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Planning a new deck or a repair with TAGS Building & Remodeling? Before the crew arrives, a little prep on your end can make a huge difference — faster work, fewer surprises, and a smoother project overall. Here’s a step-by-step checklist to get you ready. 1. Clear the Deck Area Completely Remove everything from the work zone: outdoor furniture, grills, plants, toys, or any items you’ve got on the deck or in the surrounding yard. A clean slate helps the crew move and work efficiently — no trip hazards, no delays. 2. Make Sure Access Paths Are Open Confirm that gates, driveways, side yards, and any paths to the work area are free of obstacles. That means no bins, cars, garden tools — anything that could block material delivery or crew movement. 3. Prep the Ground Around the Work Zone Clear away debris, leaning objects against the house, overgrown brush, or anything that could get in the way. This keeps the site safe and prevents issues when crews are digging footings or moving materials. 4. Designate a Staging Area for Materials Pick an open, level spot — a driveway, side yard, or other unused space — to store and stage building materials. This keeps materials organized and reduces clutter around the work area. 5. Secure Pets & Keep Kids Away from the Work Site Construction involves tools, heavy materials, open holes, and unpredictable movement. For safety, make sure pets are secured and children understand the work site is off-limits while crews are around. 6. Be Ready for Noise, Dust & Constant Activity Deck builds are noisy — cutting, hammering, sawing, hauling materials, cleanup. Plan accordingly: if you work from home or have neighbors, give them a heads-up. 7. Understand There Might Be Unforeseen Issues Once work begins, crews might find hidden rot, improper footings, water damage, or other surprises. These are common in older decks or after years of exposure. Be mentally prepared for potential scope changes or extra work. 8. Be Ready to Review Layout, Timeline, Permits & Expectations Before construction starts, TAGS will review the layout, materials, timeline, permits (if needed), jobsite access, and overall expectations with you. Make sure to attend this conversation and ask questions. 9. Keep Communication Open & Flexible Life happens — weather, schedule conflicts, blocked access, unexpected events. If anything changes, let the crew know ASAP. Open communication helps avoid delays and keeps the project on track.