A deck with a patio underneath gives you two functional outdoor spaces int he footprint of one. But, it also means two crews working in the same small area, and that's where brand-new decks can get damaged.

The solution is simple and straightforward... get the order of work right.

The Problem With Pouring Concrete Last

The process usually looks something like this: The deck crew builds everything, including temporary stairs. Then the concrete crew shows up with huge equipment—a skid steer, shovels, and a concrete truck. And all of these are working around, or under, a finished deck.

It gets messy. Machines bump posts. Concrete splashes on new fascia. Temporary stairs get in the way and need to get rebuilt. It's just a mess. And it's happened to us before.

It doesn't anymore.

How We Sequenced This Woodbury Project

On this recent Woodbury build, the homeowners wanted a 16x50 foot concrete patio covering everything under and around the deck. Here's how we planned it:

Deck first, up to a point. We built the frame, set the lower platform, and installed the stair stringers down to that platform. Then we stopped.

Clear the ground. The landscaping crew came in and removed all the existing rock and a small old slab near the door.

Pour the patio. The concrete crew poured the full patio with nothing in their way. On day six, our deck crew wasn't even on site. We moved to another project so the concrete team had the space to themselves.

Let it cure. We gave the concrete an extra day to cure before anyone walked on it.

Finish the deck. Then we came back to set the last six stair stringers onto finished concrete, wrap the posts, and install the under-deck system.

Why This Order Protects You

This sequence does three things for you:

• Your new deck stays undamaged. No machines working against finished surfaces.
• Your stairs land on the final surface. Stringers set on cured concrete fit right the first time, instead of temporary stairs that get torn out.
• Your project doesn't lose days. While the concrete cures, our crew works another job instead of standing around, so nobody is paying for idle time.

Coordination Is Part of the Job

When your project requires multiple cooks in the proverbial kitchen, someone has to own the schedule. Otherwise you end up playing project manager in your own backyard.

Ask your builder how they'll coordinate with other trades. If the answer is "we'll figure it out," expect some surprises.

Build Both Spaces the Right Way

We plan decks and the spaces under them together from the start. Call Cole at (651) 661-4407 or request a consultation.

See how this same project handled Woodbury's clay soil in why your footings decide everything on clay.