Planning Our Custom Deck? Here’s What Surprised Me

We’ve dreamed of a custom deck for years—one with built-in benches, a pergola for shade, and space for a fire pit. But between Pinterest overload and conflicting contractor advice, planning felt overwhelming. Then I found Hunt Home Remodeling’s custom deck page, and it streamlined everything.

The Custom Deck Trend

Across Nebraska, homeowners are ditching basic rectangles for multi-level designs, integrated lighting, and mixed materials (think wood with metal railings). It’s not just about looks—functional zones (dining, lounging, grilling) make small yards feel larger.

What a Deck Builder Actually Does

I assumed builders just nail boards together, but their design phase was eye-opening. They consider:

• Sun exposure (our west-facing yard needed shade solutions)

• Traffic flow (no one wants to squeeze past the grill)

• Local permits (Bennington has specific railing height rules)

Their Custom Deck Builds page showcased creative solutions, like angled stairs to save space and hidden storage under benches.

Why We Went Custom

A prefab deck might’ve been cheaper, but tailoring it to our lifestyle (and odd-shaped yard) was worth it. The builder even suggested composite decking for lower maintenance—a game-changer for our busy family.

Tips for Fellow Planners

• Map your must-haves (we prioritized shade and kid-friendly edges)

• Ask about material warranties (some composites last 25+ years)

• Check HOA rules (ours required certain stain colors)

Tags: #CustomDecks #BenningtonLiving #OutdoorDesign #HomeProjects #DeckGoals