All Decks & Elevated Structures Services
For a wider outdoor project, browse the complete service directory, compare Outdoor Living & Structures, or review Fences, Gates & Privacy when the deck connects to surrounding yard work.
Decks & Elevated Structures: What We Handle
The category covers deck projects where structure, elevation, access, material selection and the relationship to the property all matter. A new backyard deck may be relatively straightforward, while a hillside or second-story project can involve a different set of site constraints before surface material is even discussed. The same applies to rooftop conditions, poolside areas and existing decks with repair needs. Start with the condition that most affects your project so the next discussion addresses the right site and construction questions.
For a new build, custom deck design and construction remains the broad entry point. If slope, height or roof conditions define the project, the dedicated service page provides more specific guidance. Existing decks follow a different path: repair, refinishing, waterproofing or full replacement depending on what is actually failing. Identify what should remain and what needs to change before choosing the construction approach.
Core Services in This Group
The deck family includes custom deck design and build, hillside decks, second-story and elevated decks, rooftop and roof decks, pool decks and poolside decking, deck replacement and rebuild, waterproofing, railings, stairs and landings, plus material-focused options such as Ipe, other hardwood decking, and composite or PVC systems. Choose the service that addresses your main concern, then identify any connected work such as stairs, railings or drainage.
For example, hillside decks focus on slope, access and how the structure meets changing grade. Second-story and elevated decks center on height, connections, circulation and the use of the space below. Rooftop and roof decks require early attention to the roof assembly and water management. Material comparisons come later when the surface system can be considered against an established site and structural plan.
Planning, Existing Conditions & Materials
A useful deck discussion starts with the property and the existing condition. New projects need information about location, approximate size, elevation, access, grade, nearby doors and how the space will be used. Existing decks need photos and notes about movement, damaged boards, railings, stairs, moisture or previous repairs. Those details help separate a design question from a repair problem and identify when a material choice should wait until the supporting structure is understood.
Material selection should also follow the project rather than lead it. Ipe and other hardwoods, composite and PVC systems each create different detailing and maintenance considerations, but none removes the need to account for framing, ventilation, drainage, fastening and transitions. Define the site and structural approach first, then compare the finish systems that suit it.
New Work vs Repair or Upgrade
The simplest dividing line is whether the existing deck is intended to remain. A new deck or a substantially changed layout belongs under custom deck design and build. Localized deterioration, loose components or isolated structural concerns should start with deck repair and structural restoration. When deterioration is too broad, repeated repairs no longer make sense, or the owner wants a major change in size, layout or material system, deck replacement and rebuild becomes the more relevant scope.
Some projects fall between those categories. A deck may be structurally serviceable but need a surface finish, railing change or waterproofing correction. Identify the component that needs work so a targeted improvement can be compared with a broader repair. Connected work can then be included where it genuinely affects the same project.
Related Service Families
Deck work often connects to the rest of the yard. Patios, pergolas, trellises, privacy screens, fencing, hardscape, pools, landscaping and exterior remodeling can influence how a deck is placed and how circulation works around it. These connected projects have their own dimensions, access and sequencing needs. When several scopes must be coordinated, backyard remodeling and outdoor living is a useful starting point for the combined plan.
For a deck beside a new patio or garden structure, settle the shared edges, levels and walking routes before either layout is finalized. That coordination helps define which part of the project belongs to each installation or repair scope.
What to Send for a Quote
The first quote request does not need to be a finished specification. It should give enough information to identify the project type and the conditions that may affect scope. Photos of the overall area and close-ups of existing problems are useful. Approximate dimensions, height, slope, access limitations, material preferences and nearby structures help distinguish a straightforward deck from a hillside, elevated, rooftop or repair project.
- Project address or service area.
- New construction, repair, replacement or upgrade.
- Approximate size, elevation and access conditions.
- Photos of the site and any existing deck.
- Known material preferences, railing/stair needs or drainage concerns.
If you are still deciding between two paths, say that directly. The correct next step may be a comparison between repair and replacement, hardwood and composite, or a standard deck and a site-specific elevated solution.
FAQ
Which page should I use for a brand-new deck?
Start with Custom Deck Design & Build unless hillside, rooftop or another specific condition is the defining feature of the project.
Which page should I use for an existing damaged deck?
Start with Deck Repair & Structural Restoration when the goal is to evaluate and retain the existing deck. If replacement is already the likely goal, use Deck Replacement & Rebuild.
Do material pages replace the construction page?
No. Material pages help compare surface systems. The construction plan still needs to address the broader new-deck scope and site conditions.