I'm considering adding an extension to my house, but finances are tight at the moment. We currently have a cracked and sloping concrete patio. To make better use of our outdoor space, I'm thinking about having a contractor build the foundation for a future addition (around 15x20 feet) but for now, putting a deck on top. My question is, how much more expensive would it be to build that foundation compared to just constructing a regular deck? Would it be a good idea to do the foundation now or should I just wait and build the deck instead?
3 Answers
From what I understand, the foundation for a deck should be sloped away from the house, while an addition would be level. So, if you’re not ready to build the addition, it might be better to just focus on the deck for now.
I wouldn't recommend it. If you build the foundation first, you might limit your options later. Just stick with a basic deck and wait until you’re ready financially to tackle the addition. It gives you more flexibility down the line.
Building a foundation now could end up costing you 3 to 4 times more than just putting in a simple deck. You’d need to make sure the deck is watertight, which adds to the expense. It might not be worth it unless you're really committed to that future addition right away.