The beautiful new deck you’re dreaming about might end up looking good for the summer, and that’s it.

After that, it’s warping and creaking. But this isn’t caused by bad building, it’s bad planning that’s the real issue. Before you allow a single board to be cut, you need to make dozens of small decisions that will decide whether this will be a deck that will last you for decades or if it will turn into a repair project by next year. 

Many homeowners rush into construction. They figure they’ll pick the layout and some nice wood, and that’s it. But what about the soil underneath? The slope of the yard? Do you have all the local permits you need to proceed?

That glamorous Pinterest board you keep looking at doesn’t have any of this on it, but this is what keeps your deck solid and safe.

If you’re thinking about an add-on like this, slow down and look past design. 

Mistakes in Planning That Cause Problems Later

Building a deck comes down to way more than looks. You also need to think about safety and compliance, but many people skip it. 

Here’s what NOT to do. 

Missing Permits/Code Checks

Just because the deck is small doesn’t mean you don’t need a permit for it. 

And the same goes for a structure in our backyard. Yes, it’s on your property, but you can’t just build whatever you want wherever you want. 

Even the most modest decks often have height or support requirements that fall under local building codes. If you skip permits, not only will you probably get fined, but you also risk having the entire thing torn down if it’s not up to standards. Yep, the city is allowed to do that. And once you build it, you can’t go back in time and ‘fix’ a missing permit. 

Professional builders know the codes, understand load and setback limits, and handle all the paperwork to keep your project compliant from the start. 

This step isn’t exciting, but it’s important. 

No Review of the Site/Foundation

The strongest deck in the world won’t work well if it’s sitting on a weak base. 

The soil beneath your yard plays a huge role in how stable your deck will be, yet many people don’t even think about it for a second. 

It’s a classic mistake.

The problem is that soft or uneven soil can shift under pressure, which means the posts can move and the boards can warp. Another ‘fun’ thing that can happen is water pooling under the structure. 

This is why experienced deck/porch/patio builders like Keystone Custom Decks (Tennessee) always start with checking the soil and foundation. This one simple step saves countless headaches later and makes sure the deck stays level and safe. 

Layout & Proportions

Even if you do a spectacular job on the deck (or have a pro do it for you), and regardless of how beautiful the end-result is, there will always be that ‘something’ that feels off/wrong, even though you can’t exactly pinpoint what it is.

But after a while, you’ll realize that the current layout of the deck doesn’t work with the space you have. If the deck is too large, it’ll suffocate the backyard. But if it’s too small, it’ll look weird. Proportions matter; A LOT. 

The deck might even be of the correct size, but if it’s positioned in such a way that it cuts off any natural pathways, it’ll start being more of an annoyance, rather than a place where you want to relax. The entire thing should feel as one seamless structure. 

(Skipping) Utility/Property Checks

It sounds like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many decks go up over hidden gas lines or into the neighbor’s property line. Make this kind of mistake, and it will instantly stop construction and turn it into a legal dispute. 

Before anyone starts digging, always call utility services to mark underground lines and confirm where your property ends. 

Design and Long-Term Planning

A deck with an iffy design sits awkwardly beside the house. 

But one that’s well-designed feels like it belongs there. A good deck naturally blends with the shape of your home and the flow of the yard, but that takes a bit of foresight. 

When you plan the design early, you can line it up with things like outdoor lighting and fencing. You can make it so that everything works together from the start. It also means you can wire for outlets now instead of tearing up the boards next year when you realize you want them. 

The same goes for leaving space for the future. You never know, maybe you’ll want a pergola or an outdoor kitchen someday. If the deck anticipates them, they’re a lot easier to fit in. You’ll also want to think about materials because some need to be sealed every year, while others barely need any attention at all. 

Unless you’re okay with occasional maintenance, you’ll want the latter. 

Conclusion

When you’re building a deck (or are doing any type of upgrades to the house) it's best to handle more now, rather than having to deal with it for months on end.

Doing prep work such as leveling the landscape, and handling and testing the soil, and dealing with all the bureaucracy around permits – all of this is time and energy spent. But doing it all now will ensure that your deck is safe and sound. If you skip any of the prep steps, you’ll always have a shadow looming over you, plus there’s a high chance that any type of damage will surface. And that will end up costing you even more nerves and more money.

The bottom line is – the more you handle now, the less you’ll spend fixing later.