You are probably thinking about that outdoor space you want. A place to cook outside, to relax, or to just enjoy our nice East Tennessee evenings. A new deck can change your home a lot. But I have seen many people in Seymour start a deck project without thinking it all through. This ends up costing them more than just money.
Valley Deck Inc has been building decks here for a while. We work from Bays Mountain to near the Seymour Community Center. We know the local weather, the soil, and what works well. We also know what does not work well. So, we should talk about some of the big mistakes homeowners make when they plan or hire for a deck build. We can help you avoid these mistakes.
Ignoring Permits and Local Codes
This is often the biggest mistake. It is a very important one. I understand that permits can seem like a lot of trouble. But they are there for a reason. That reason is safety. Skipping building permits or not following local codes can lead to fines. It can also cause delays. Sometimes, you might even have to tear down your new deck. No one wants that to happen.
In Tennessee, you will almost always need a permit for a deck. This is true if the deck is more than 30 inches above the ground. It is also true if it is larger than 200 square feet. And it is true if it is attached to your home. Even if it is a smaller, freestanding deck, it is always best to check with your local building department. The rules can be different if you are in Knox County or Sevier County. So, do not assume they are the same. A good contractor will handle the permit process for you. But if someone tells you a permit is not needed when it clearly is, that is a very bad sign.
Skimping on the Foundation (Footings!)
A deck is only as strong as what is underneath it. That means your footings are very important. I cannot say this enough. Seymour has some interesting soil. We have Townley and Dewey silt loams. These can be prone to erosion and uneven settlement. This is especially true on our sloped lots. If your footings are not dug deep enough or not done properly, you are looking at a wobbly deck. That deck will not be safe later on.
Footings must be below the local frost line. This prevents frost heave. Frost heave is when freezing soil pushes your footings up. This causes damage to the whole deck structure. In East Tennessee, this usually means at least 12 inches deep. But often we are digging 18-24 inches to get to stable, undisturbed clay. If a contractor is not talking about proper footing depth, soil conditions, or using rebar for reinforcement, you should be concerned about their work.
Hiring the Wrong Contractor (or the Cheapest One)
I know everyone wants a good price. But when it is for something as important as your deck, the cheapest bid is not always the best. Here are some things to watch out for:
- No License or Insurance: This is not something you can skip. A professional contractor must be fully licensed and insured. If they cannot show you proof, you should not hire them. You do not want to be responsible if someone gets hurt on your property.
- Vague Contracts or No Contract at All: Everything should be written down. This includes the project scope, the materials, the timeline, and the cost. A handshake deal can cause problems later.
- Unrealistic Pricing: If one quote is much lower than all the others, there is usually a reason for it. It might mean they are using cheaper materials. They might also be skipping permits. Or they just might not know what they are doing.
- High-Pressure Sales Tactics: Anyone trying to make you sign a contract quickly with a