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Why Booking NOW for Next Spring Is a Good Idea

Want to Enjoy Your New Deck, Fence, or Outdoor Living Space in 2027? The Best Time to Start Planning Might Be Right Now.

It’s October in South Dakota.

The leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping, and most homeowners are starting to think about winter rather than next summer.

Deck furniture is getting put away. Grills are being covered. Lawns are getting their final mowing.

And for many homeowners, thoughts of building a new deck, installing a fence, or upgrading their backyard are being put on hold until spring.

But what if waiting until spring is actually the worst thing you could do?

At Babb Custom Deck & Fence, one of the most important pieces of advice we can give homeowners planning a project for 2027 is simple:

Start planning NOW.

Not because we’re trying to rush you into a decision.

Quite the opposite.

Planning early gives you more time to make thoughtful decisions, explore your options, and position yourself to enjoy your new outdoor space for as much of next summer as possible.

Let’s explain why.

1. Everyone Starts Thinking About Decks and Fences at the Same Time

It happens every year.

South Dakota endures another long winter.

Then, sometime in March or April, we get that first beautiful weekend.

The snow melts.

The sun comes out.

People start spending time outside again.

And suddenly, thousands of homeowners have the same thought:

“We really need to do something with our backyard this year!”

That’s when our phones start ringing.

Homeowners begin asking about:

The problem?

Everyone wants their project completed at approximately the same time.

And unfortunately, there’s only so much construction that can be completed in a week.

Even the most efficient, experienced contractor has a limited number of crews, working days, and available construction slots.

Which brings us to our next point.

2. If You Wait Until Spring to Call, You Might Be Waiting Until Fall to Build

This is something homeowners don’t always realize.

When you contact a professional deck or fence contractor in April, you aren’t necessarily scheduling a project for April.

You may be getting in line behind customers who started planning months earlier.

Depending on the contractor, project complexity, and seasonal demand, that could mean your project doesn’t begin until late summer—or even fall.

Think about that for a moment.

You wanted a new deck to enjoy during the summer of 2027.

But because you waited until spring to start planning, your new deck might not be finished until September or October.

You finally have a beautiful new outdoor space…

Just in time to put the patio furniture away for winter.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with a fall deck installation.

We build decks and fences well into the fall.

But if your goal is to enjoy your new outdoor space throughout the summer, getting on the schedule early can make a tremendous difference.

3. The Earlier Your Project Is Completed, the More You’ll Enjoy It

Consider two homeowners planning essentially the same deck.

Homeowner A starts planning in October 2026.

They discuss design options, choose materials, review pricing, and get their project scheduled for spring 2027.

Assuming weather and scheduling cooperate, their new deck is completed early in the outdoor living season.

They enjoy:

Homeowner B waits until April 2027 to start planning.

They begin contacting contractors, requesting estimates, comparing materials, and reviewing designs.

By the time everything is finalized, the contractor’s spring and summer schedules may already be full.

Their deck might not be completed until September.

Both homeowners end up with beautiful decks.

But one homeowner potentially enjoys an entire additional summer of outdoor living.

Same investment. More enjoyment.

That’s a pretty compelling reason to start early.

4. Planning Early Gives You Time to Make Better Decisions

A deck or fence isn’t something most homeowners purchase every year.

For many families, it’s a significant investment they expect to enjoy for decades.

Why rush that decision?

Starting your planning in October or November gives you the winter months to carefully consider what you actually want.

For a deck, that might include:

For a fence, you might be comparing:

These decisions matter.

And making them when you’re not feeling rushed by the arrival of summer often leads to better results.

At Babb Custom Deck & Fence, we believe a little extra planning upfront can prevent a lot of regret later.

5. Winter Is a Great Time to Design Your Project

Just because construction may slow down during a South Dakota winter doesn’t mean the planning process has to stop.

In fact, winter can be an excellent time to work through the details of a project.

Depending on the project, we can use that time to discuss:

By getting these decisions made ahead of time, homeowners can be much better prepared when favorable construction weather arrives.

Rather than beginning the entire process in April, you’re ready to move forward.

6. Quality Contractors Have Limited Availability

This is an important point that applies to almost every skilled trade.

A professional contractor can’t simply double the number of projects they complete because twice as many people call in April.

Quality construction requires:

At Babb Custom Deck & Fence, we focus on building quality decks, fences, and outdoor living spaces.

We’re not interested in rushing through projects simply to squeeze more jobs into the calendar.

We’d rather build the right number of projects correctly than overbook ourselves and compromise quality.

That’s also why our construction schedule has limits.

When those early spring construction slots are filled, they’re filled.

Getting started early gives homeowners a better opportunity to secure a preferred place in the schedule.

7. Don’t Confuse Booking Early with Rushing Construction

There’s an important distinction here.

We’re encouraging homeowners to plan early, not encouraging anyone to rush into construction before conditions are appropriate.

