Benefits of Custom Design
Custom deck design isn’t just about making something look different – it’s about creating a deck that actually works for how you live and what your property needs.
Tailored to Your Property’s Unique Characteristics
Central Coast properties come with their own challenges and opportunities. Sloped blocks that drop away toward water views, narrow side access that makes material delivery tricky, existing trees you want to keep, soil conditions that vary across the block. A custom design accounts for all of this. We’re not trying to force a standard 4×6 rectangle onto a site that needs something completely different.
Maximises Your Outdoor Living Potential
Your block might have perfect afternoon sun in one corner, natural privacy from neighbours in another spot, and those coastal breezes that make summer evenings comfortable. Custom design means we position your deck to take advantage of these things. Maybe that’s multiple levels to create distinct zones for dining and lounging, or angling the deck to capture views while blocking the harsh western sun.
Built Around Your Lifestyle Requirements
Planning to add an outdoor kitchen down the track? Need space for a hot tub? Want built-in seating that can handle 20 people when you’re entertaining? Custom design means we build these requirements into the structure from the start, not trying to retrofit them later. If you’re serious about outdoor entertaining, we design the flow between your kitchen, dining area, and deck space. If it’s more about a quiet spot to enjoy your morning coffee with water views, that’s a completely different design approach.
Seamless Integration With Your Home
A custom deck should look like it belongs with your house, not something that was just bolted on as an afterthought. We match the design to your home’s architecture, consider how you move between indoor and outdoor spaces, and make sure the materials and style complement what’s already there.
Design Process
Here’s how we actually work through a custom deck design from start to finish.
Initial Consultation and Site Analysis
We start by coming out to your property and having a proper conversation about what you’re after. Not just “I want a deck” – we’re talking about how you actually use your outdoor space. Do you entertain every weekend? Need somewhere the grandkids can play safely? Want to capture those water views while you’re having breakfast?
Then we walk your property together. We’re looking at slope and how water runs off when it rains, where the sun hits at different times of day, how you’d get materials onto the site, whether there’s existing structures or trees that affect the design. On the Central Coast, we’re also checking things like exposure to salt air and prevailing winds – this stuff matters for how we design and what materials we recommend.
Conceptual Design and Visualisation
Once we understand your site and what you’re after, we create initial design concepts. This isn’t just sketches on a napkin – we’re providing proper plans that show exactly what we’re proposing. For most projects, we include 3D renders so you can actually see what the finished deck will look like. Makes it a lot easier to make decisions when you can visualise the space, rather than trying to imagine it from 2D plans.
Material Selection and Budget Planning
We walk you through material options – timber species, composite decking, different balustrade systems – and explain what works best for your specific situation and budget. Some materials make more sense for certain applications, and we’re straight up about the pros and cons of each option. Then we provide detailed costing so you know exactly what you’re getting and what it costs before we start building.
Refinement and Approval
Most designs go through a few rounds of refinement. You might want to adjust the deck height, change the stair configuration, or modify the layout after seeing the initial concept. We work through these changes until the design is exactly what you want. Once you’re happy, we handle all the engineering documentation and council approvals before any construction starts.
Customisation Options
When we say custom, we mean it. Here’s what that actually looks like in practice.
Multiple Levels and Distinct Zones
Sloped Central Coast blocks often work best with multi-level decks. Upper level for dining with views, lower level for lounging closer to the pool or garden. We design these transitions to feel natural, not like you’re climbing a fire escape between spaces.
Built-In Features
Integrated bench seating around the perimeter creates permanent seating without cluttering your deck with furniture. Built-in planters let you incorporate greenery without potted plants everywhere. We can design these elements into the structure so they’re part of the deck, not additions.
Lighting and Shade Solutions
Built-in lighting makes your deck usable after dark and adds safety around stairs and level changes. We wire everything during construction so there’s no exposed cables or retrofit work later. For shade, we can design integrated pergola structures, sail attachment points, or louvre systems – whatever suits your needs and budget.
Balustrades and Privacy
From glass panels that maintain views to timber screens that create privacy from neighbours, balustrade choice affects both look and function. We design these elements to meet code requirements while achieving the aesthetic you’re after.
Material Combinations and Unique Shapes
Mixed materials – composite decking with timber posts, or different timber species for framing and decking – create visual interest. Curved sections, angled layouts, or geometric designs turn a basic rectangle into something distinctive.
Access and Integration
Custom stair configurations that work with your site, multiple access points, integration with outdoor kitchens or entertainment areas – all designed as part of the overall structure, not added on later.
Local Expertise
We’ve been building custom decks on the Central Coast long enough to understand what works here and what doesn’t.
Understanding Central Coast Terrain
Sloped blocks, coastal soil conditions, drainage challenges – we’ve dealt with all of it across Terrigal, Avoca Beach, Copacabana, and surrounding areas. We know how to engineer foundations for steep sites, how to manage water runoff, and how to build structures that handle the unique conditions of Central Coast properties.
Working With Coastal Conditions
Salt air, UV exposure, seasonal storms – these aren’t just considerations, they’re factors that determine material selection and construction methods. We build decks that are designed for this environment from the ground up.
Navigating Local Requirements
Central Coast Council has specific requirements for deck construction, especially on sloped sites or properties near waterways. We know what’s required, how to get approvals, and how to design decks that meet local codes without compromising what you’re trying to achieve.
Our portfolio includes custom decks across the Central Coast – different styles, different challenges, different properties. That experience means we’re not figuring things out as we go on your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Design phase usually takes 2-3 weeks, depending on how quickly we finalise the concept and get your approval. Council approval adds another 4-8 weeks – we can’t control their timeline. Construction time depends on deck size and complexity, but most custom decks take 3-6 weeks to build once we start on site. Weather delays happen, especially during winter months on the Coast.
Custom design means we’re building exactly what your property needs, which often saves money compared to trying to make a standard plan work on a challenging site. You’re paying for design time upfront, but you’re getting a deck that maximises your property’s potential. We provide detailed costing during the design phase so there’s no surprises.
Yes. We prepare and lodge all required documentation with Central Coast Council, including engineering if needed. You don’t need to deal with council directly – we manage that process from start to finish.
Absolutely. Custom design means we integrate with what’s already there. If you’re planning to add these features later, we can design the structure to accommodate them from the start.
Minor adjustments are usually manageable. Significant changes might affect timeline and cost, so we discuss options before making modifications. Best to get the design right before construction starts.
Get Your Custom Deck Design Started
Ready to create a deck that’s actually designed for your Central Coast property? We offer free design consultations where we visit your site, discuss what you’re after, and provide initial concepts.
Want to see what we’ve built? We can show you our portfolio of completed custom decks across the Central Coast – different styles, different challenges, different solutions.
Contact us to arrange your free consultation. We’ll walk your property, discuss possibilities, and show you what custom deck design can achieve on your block.
Phone: 0240036404
Email: info@deckingcentralcoast.com.au
Servicing Terrigal, Avoca Beach, Copacabana, and surrounding Central Coast areas.
