Your dream deck is only a few planks away
If you’re dreaming of relaxing on your deck and barbecuing with your loved ones, the first question to ask is, “Who should I hire to build a deck?” Before you can experience the beauty of life on your deck, you need to hire the right type of professional to build it. In this guide, we’ll show you who you can hire to build your deck, what to expect, and what the process will look like.
You have plenty of options for working with a pro to plan a deck project, from general contractors to pool deck contractors and beyond. Here are the types of pros available for this type of work, along with some pricing information and relevant data points.
One of the first pros you can contact when you need a deck built is a local deck building contractor. These pros have the necessary skills—like deck design, sawing, nailing, framing, and spacing wood—to deal with everyday challenges and requests like uneven ground, steep slopes, and deck crawl spaces.
While there isn't a deck-building license, your pro needs to have a contractor license to build a deck. To get one, they’d need to pass a trade, business, and law exam and have insurance, a surety bond, or both. Also, some states require years of work experience as a builder or remodeler.
Deck builders will be up-to-date on any building codes, ensuring your deck complies with the latest deck building requirements for the deck’s structure like the railing, ledger board, and stairs by the International Residential Code (IRC). Expect to pay $4,500 to $14,000 in labor fees to hire a deck contractor.
While general contractors might not have the same experience as deck builders who work only on decks, they’re also worth considering. Of course, you’ll want to check their previous work experience to ensure they have built the type of structure you have in mind. But typically, hiring a general contractor costs an average of $4,000, depending on the project type and size. You can expect to pay this type of pro 10% to 20% of your project total.
If you’re looking to build a balcony, or second-story, deck, you can also consider contacting a balcony contractor for the task. They’ll know how to create a balcony that looks like a natural addition to your home and is sturdy and safe. These pros charge $10 to $45 per square foot in labor fees.
Composite decking resembles wood but is made from a mix of hearty materials that have increased durability over wood. These types of composite decking materials require specialized installation processes, which is where composite decking installers come in. These pros have plenty of experience working with all of the major composite decking brands, such as Trex, and easily handle add-ons like stairs and railings. Labor costs for composite decks come out to $10 to $15 per square foot.
If you’re hoping to build a deck around your pool, pool deck builders are a great choice of pro. They have experience working with above and in-ground pools and will have the skills needed to build a functional and visually pleasing pool deck. Labor costs for these decks are $3.25 to $10 per square foot.
The only difference between a deck and a patio is that the former is raised while the latter sits at ground level. In other words, a patio builder is a great choice for building an outdoor structure that resembles a deck in many ways, but without raised joists and the like.
Patio pros have a leg up when compared to standard deck contractors if your structure is adjacent to a body of water, like a pool. Most patio materials are waterproof, as patios are made with concrete, stone, tiling, and various composite materials. Patio pros charge $5 to $15 per square foot for labor.
A purpose-built porch deck brings the fun of a standard deck with some added protection from the elements. Dedicated porch contractors will not only have plenty of expertise in framing out a deck but will also be able to put up screened-in walls and a roof. Porch pros charge $2 to $10 per square foot.
Decks are typically raised platforms directly adjacent to the home, but if you don’t have the space, you don’t have the space. That’s where roof decks come in. A standard deck contractor can handle the basic framing and building of a roof deck, but they need plenty of experience with roofs and heights.
Roofs boast strict weight and size limitations and could require specialized permits to add a deck. Your roof deck contractor will jump over any and all regulatory hurdles before getting to work. This work costs $2 to $15 per square foot for labor, depending on the complexity of the job.
Hiring a deck contractor is a no-brainer, and it makes a lot of sense, too. Where porch and patio pros are really good at porches and patios, deck contractors are the ones who know decks the best. Your local deck contractor will be an expert in the ins and outs of decks, quirks about your local climate that may impact the deck-building process, safety codes for your area, and how to obtain the right permits. They can help you optimize your overall home renovation cost to make sure you’re getting the best value possible.
When it comes to deck construction, you definitely want someone who’s done it more than a time or two. You can rest assured that a vetted deck contractor knows what they’re talking about and is confident in the quality of their construction.
So, what exactly goes into building a deck? Let’s look at a typical deck contractor’s building process.
Consult: Your deck contractor will review your plan for your deck with you, look over design options, and help you pick your deck material.
Design: Based on everything discussed during the initial design phase, you’ll get a 3D color rendering of your deck. If you’re satisfied with the results, you’ll get a detailed project proposal, breaking down everything in the quote and the project timeline.
Permits and approval: They’ll send your deck plan to get approved and apply for any building permits you might need.
Prepare: This stage involves getting the site prepared for your deck. Some preparation steps they take are digging holes for the footing, outlining the area with strings, and preparing the soil.
Build: Your pro will start building your deck once preparations are complete. Some steps you can expect are setting the footing, installing the ledger board, support posts, joists, and nailing boards. Your deck builder will also install any add-ons you want during this stage.
There’s no denying that you can save on labor costs when you build your own deck. While extra money in your pocket is always nice, unexpected challenges, time commitments, permits, and renting equipment like a truck loader, screw gun, air compressor, and a saw can make this project more of a headache than you intended.
But it’s possible to DIY a simple floating or detached deck if you’re willing to dedicate the time to get it done. You can save $35 to $100 per hour in labor costs by constructing the deck on your own, saving 65% of the total project cost.
You can make this project easier by asking a contractor to build your deck’s frame. While it will require more money than DIYing from start to finish yourself, it will take an obstacle out of the way that homeowners typically face, which is building a solid deck foundation.
The goal is to find a deck contractor who can do the work efficiently, do it right the first time, and charges a fair price for service. Your guiding lights are experience and integrity. Start by using word-of-mouth advice from friends and family and online research to find reputable contractors in the area. Once you have a few options, contact the pros and collect project quotes. While you are talking to them, here are some topics worth pursuing to ensure a favorable outcome.
Deck type and contractor type: If you are dead set on a pool deck over, say, a roof deck, narrow down your list of candidates to those with poolside experience. Bring this up during the initial contact call to gauge experience level.
Ask about qualifications: Make sure to discuss the contractor’s certifications and qualifications that go above and beyond general experience level. Ask if they belong to any trade organizations and if they have sample photos of finished projects.
Gather customer referrals: Research online to look for customer reviews of each contractor and ask them to provide direct contact information for previous customers.
Discuss timetables: Project cost is important, but so is the timetable. When gathering cost estimates, also collect job completion estimates. These are not set in stone, as life happens, but it is good to have an idea of their availability and timeline.
Verify insurance and certifications: Building a deck is arduous work that presents certain dangers, especially when building a roof deck. Make sure your company offers full liability insurance to all contractors under its purview and that each worker has the necessary certifications to complete the job.
The average cost to build a deck is $7,900, so take any cost-cutting measures available to ease the price tag. Here are a few ways to save money when building a deck.
Choose a simple design: Wraparound and multi-tier decks made from advanced composite materials are great, but they cost more than simple rectangular designs made from wood. Find a simple design that meets your needs to save some serious cash.
Keep it small: When it comes to building decks, size is money as material and labor costs add up quickly. Reduce the overall dimensions of your deck to save money.
Build during the offseason: If a contractor has a significant waitlist, you have to pay extra to jump the queue or simply wait. Build a deck during the winter or early fall when demand for decks drops off considerably.
Limit additional components: Sure, outdoor lighting systems, propane fireplaces, and dazzling furniture pieces are great, but they are pricey. Start with the basics to save money and consider add-ons for next season.
Gather multiple quotes: Gather multiple quotes before settling on a candidate to help you find the right price and the best pro to go along with it.
