Deck and Screen Porch Construction Adds Value To Your Home

Building a Deck Can Be Your Best Home Investment

Reluctant to make any exterior home improvements in this less-than-stable housing market? Don’t be. Even a poor economy can’t disprove the fact that adding a wood deck to your home offers over a 70 percent return on your investment, according to Remodeling Magazine's Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report for 2011-2012. Building a deck is still one of the most worthwhile home improvement projects.

Why is building a deck better than upgrading your master bath or remodeling your basement? Adding a deck to your home is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase your living area. According to the National Association of Home Builders, the national average for new construction costs of a two-story, 2,000-square-foot home is about $85 per square foot. The construction costs for a wood deck are less than $35 per square foot.

Thrift-conscious consumers should find a deck appealing, as they are the demographic looking to save money by spending more time at home, according to Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman, deputy home editor at Consumer Reports. These cost-conscious folks want a new way to enjoy the outdoors while adding value to their property.

Other outlets rank deck building positively as well. U.S. News and World Report claims building a wood deck is among the five best home improvement projects for your money. And Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List, says, “These days the latest trend is all about outdoor living. Decks are a great investment if you’re looking to add some exterior space to your living area.”

Hicks goes on to say that investing in quality is one of the most important elements of opting for this exterior home improvement. “When it comes to building a deck it all comes down to how well it’s installed. We all too often hear stories of a deck being improperly installed and potentially collapsing. You want to have someone who knows what they are doing.” Plus, a good, reliable, knowledgeable contractor will work with you to keep costs under control, making your new deck a completely worthwhile investment on all fronts.

Design Builders, Inc.

8315 North Brook Ln. #205Bethesda, MD 20814

(301)875-2781

http://www.DesignBuildersMD.com Decks in Maryland by Design Builders Inc.

Understanding the Deck Building Process

Understanding the Deck Building Process

There are several steps in the Design Builder’s building process – we pride ourselves on being thorough and carefully monitor each of our projects to ensure top-quality work and craftsmanship. Here’s a breakdown of how you can expect your renovation to go from start to finish:

• It’s in the details – You already have the 3D color renderings of the proposed design per the Design Builders Deck design process, but now we take two to three weeks to create a detailed plan of the project.

• Getting the green light – After the detailed plans have been completed, we have a review meeting with our client and receive your sign-off to move forward with building.

• Abiding by the law – We take care of all necessary building permits for your project according to your county’s regulations – this can take one to two weeks.

• Logistics – We hold a pre-construction meeting to discuss the logistics of the project such as where to park on your property, where to store materials and equipment, and so on.

• Getting the goods – We aim to prevent delays at all costs. All of the building materials arrive and are inventoried on Day 1 of your building project.

• Breaking ground – As your project commences, we conduct excavation for footings and foundation.

• Staying on top of things – If you wish, a weekly meeting can be arranged with your project manager so you can be informed about every detail of your building project.

• Taking a closer look – Inspections are crucial. We conduct them for everything including footing, framing, roof close-in, rough-in electrical, and final building and final electrical inspections.

• Wrapping up – Once building has been completed, we conduct a project walk-through and compile a punch list. Once this to-do list has been checked off, there is project clean-up and your project warranty officially begins.

• Enjoy! – Now it’s time for you to sit back and relax in your beautiful new living space.

• Checking in – Once a client, always a client – the final component of our building process includes a one-year check-up to make sure you’re satisfied.

At Design Builders, we’re meticulous, but we’re also efficient. It is our goal to provide you with the building project that you envision for your home in a timely manner. Read and watch what some of our clients have had to say about their experience with our firm.

Design Builders, Inc.

8315 North Brook Ln. #205Bethesda, MD 20814

(301)875-2781

http://www.DesignBuildersMD.com Decks in Maryland by Design Builders Inc.

Deck Styles in Maryland and Virginia

Outside-of-the-Box Building

Too hip to be square? Good news – you don’t have to go traditionally square with your deck or screened room. In fact, you can get downright musical with your outdoor living space if that’s your taste. Just take a look at this piano deck we created:



Smooth, curved decking can make you feel like you and your outdoor living space are even more in line (no pun intended) with nature. We use a variety of deck materials that feature curves, which means you can have the style and color of decking that you want without being forced into a straight-line deck shape. The only limit is your (and our) imagination.

Creativity comes from above as well, in the form of screen porch roofs. The shapes and sizes of the roof on your outdoor living space can vary considerably. Your roof choice can be influenced by the design of your house roof, whether or not you want skylights or fans, and, simply enough, your personal taste. Choose from an A-frame gable roof, a lean-to shed roof, a hip roof (with or without gable build-up), or a hexagon or octagon roof, illustrated in the photos below:



Finally, special trim and railing details truly put a lid on your outside-of-the-box thinking, making your one-of-a-kind deck that much more unique and true to your character and style of living. We welcome your creative ideas!

Design Builders, Inc.

8315 North Brook Ln. #205Bethesda, MD 20814

(301)875-2781

http://www.DesignBuildersMD.com Decks in Maryland by Design Builders Inc.