1. Schedule Your Sunshine 811 Utility Locate
Florida law requires a free Sunshine 811 locate at least two business days before any digging, including deck footings. This gets underground gas, electric, water, and cable lines marked so we can plan footing placement safely. We schedule this as part of every project, but it's worth knowing about up front.
2. Flag Your Well & Septic System
If your property is on well water and a septic system — common throughout unincorporated Marion County — we'll need to know where the drain field, tank, and well are located so we can keep footings a safe distance away. If you have a septic permit or as-built drawing on file, that speeds this step up considerably.
3. Clear the Build Area
Move patio furniture, potted plants, grills, and any landscaping features out of the footprint. On larger rural lots, this sometimes means clearing brush or small saplings that have grown up near the planned build site — we'll flag anything substantial during your on-site estimate.
4. Relocate Sprinkler Heads & Irrigation Lines
Any irrigation heads or buried lines within the deck footprint should be capped or rerouted before construction starts. We can coordinate this as part of the project timeline if you don't already have an irrigation contractor.
5. Check Your HOA Rules
If you're in a deed-restricted community like On Top of the World, The Villages, or one of Ocala's newer subdivisions, check your HOA's architectural review requirements before we finalize design. Many communities require ARC approval even for permit-exempt, ground-level decks.
6. Plan for Pets & Livestock
If you have dogs, horses, or other animals with access to the yard, let us know so we can plan gate access and site fencing during construction. This is especially common on the equestrian properties we build on throughout Marion County.
7. Confirm Site Access for Equipment & Materials
Let us know about gate codes, narrow driveways, or any access restrictions ahead of time. On acreage properties with longer driveways, this is one of the biggest schedule factors — we scope it during your free estimate so there are no surprises on build day.
PAA: Preparing for Deck Construction in Ocala
Do I need to call 811 before a deck build in Florida?
Yes. Florida law requires a free Sunshine 811 utility locate at least two business days before any digging, including deck footings. We schedule this as part of every project.
Do I need to mark my septic drain field before a deck is built?
If you're on a septic system, yes. We ask homeowners to flag the drain field location and any well setback so we can plan footing placement well clear of it before we ever break ground.
Should I move sprinkler heads before deck construction?
Yes, any irrigation heads or lines within the deck footprint should be capped or relocated before we begin. We can coordinate this as part of the project if you don't have an irrigation contractor already.
We'll Walk You Through It
Every item on this checklist gets covered during your free on-site estimate — we don't expect homeowners to figure it out alone. Call (352) 301-4948 or request a quote to get started.
Also see: Do You Need a Permit to Build a Deck in Marion County, FL? and How Long Does It Take to Build a Deck in Florida?