So I’m almost done with my deck plans but I am hung up with one part.

I’m planning to put a concrete patio under the deck at some point in the future but want to install the deck first.

So knowing that a slab is going to be poured in, how high should the post footings be?  If they’re too low, the slab will have to be poured around or over them.  That either creates a hole for water to collect in, or the bracket and some of the post will be covered in concrete.

So what I’m thinking is to pour the footings proud of ground level and then when the slab is poured in later, it will be flush with or slightly low of the top of the footings.  I figure if the footings are very proud, I can do a stone or brick facade.

Any thoughts, opinions or personal experiences with something like this?

Thanks.

why not pore the slab now then build on top? what is stopping from that?

Budget.

But I would still need footers to go down under the frost line either way.

Top of footings at same grade as future slab

Edit to add:

When you pour the slab drill into sides of footers and insert rebar so it all ties together

Have top of footings at projected bottom of future patio. Prior to pouring patio, wrap foam expansion around posts, being sure to keep the perforated edge up. After concrete cures, tear away the top 1/2"  off expansion and apply a good caulk.