Deck building: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering deck building

Decks are built for safety first, so customers judge you on the ledger, the footings and the railings more than the boards they walk on. Win the job by showing the structure you will build before the boards go on and by writing the attachment and footing details into the quote.

What customers ask

  • Is the deck safe to attach to my house?
  • Which decking material will last longest and need the least care?
  • Will the deck need a permit, and how many inspections?
  • How long will it take, and will I be able to use the yard during the build?
  • Can you match the railing style to my house?
  • What maintenance does the deck need each year?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask what the deck is for, how high it will be, what the house wall is made of and whether the ledger is accessible.
  • On site, check the existing structure if there is one, the soil for the footings and the house wall for the flashing detail, and note the grade.
  • Show a framing plan with the footing locations, joist spacing and ledger detail, so the customer sees the structure before the boards.
  • In the quote, list the footings, the ledger attachment, the flashing, the railing and the stairs, with the materials named.
  • Explain the permit and inspection stages in writing, and say which stage the customer will be asked to approve.
  • Give a written maintenance plan with the finish and cleaning schedule for the chosen decking material.

What to put on your profile

  • Photos of the framing, the ledger and the flashing before the boards go on, shot from below
  • Finished deck photos from the yard and from the house door, showing the railing and the stairs
  • Decking materials and railing types you install, with the warranty for each
  • Your service area and whether you also do deck repair, staining and porch work

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a yearly deck check focused on the ledger, the fasteners and the railing connections
  • Suggest a stain or sealer refresh at the right time for the wood, explained as protection for the boards
  • Mention a pergola, a shade structure or a stair upgrade as information when the customer is planning more outdoor space

Licenses and permits

Deck building is commonly done under a contractor license in many areas, and decks attached to a house or raised off the ground often need a permit. Confirm what applies where you work with your state or local licensing agency and local building department, and keep your insurance current.

Questions

What do I do when the customer wants to skip the ledger flashing to save time?

Refuse to leave out the flashing, since water behind the ledger rots the house wall and the deck connection. Explain the detail in writing and show a photo or drawing of how it is built.

Should I build a deck without a permit if the customer asks?

No, build only with the permits the local rules require, and explain to the customer that inspections protect them when they sell or insure the home. Put the permit plan in the quote.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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