Upgrading your backyard with a low-maintenance composite deck is a great project for homeowners in Clovis, CA. Building a Trex deck in Clovis is a very solid investment, especially because the hot Central Valley summers are very hard on traditional wood materials. Before you pick out your railing style or your color palette, you need a clear roadmap of how Deck Construction actually flows from the initial concept all the way to the final inspection by the city.
The Timeline: What to Expect From Start to Finish
Most homeowners severely underestimate how long the pre-construction phase takes for Deck Construction. You are not just calling a builder and having them show up with lumber the next day. Between the initial design consultation, material ordering, and city approvals, a typical project takes anywhere from six to twelve weeks before a single post goes into the ground in Clovis, CA.
Here is roughly how the schedule breaks down:
- Design and contract signing: 1 to 2 weeks
- Engineering, material delivery, and Clovis building permit processing: 3 to 6 weeks
- Actual construction on-site: 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the size and complexity of the Deck Construction project
Keep in mind that the City of Clovis building department can get backed up during peak spring building seasons, which can stretch out that permit phase. Clovis Deck & Porch always tells clients to start planning months before they actually want to walk on the new Deck Construction project.
Preparing Your Yard and Home
Once the paperwork clears and your start date is on the calendar, you will need to do a little prep work on your end. Our local soil here in the Clovis area tends to be heavy clay, which means digging footings creates some heavy-duty dirt displacement. Clear a wide path from your gate to the backyard so our crews can haul materials and equipment without tearing up your lawn or flower beds.
You should also make sure patio furniture, potted plants, and temporary items attached to the house near the work zone are moved out of the way. If you have pets, line up a safe indoor spot for them during the day because the sound of pneumatic tools and heavy framing work can stress them out.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign That Contract
Never sign a construction agreement until you have asked your contractor about the specific details of Deck Construction. Too many homeowners get burned because they assumed certain details were included in the price. Before putting pen to paper, ask these direct questions:
- Are permits and structural engineering fees included in this bid, or will those be billed separately?
- Who handles calling for utility locates before digging into our Clovis soil?
- What specific hidden fastener system are you using for the Trex boards?
- What does your workmanship warranty cover, and how does it interact with the manufacturer's fading and staining warranty?
For homes and businesses in Clovis, Clovis Deck & Porch provides Deck Construction services.