Deck and Porch Builders in San Francisco, CA

San Francisco Deck Installation

For homeowners in San Francisco, deck installation is a project that can pay off in a big way. Not only can it increase your property value, but the Bay Area's relatively mild weather for most of the year makes owning a deck something that can be appreciated far more often than in some other parts of the country. There are, however, several things to consider when planning a San Francisco deck installation that will make a successful project. If you are thinking of adding a deck to your Bay Area home, here are a few things to think about before you begin your project.

Planning and Design
For many homes in San Francisco, deck installation can be a little difficult due to building codes and limited space. You can, of course, go browsing through magazines and websites looking for the perfect deck, but because of these constraints, you may not be able to find a picture that is both what you want and feasible, too. If you plan to build a deck in San Francisco, your best bet is to do all of the browsing you want while paying close attention to the different features that make the decks you like appealing. Once you have a good idea of everything you want your deck to be, then you can take your ideas to one of your local San Francisco deck builders and discuss how you can get it. In some cases, you won't be able to have all of the bells and whistles you see in magazines, but a good contractor will be able to help you make the necessary compromises (if any) to your vision.

Materials
Bay Area homeowners don't have to worry too much about sub-zero temperatures (or blistering sun, for that matter), but the moisture rich environment in San Francisco can put a damper on some materials. A properly treated and regularly maintained wood deck can certainly hold its own in the Bay Area, but other options like plastic or composite lumber and tropical hardwood are each worth considering. In addition to the low-maintenance requirements and long life expectancies of these materials, some homeowners with small children might even opt for an alternative deck material to protect their kids (or even themselves) from splinters.

Deck Sealing
If you do go with a conventional wood deck, the maintenance you put into it will have a direct effect on how long it lasts and how good it looks throughout its lifetime. Due to the moist conditions in San Francisco, deck sealing is probably going to need to be done more frequently than may be necessary in drier areas of the country. A properly sealed deck is going to handle rain, dew, and any other type of moisture far better than an unsealed surface, preventing or postponing the warping, cracking, and aging of your wood. Since prices for San Francisco deck sealing are relatively low, there is really no excuse to skimp on or skip this task.

Hiring a Deck Builder
While building a deck might be the archetypical project for do-it-yourselfers, there are a few good reasons to hire a pro in San Francisco. Deck builders are well versed in the codes and requirements of their areas, but that's not the only benefit of hiring one. Professional contractors can get the job done much faster, much safer, and with better results because they bring knowledge with them to the job site (along with professional equipment). Hiring a pro means that you'll have experience on your side; no matter how much research you do on your own, when it comes to knowing what holds up best and what materials are well worth the price, there is no better resource than a local contractor!

If you plan on installing a specialty deck made of tropical hardwood, composite lumber, or plastic lumber, you should definitely look to hire a specialty deck builder. San Francisco is full of competent deck building companies, but not all of them will be familiar with such materials or the installation techniques they require.

Installation Prices
Nationally, we estimate that $7,500 is about the average for deck installation. San Francisco homeowners are, unfortunately, likely to pay a bit more for this project. With Bay Area deck building prices going as high as $15,000 or $20,000 for the most involved projects, take particular care when interviewing contractors and getting estimates if you want a great deck at a good price. When dealing with specialty deck installation, San Francisco homeowners should be aware that their project will probably fall near the higher end of the cost spectrum. While this larger initial investment might be off-putting, hardier materials tend to make up their high-end costs over time through reduced maintenance requirements and longer life spans.