South Dakota weather is unpredictable.

One year we may have favorable building conditions early in spring.

Another year, winter may refuse to leave.

Frozen ground, snow, excessive moisture, and other weather-related issues can affect construction.

No reputable contractor can guarantee Mother Nature will cooperate.

But having your design, materials, and scheduling arrangements completed in advance means your project can be better positioned when conditions allow construction to begin.

You can’t control the weather. But you can control when you start planning.

8. Early Planning Is Especially Important for Larger Projects

If you’re thinking about a relatively straightforward fence installation, the planning process may be fairly simple.

But what if you’re considering something more substantial?

Perhaps you want to:

Larger projects naturally require more planning.

There may be design considerations, structural requirements, permits, material lead times, and scheduling coordination.

Starting early gives everyone time to work through those details without unnecessarily delaying construction.

And if your project includes multiple features, thoughtful planning can help ensure everything works together instead of looking like a collection of unrelated additions.

9. Booking Early Doesn’t Mean You Have to Know Exactly What You Want

Some homeowners hesitate to contact us because they haven’t figured everything out yet.

They know they want a new deck, but they’re not sure how large it should be.

They want a fence, but they’re undecided between cedar and vinyl.

They like the idea of a pergola but don’t know whether it should be attached or freestanding.

That’s okay!

You don’t have to have all the answers before starting the conversation.

Part of our job is helping you understand the options.

We ask questions about:

Sometimes the deck you’ve had for twenty years isn’t the deck you need today.

Sometimes the fence you initially thought you wanted isn’t the fence that best fits your property.

Starting early gives us time to work through those questions together.

10. A New Deck or Fence Is an Investment in Your Lifestyle

We talk a lot about long-term value at Babb Custom Deck & Fence.

And value isn’t always measured in dollars.

Sometimes it’s measured in experiences.

A new deck might mean more family dinners outside.

A privacy fence might mean finally being able to relax in your backyard without feeling exposed.

A fenced yard might mean your dog can safely enjoy the outdoors.

A pergola might mean your family spends more evenings outside instead of indoors.

Those benefits begin the day your project is completed.

So why unnecessarily delay them?

The sooner you can begin enjoying your investment, the more value you receive from it.

What Should You Do Now if You’re Planning a Project for 2027?

If you’re considering a new deck, fence, pergola, or outdoor kitchen next year, here’s what we recommend.

Step 1: Start Thinking About Your Goals

What do you want your outdoor space to accomplish?

More room?

Better privacy?

Less maintenance?

A safer backyard?

A place to entertain?

Step 2: Gather Some Ideas

Look at photos, explore materials, and think about what appeals to you.

You don’t need a completed design—just a general direction.

Step 3: Contact Us This Fall

Let’s discuss your project, evaluate your property, and begin exploring options.

Step 4: Work Through the Details

Choose materials, finalize the design, understand the investment, and address any necessary approvals.

Step 5: Secure Your Construction Schedule

Once your project is approved and booked, you’ll have a much better idea of when construction is expected to take place.

And when spring finally arrives, you’ll be that much closer to enjoying your new outdoor space.

Our Philosophy: Build It Right, Not Just Fast

At Babb Custom Deck & Fence, we aren’t trying to build the most decks or install the most fences.

We’re focused on building quality projects that meet our customers’ needs and stand the test of time.

That means using quality materials, experienced crews, thoughtful designs, and proper construction practices.

It also means being realistic about scheduling.

We understand homeowners are excited to get their projects completed.

We’re excited too!

But we believe it’s better to plan ahead and build something correctly than rush into a project simply because the weather turned nice.

A little patience in the planning process can result in years of enjoyment.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait Until You Want to Use It to Start Planning It

Here’s the bottom line.

If you’re thinking about a new deck or fence for the summer of 2027, October 2026 is not too early to start planning.

In fact, it may be one of the smartest times to begin.

Waiting until March or April could mean competing with hundreds of other homeowners who all want their projects completed at the same time.

And depending on how quickly schedules fill, that could mean waiting until late summer or fall.

By starting now, you give yourself:

After all, if you’re going to invest in a beautiful new outdoor living space, wouldn’t you rather enjoy it all summer instead of just the last few weeks?

Don’t wait until spring to start planning your summer.

Let’s Get Your 2027 Project on the Calendar!

Thinking about a new deck, fence, pergola, gazebo, or outdoor kitchen for 2027?

Now is an excellent time to start the conversation.

At Babb Custom Deck & Fence, we help homeowners throughout Sioux Falls and the surrounding communities design and build quality outdoor living spaces that are made to last.

Contact us today to discuss your ideas, explore materials, and learn about scheduling your project for next spring.

The best way to enjoy more of summer 2027 is to start planning in 2026.

Babb Custom Deck & Fence — Building For Generations.