In warmer, drier climates like we have in Dallas, a new deck is truly a way to increase living space for your home. Whether you're a native Texan with a passion for BBQ or simply a big fan of Big D's outdoor weather, your backyard deck is a great first step for creating a relaxing oasis for your home.

Dallas Deck Builders
While most Dallas deck builders can build your deck to almost any specification you require, it's good to know what sort of deck you're interested in having built before hand. Natural wood makes for a beautiful deck, but can be difficult to maintain. Composite decking may not have the same traditional beauty, but is more functional and long-lasting. You probably need to ask yourself both what you want and where you'll be in ten years.

Composite decking, for example, is great when it comes time to sell your home. Potential home buyers are going to jump at a long-lasting, low maintenance backyard deck. On the other hand, they may see a wood deck and immediately cringe at the annual or biannual resealing project they'll have on their hands.

If, though, you plan on staying in your current home indefinitely, don't mind small spring projects, and want a deck you can be truly proud of, a wood deck can't be beat. If you want the beauty of real wood, you can always hire a professional for a couple hundred dollars to reseal your deck for you.

Cost to Install a Deck in Dallas
Each day, ServiceMagic tracks every last project we process. We compile the information we gather to give a better idea of what to expect from the nuts-and-bolts of your project. The national average for a deck building project is about $7,500. We rarely see deck installations in Dallas go over this mark. The average Dallas deck project runs closer to $5,000. Of course, depending on what you want, you can still spend over $10,000 on a new deck, but the project would most likely cost a few extra thousand dollars somewhere else.

Project Length to Install a Deck in Dallas
Most decks should take about a week or two to install. This can be influenced, naturally, by your deck design, the weather, and other construction factors. The Dallas deck builder you choose may also have a backlog of work before he or she can make it your project. If at all possible, you should wait for the contractor you truly want. An extra week or two will definitely be worth it if you get the deck you want for the price you want. If your own schedule is reasonably flexible, you should also try to be there during the construction. You'll be able to see how the deck is built and gather useful information that may help with maintenance down the line. Being there is also great for simple peace-of-mind.

Choosing a Dallas Deck Builder
While your initial concerns may be cost and project length, once you get into your deck building project, clearly communicating with Dallas deck building contractor needs to take a front seat. Most of the complaints we hear are about discrepancies in the work that was expected for the estimate. One Texas homeowner thought the deck stain was going to be included in the project and it wasn't. This doesn't mean the contractor was dishonest or unreliable. Some homeowners elect to do the staining themselves to save on the cost of installing a deck. Be sure that you and your Dallas deck builder are on the same page before any construction begins.