You have already made a plan to build a deck in a few months but you’re worried about how you will be able to pay for it. Since you have planned the deck in advance it will be easy for you to budget your new decking plan with precision. There are many factors that go into building a deck and the only way to make sure you don’t break the bank is to plan it out diligently.
There is a process to budgeting a project as big as erecting a deck and it requires constant organization and exact bookkeeping. Not only will this method help you keep track of every penny you spend but when tax season rolls around you might find that you’re able to write off some of your expense.
Materials
The first part of your budget and probably the most expensive part will be building materials. The wood or composite will be your largest expense by far so make sure you have a detailed deck plan so you know exactly how much wood you will need to complete the deck with stairs and a railing if its needed. You can budget for these materials by gathering them piecemeal, getting planks or screws as they become available.
Write down all of the materials you need from the screws up to the wood and accessories. Then write down how much you anticipate spending as well as how much you actually spend. These columns combined will let you know where to pull back and where you can splurge a bit.
Tools
Perhaps the next largest expense will be tools. Unless you already have a garage full of power tools you will need them to complete different aspects of the deck. Those of you who own tools already will find this a minimal expense, but for those with a bare tool chest you will have to budget appropriately.
Look at the cost of renting tools per hour and then multiply that number by the number of hours you anticipate needing each tool. Compare that cost to the cost of purchasing the tools flat out and see where you come out better.
Extras
One thing that we rarely anticipate when budgeting our deck is the cost of extras such as lighting, furniture, benches and planter boxes. These accessories don’t necessarily cost a lot but they can easily add a few extra hundred bucks to style the newly erected deck.
You can create a separate spreadsheet for these items but you can also take your time and search online for the best deals on the accessories you need. These aren’t necessities so you can buy them when you find the best price.
Labor
Even when you decide to make your deck a DIY project you will still have to provide some type of compensation for the friends you’ve tasked with helping you out. Of course that usually means copious amounts of takeout food, beer, soda and chips. It is nowhere near as much as you’d pay laborers but if it takes you two weekends to complete the project you will be providing eight or more meals for several adults.
Budgeting your new deck does not have to be an overwhelming task as long as you document every cost as it arises.