Creating patio deck plans can be a test in itself. If you don’t feel ready enough to tackle such a project, there are plenty of places to find existing plans or software to build your new addition. Before looking at pre-existing plans, it’s best to know the function and purpose you’re after. Determine what kind of activities you will host on your new outdoor playground. If you like to entertain often, then it’s important to leave enough space. If there is a pool or items such as swings or trampolines, take this into account in terms of the garden space available for construction.

There are several places that offer pre-made patio deck plans that you can choose from. The best and even free pre-made architectural designs include elements such as a full-scale layout with measurements, a detailed bill of materials, step-by-step instruction pages, and sometimes an analysis of cost estimates. If you were to pay a professional to help you, you should receive all of the same documents, including a list of costs for your area. If the free versions aren’t up to the task for you, check out the paid versions. These range from $20-$40 depending on the difficulty of the plan and the crafting of the patio deck plans.

Don’t have it in the budget for a specialized and unique set of patio deck plans? That’s okay because you can buy software to help you. This software can create just your deck or your entire backyard landscape. This allows you to put your imagination to work to make the backyard of your dreams. Prices for this software range from $8 to $25 and up.

There are numerous types of patio deck plans to choose from when using the software or purchasing the pre-made version. There are specific types of pools below or above, expandable, multi-level, spa, straight with a lower dining area, shaded garden, multi-level garden and many others to choose from. This is where your overall purpose decision comes into play. They can also be created in virtually any shape. The most common shapes are the square, the rectangle and the hexagon.

Which patio cover plans you decide to go with depends solely on your preferences and your budget. It all comes down to how much money you have and whether you’re a bit tech-savvy and want to use the software to visualize your own creation.