So, you are thinking about a new Trex deck for your Hawthorne home. This is a smart choice for many homeowners. Trex is a solid material that looks good. It also cuts down on all the staining and sealing work that wood decks need. Our team has seen many people here in Hawthorne, from Hollyglen to the neighborhoods near the Hawthorne Airport, make common mistakes. These mistakes can turn a dream deck into a real problem. As someone who has been building decks in this town for many years, we want to tell you this straight. You do not want to be one of those people.
Mistake #1: Thinking Only About the Board Price
This is often the biggest mistake we see with Deck Construction in Hawthorne. Homeowners see the price per square foot for Trex boards and think that is their total budget. This is not correct. A Trex deck is not just a stack of composite planks. You also have the entire substructure underneath. This includes the posts, beams, and joists. The substructure is the backbone of your deck. If it is not built right, those nice Trex boards will not matter.
Our team has seen contractors try to cut corners on the substructure. They use undersized joists as well as cheap fasteners. This leads to a wobbly deck as well as sagging spots. It can also lead to structural failure later on. In Hawthorne, we get a lot of sun. We also get occasional moisture from coastal breezes. You need a substructure that can handle these conditions. Good, experienced builders, like us at Hawthorne Deck Builders, know this. We factor in proper joist spacing. This spacing for Trex is often tighter than for wood. This helps to prevent sagging and makes sure the deck is stable.
Then there is labor as well as permits as well as design. There are also many other small things that add up. If a quote seems too good to be true, it probably is. Someone is cutting corners. This will become your problem later on.
Mistake #2: Skipping Permits and Ignoring Local Codes
We understand that paperwork is a pain for homeowners. However, trying to build a deck in Hawthorne without the proper permits will cause problems. The City of Hawthorne has building codes for a good reason. These codes are for safety.
Most decks attached to your home need a permit. Decks more than 30 inches off the ground also need a permit. Projects involving structural changes will also require a permit. Even replacing an existing deck often needs one. This is especially true if you are changing materials or modifying the framing.
A good contractor will handle the permit process for you. This includes drawing up plans as well as scheduling inspections. If a builder tells you permits are not necessary, or suggests you pull them yourself, they will