If you love decks and want to build one, then why not go for a multi-level option? It’s way more fun, the design is awesome, and they’re much more practical. However, they are usually not DIY-friendly so you will need to hire a deck builder for the job. If you don’t know where to start, here are the 10 things you should keep in mind when building a multi-level deck.

Multi-Level Deck Building Tips

Have A Vision

When building a multi-level deck, you want to keep one thing in mind and that is a vision of the deck you’re trying to build. This is important because it is the vision that you want to bring to life. This is going to make everything so much easier and quicker. If you have a certain design in mind, then you want to go for visualizing it in your noggin. This will also ensure that you get done with everything in the way you want.

If you don’t have a vision in your mind about what style of deck you want, then it can be really hard to communicate with the contractor about what you want to get done. This is going to be hard for everyone to execute. So, always having a vision and an idea of what you want will get you places and you will love every part of the deck, once it’s done.

So, if you want, you can have someone design the deck for you, or there are also deck designing tools available that you can use to your advantage.

Connected Or Freestanding Deck?

Multi-level decks are mainly of two types. You have the connected decks in which each level of the decks is connected, either by stairs or something else. Then, you have the freestanding decks that are multiple levels and they look like floating decks.

Also, beam selection is crucial in deck building. There’s the flush beam that is used for decks that are on the ground, and then there are drop beams that can give you more design control if you have enough space for them to be sandwiched between the ground and the deck frame. These are important decisions that you need to make beforehand.

The Materials Used

The next thing to go over is the material selection. The materials you use for the decks will not only aid in appearance, but they will also ensure the durability of the deck. So, you want to go for weather-friendly materials that are long-lasting and durable.

Plus, you can go for wood including cedar, hardwood, etc., and if you want, you can also go for composite and hybrid materials to get the best of both worlds.

Get A Trustworthy Contractor

When you’re thinking about building a deck, you also want to go for a person who is perfect for the job. This is where finding the right contractor comes in and this is crucial because the people you hire for making the multi-level deck will ensure that you get the deck of your dreams.

So, it’s always better to do some research beforehand and look at their work for proof. Also, they need to be professional and legit because you can’t hand over a project of building a deck to someone who is not knowledgeable about these things.

Check Previous Work

Tying in with the previous example, you need to ensure that you’re looking at the previous work of the contractor too. This is important because you want to get a glimpse of their work and how they’re doing it.

There are a lot of client work catalogs that contractors have or if you are lucky you can spot someone working on a deck near you and you can get the contractor details from there. It is a really simple process and you can get the best results in the end. This is going to lead to a deck that you will love for years to come.

Set A Budget

This is also something that you need to think about, before building a deck and that is the budget. Building a multi-level deck can be a bit more expensive than a regular deck because you’re getting more than one deck built and they’re all going to be strategic. So, you want to allocate a budget to this project.

Scan the prices various builders are offering and then personalize your budget according to your needs. Understand deck building costs will ensure that you don’t stray off course and things don’t get too expensive.

Keep Practicality In Mind

Why do you want a multi-level deck? You’ve probably seen it somewhere or is it something that’s been on your mind for quite a while now? Well, whatever the reason may be, you want to think about the usage of the deck and whether you will put it to use or not. If you don’t need a deck, then why are you building it?

Also, do you need one deck or is a multi-level deck the only option to go for? These are really important things that you need to ask yourself because sometimes, decks aren’t the most practical in every case and you want to see where you lie in the spectrum.

Are You Permitted To Build A Deck?

The next thing you want to do before you even build the multi-level deck you want is to check whether you are even allowed to build one or not. This is important if you don’t want to get caught in the wrath of a lawsuit.

So, ask your local building authorities whether you’re in the clear about building a multi-level deck, and if they give you the green light, then you’re good to go and you can go forward with the building process of your new deck.

Get Opinions

This is also good to do if you’re indecisive and can’t decide how many decks you want to go for in a multi-level arrangement. This is something that a lot of people go through and they will mostly recommend that you go for no more than two or three decks.

That is more than enough and you can get the best look for your house. So, asking around for opinions won’t hurt and you can get a better deck in the end, if you ask professionals for their opinions and they aren’t usually wrong, so you’re good to go.

DIY Or Professional?

Speaking of professionals, decks are very easy to build, design, and install and people can even DIY it at some point. But what about a multi-level deck?

Well, if you’re confident and know your way around deck work, then you can do it. But if you’re someone who’s trying out building a deck for the first time and you don’t even know anything about a single deck, let alone a multi-level deck, then you should get a professional to do the work for you. It’ll be easier and better.

Conclusion

Multi-level decks are one of a kind and they can completely change the appearance of your home and backyard. If you’re considering building any type of deck or want to know more before deciding, consult deck contractors Port Jefferson.