The Best Time of Year to Start the Deck Building Process

When Pennsylvania homeowners are looking to build a new deck for their home, one of the questions they’ll have is when the best time of the year is to start building. Depending on the size, details, and features of your new deck, the deck building process with Decks R Us can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to complete. For a deck, there are benefits and drawbacks to building during every season. Below, we’ve detailed building throughout the year to help you determine which season is the best time to start the deck building process. 

Spring 

Spring is ideal for construction, as the weather is warmer and the ground is thawed out from winter. If you get your designs and materials squared away in the winter, we think spring is a good time to start building so the deck is ready for summer parties. Lumber mills start producing more deck materials, so there will be a better selection for your design. One thing to watch out for is that Pennsylvania can get a lot of rain in the spring, which can cause construction delays. 

Book in Advance

Late spring, like April and May, gives the best building weather, but there is often high demand for contractors. Since it’s a busy time, there could be a backlog for building departments to give out permits as well. Make sure you book your contractor and apply for permits months in advance so you’re guaranteed to get your project finished in time for summer.

Summer 

Summer is often the busiest season, but it offers the most daylight to make construction go quicker, and you can use the deck as soon as it’s complete. It’s a dry season, so there won’t be as many weather delays. However, it can be hotter, which can be uncomfortable to work in. Prices are often at their highest during this time, and municipalities will be backed up with getting permits, which can take up to a month in the summer. If you’re using wood materials in your deck, they can expand due to humidity and cause spacing issues in the deck. If you want to use your deck right away, we recommend building in the summer, but if you want more affordable prices and focused labor, we recommend the spring or fall. 

Fall 

Fall is one of the best times to build a new deck, but many homeowners overlook this season. There’s good, cool weather that’s more predictable than the other seasons. The ground will be dried out from the summer, making excavation easier. It’s also the off-season for most contractors, and we’ll be less busy and have fewer clients, allowing us to focus more on your project. Building in the fall is ideal, especially if you want the deck to be ready for spring and summer use the following year. 

Drawbacks in Fall 

A minor setback is that fall will have shorter days with less sunlight, so it may take a little longer to complete. Fall can also bring heavy rain, which can cause delays, but this can happen during any season. 

Winter

In Pennsylvania, we often get snow during the winter. However, our team continues to build decks throughout the winter, even if it snows. While winter weather may delay a project slightly, we will shovel the snow out of the way if needed and continue to build. If you want your deck ready for the spring, we recommend starting construction in the fall or winter. Aside from construction being slightly slower due to cold and snowy weather, winter is a good time to build a deck in Pennsylvania. If you’d prefer not to build in the winter, this season is a great time to plan your design and get in contact with a contractor like Decks R Us, obtain permits, and purchase materials. 

Build a Deck with Decks R Us

All in all, we think that spring or fall is the best time of the year to start building your deck. If you’re looking for a deck contractor, Decks R Us is the ideal choice. We can build custom decks that meet all your requirements with our premium craftsmanship. Check out some of our inspiring projects to see what we can do for you. If you have an idea for your deck, use our deck cost calculator to get a free estimate for your project. We’ll work with you every step of the way, and even help you obtain permits. Contact us today if you’re ready to get started.