If you’re hoping to have your garden looking its best and your new deck ready to enjoy for the summer, there’s one thing I’d recommend: start planning earlier than you think.
Most good decking contractors are booked months in advance, particularly as spring approaches. Occasionally, you might get lucky and find a cancellation slot, but these are rare.
So, if you’re hoping to be sitting outside enjoying your new deck when the warmer weather arrives, I’d recommend starting the conversation at least six months in advance.
Why do good deck builders get so busy?
It’s quite understandable really.
Most of us only start thinking seriously about our gardens when the weather improves. The sun comes out, we start spending more time outside, and suddenly that old, tired deck becomes something we really want to sort out.
The problem is, that’s exactly when everyone else is thinking the same thing!
The better-known and more experienced decking companies can already be fully booked for the summer months, having taken bookings through the winter from homeowners who planned ahead.
It’s a bit like booking a holiday. You might only start thinking about it when the weather gets nice, but by then, the best places may already be booked.
So, when is the best time?
If your deck isn’t urgent and you’re happy for the work to be completed at any point during the year, then there’s obviously less pressure.
But if your existing deck needs repairing, replacing, or you’re planning a completely new project and want it ready for the summer, the earlier you start, the better.
I’d suggest allowing at least six months, especially if you have a particular contractor in mind.
And if you’ve found a smaller company that produces fantastic work but only builds, say, ten decks a year, you may want to give them 12 months’ notice.
The smaller the company, the fewer projects they can take on — and sometimes that’s exactly why they produce such great work.
Autumn can be a great time to build
Personally, I think autumn is one of the most underrated times of year to have a deck built.
Summer is coming to an end, so you’re naturally spending less time outside. You’re also less likely to mind having part of your garden turned into a building site for a few weeks.
The weather can still be reasonably good, contractors can generally continue working, and once the project is finished, you’re all set for the following spring.
Imagine coming out into your garden when the first warm days arrive and your new deck is already finished and ready to use.
No waiting.
No building work.
Just enjoy it.
What about winter?
Winter can also be a really good opportunity.
Some larger decking companies may have a little more availability during the quieter months, which could make it easier to secure the contractor you really want.
The downside is that shorter days and poorer weather can sometimes make projects take longer.
But if you’re not using the garden much anyway, does that really matter?
You might actually find that getting the work done during the quieter months means you’re ready to enjoy your garden when everyone else is just starting to think about theirs.
Spring and summer can be the busiest time
By spring, many contractors are already fully booked.
Some will stop taking new projects altogether once their schedule is full because they don’t want to take on more work than they can comfortably deliver.
And that’s important.
A good contractor shouldn’t keep accepting new jobs just because they can. They need to leave enough time to complete the work properly and give each customer the attention they deserve.
Then comes summer — and they’re usually at their busiest.
They’re either fully booked with installations, managing multiple teams, or dealing with holidays and staff availability.
So although summer might seem like the obvious time to build a deck, it can actually be the most difficult time to get one built.
Plan ahead and enjoy it sooner
If you know you want a new deck for next summer, don’t wait until next summer to start looking.
Plan in autumn or winter, get the work booked in, and let the contractor worry about the building schedule while you look forward to using it.
Remember, a deck booked in April could easily be affected by delays on earlier projects. A few weeks of bad weather can push one job into another, potentially meaning your project doesn’t start until June — and suddenly you’re looking at July before it’s finished.
That’s a big chunk of your summer spent waiting.
Whereas a project started in autumn or winter is far less likely to interfere with the months when you actually want to be outside enjoying your garden.
My advice?
Be smart. Plan early.
Give yourself plenty of time to find the right contractor, choose the right materials and properly plan your project.
Because the goal isn’t just to have a beautiful deck.
It’s to have it ready when you actually want to use it.