If you’ve been considering building a new deck, fall may be a good time to start talking with contractors.
Summer is often the busiest season for deck builders. As temperatures rise, homeowners begin scheduling decks, porches, repairs, and other outdoor projects. By late summer, many contractors have already filled much of their calendars.
Fall can sometimes change the picture.
Although experienced contractors may remain busy well into the season, some may have more flexibility in their schedules as summer projects wrap up. If your timeline is flexible and the weather cooperates, building a deck in the fall may be worth considering.
Why Might Deck Contractors Have Better Availability in the Fall?
Contractor availability depends on several factors, including location, weather, local demand, and the contractor’s current workload.
During the height of summer, deck builders may have weeks or months of projects already scheduled. As the season progresses, however, fewer homeowners may begin new outdoor projects in some areas. That can occasionally create openings in a contractor’s calendar.
A contractor who was fully booked in July, for example, may have availability in September or October. Openings can also develop when another project is delayed, rescheduled, or completed earlier than expected.
Of course, there are no guarantees. The most experienced contractors may stay busy throughout the fall.
Still, if you’re planning a deck, it’s worth making a few calls and asking about availability. You may find an opening sooner than you expected.
Fall Weather Can Be More Comfortable for Deck Construction
Cooler weather is another reason fall can work well for outdoor construction.
Building a deck involves plenty of physical work. Crews carry lumber, construct framing, install decking, and build stairs and railings while spending long hours outside.
Working in extreme summer heat and humidity can make an already demanding job even more difficult. Cooler fall temperatures may provide more comfortable conditions, particularly in areas where summers are especially hot.
Of course, fall weather isn’t always predictable. Rain, early snow, freezing temperatures, and shorter daylight hours can affect a construction schedule.
Your local climate ultimately makes a big difference. Homeowners in areas with long, mild falls may have a generous construction window, while colder regions may need to start projects earlier in the season.
Fall Gives You Time to Plan the Details
Planning a deck involves more than choosing boards and deciding where to build.
Before construction begins, you’ll need to consider details such as:
- Deck size and layout
- Stairs and entry points
- Decking material
- Railing
- Framing
- Fasteners
- Board width and profile
- Lighting
- Finishing and maintenance
Starting the process before construction begins gives you time to think through these decisions with your contractor.
The decking material alone can take some consideration. Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, and Garapa each have different appearances and characteristics. Composite and PVC decking offer additional options with their own benefits and maintenance requirements.
There’s no reason to rush one of the bigger decisions you’ll make for your home. Taking the time to choose the right design and materials before construction begins can make the entire project run more smoothly.
Plan Ahead When Ordering Decking Materials
Planning early can be particularly important when you’re choosing premium decking.
Your contractor may recommend a specific species, board size, profile, or length that isn’t readily available from every local supplier. Depending on the material, ordering and delivery times can also vary.
Hardwood decking such as Ipe and Cumaru may also have different installation requirements than composite, PVC, or softer wood decking. Your contractor should understand the requirements of the material you choose and follow the appropriate installation recommendations.
Selecting your decking early gives you time to coordinate material delivery with the construction schedule.
Ideally, the materials should be available when the crew is ready to install them. Ordering at the last minute can create unnecessary delays and potentially affect the rest of the project.
You May Still Have Time to Enjoy Your New Deck
Depending on your location and when construction begins, you may still have plenty of time to enjoy a deck completed in the fall.
Early fall can offer some of the best weather for outdoor living. The intense heat of summer may begin to fade, while temperatures remain comfortable enough to spend time outside.
You can still have friends over, enjoy dinner outdoors, or simply relax outside in the evening.
And even if the project finishes later in the fall, completing the deck before winter means it may be ready to enjoy when spring arrives.
Fall Isn’t the Best Time for Every Deck Project
Fall can be an excellent time to build a deck, but it isn’t the right choice for every project.
The biggest consideration is the weather in your area.
Rain, freezing temperatures, snow, and shorter daylight hours can all affect construction. Certain decking products, finishes, and adhesives may also have specific temperature or moisture requirements.
Your contractor should follow the installation instructions for the products being used rather than relying solely on the calendar.
It’s also important to remember that an opening in a contractor’s schedule doesn’t necessarily mean business has slowed down. Another project may have simply moved or finished ahead of schedule.
Should You Build a Deck in the Fall?
Fall can be a good time to build a deck if your contractor has availability and local weather conditions allow construction to continue.
You may have more flexibility when scheduling your project than you would during the busiest part of summer. You’ll also have time to work through important decisions about the deck’s design, materials, and installation.
The key is to start planning early enough.
Contact qualified contractors and ask about their fall schedules. Discuss how weather conditions could affect your timeline, and select your major materials before construction begins.
Fall may not be the traditional start of deck-building season, but that doesn’t mean you automatically have to wait until spring. If the weather cooperates and the right contractor has room in the schedule, it may be an excellent time to get started.
Ready to Start Planning Your Deck?
Visit AdvantageLumber.com to explore decking materials and find the right fit for your project.