When considering getting your outdoor structure project underway, timing can make a huge difference in the outcome. Our timeline on starting new construction has a quicker turn-around time during the winter than many would think.

From the time Archadeck of Central GA initially schedules your consultation you can expect to wait only one week to meet with us in person to discuss your ideas, and another week to put together your proposal. Once we have agreed upon your design, the backlog to break ground is about two weeks right now. The backlog will begin to grow the closer we get to spring. If you want your outdoor structure completed in April for example, it is imperative to start planning your project in January or February to ensure that goal is reached. These estimates are based on the type of outdoor structure you have in mind as well, as decks take approximately two weeks to complete, and porches can take up to four weeks.

Pressure treated deck Central GA
Have your outdoor space up and running in time to enjoy the first signs of spring!

Keep in mind that we can also build your outdoor structure combination in stages. With this in mind, winter is the perfect time to start the first stage of your desired outdoor living project. If you are considering a deck and patio combination for example, you can take advantage of our staged building option and begin your deck this winter, then we can add the patio during the spring or summer. With our staged building program the choice is yours. Contact Archadeck of Central GA today to learn more.(478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA

Take a look at more inspiring outdoor living spaces sure to give you spring fever by visiting our decks, porches and outdoor room photo galleries located on our website!

 

Buyer Beware: Archadeck of Central GA warns homeowners to be wary of the contractor who gives you a quote on the spot, and here is why…

Porch - Westchester - Macon GA
Part of choosing the right builder for your outdoor space is knowing the builder has your best interests in mind.

You have probably often heard the phrases “the early bird gets the worm”, or “Johnny on the spot”  in regard to being eager and motivated and getting things accomplished. While being the early bird is a plus in many aspects, being too eager and not factoring in important details can mean that being first in line can pan out last.  As an outdoor living space builder I get asked all the time during the first meeting to guess a ballpark figure of how much a project will cost. One of the worst things I can do is throw out a number. Here’s why.

Archadeck of Central Georgia does all of our pricing through a computer and innovative software that dictates price through pricing models. These pricing models take into account the width, depth, height off the ground, shape and various material needs in each project we do. It is a very sophisticated, yet accurate process, and I am constantly amazed at how bad my guesses are once I have compared them with the computer results. I have been designing and building outdoor structures since 1999, and even with my background and experience I guess too high on one out of three quotes, too low on one out of three and in the ballpark ( but not a home run), with one in three! With this in mind, the worst thing I can do is guess at a price or set a homeowner’s expectation on something I cannot deliver.

In our last story, we discussed how a design can dictate the price. The real question that needs to be addressed prior to throwing out any numbers is how much you want to spend on a project. Archadeck of Central GA ask three important  questions prior to giving any quote to ensure the customer gets the space they want at the price they can afford.

Before you go to any car lot, you know if you are looking for a Chevy or a Lexus. Before you go shop for homes, you know whether you are looking for houses priced at $250,000 or 500,000 just to name a couple examples. You don’t expect the Lexus dealer to give you a Chevy but you do need to know the range of investment and the level of quality you are seeking.

The three questions that any quality, experienced builder should ask their customer are:

#1) What do you want the project to look like?

#2) What function do you want to project to deliver?

#3) What is your economic investment? This ensures we can stay within the price range of what the homeowner is looking for.

North Macon GA Cypress covered porches
Deciding which primary aesthetics and function(s) you want in your intended outdoor space is just as important as knowing your budget.

In retrospect, if I am not able to get a homeowner to provide me with the answers to these three crucial questions, I typically do not get the work. It is however, not uncommon that there has to be some give and take on at least one of these areas. Archadeck of Central GA has built projects that are $4,000 and also projects in excess of $70,000, so we expect some grey areas.  The purpose of getting a customer to answer these questions is important because it gets clients to think about their situation which helps them determine how much money they are willing to budget for a their project because that is the question I cannot answer for them.

Archadeck of Central GA knows that the success of your project relies on the customer and builder working together towards a common goal.
Archadeck of Central GA knows that the success of your project relies on the customer and builder working together towards a common goal.

When you are comparing prices from one project to the next, unless you have written specifications and a drawing, or rendering, as well as methodology of the intended construction, then it is hard to only compare price. In the commercial world of building and design, architects design to certain specifications. These specifications are sent out to those bidding on the jobs and each contractor involved has to compile and deliver a quote based on the same specifications. This method ensures the purchaser knows that they comparing apples to apples and can make a well-informed decision based on the price supplied by those quoting the project. In residential outdoor design, the homeowner rarely if ever hires an architect. Therefore the customer and builder must work together towards a common goal and the builder must have ways to articulate exactly what their project includes.

Before you decide to go with the contractor who is the quickest to quote your project,take heed and proceed with caution because the ultimate success and happiness of your outdoor living space project is all about communication and details- something the “Johnny on the spot” builder is not prepared to deliver.

Remember that no two outdoor living spaces are created equal. Having an outdoor structure specialist designing your space can actually help keep the prices lower enabling a more suitable design for your individual needs. If you are ready to learn more about how we can enhance your outdoor living experience and stay within your budget, contact Archadeck of Central GA today(478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GAYou can see more examples of our versatile, high quality outdoor living spaces by visiting our decks photo gallery and our porches photo gallery located on our website.