Every job below is one we do ourselves across Wesley Chapel.
We frame new decks on concrete footings poured below grade, sized for Florida's sandy soil rather than a one-size spec. Joists get hung with galvanized or stainless hangers rated for pressure-treated lumber, and we set board spacing for drainage and expansion before the first screw goes in.
If you want a multi-level deck, a built-in bench, or a spot worked in for a hot tub, we draw it out and size the framing to carry that load. We'll show you the layout before any lumber is ordered so changes happen on paper, not mid-build.
Soft or spongy boards usually mean water has been sitting instead of draining, and we replace those boards and check the joists underneath for rot before closing it back up. Loose railings almost always trace back to a post that was never through-bolted to the frame, and we fix that connection, not just tighten what's there.
We pressure wash first to strip old finish and mildew, let the wood dry fully, then apply a stain and sealer rated for UV and standing water. Skipping the dry time is why a lot of stain jobs peel within a year, so we don't rush that step.
Composite boards don't require staining, but they still require the right hidden fastener system and gap spacing so they don't buckle in the heat. We install brands rated for Florida sun, which matters because cheaper composite can fade or warp within a few summers here.
Florida code sets guardrail height and baluster spacing, usually gaps under four inches so a small child can't slip through. We build rail posts that bolt through the rim joist, not just screwed to the face board, which is the usual reason a railing starts to lean.
Pool decks need boards and hardware that handle constant splash and chlorine without corroding, so we steer people toward composite or marine-grade hardware in that zone. We also slope the framing slightly so water sheets off instead of pooling against the house.
We frame the deck structure and coordinate the screen enclosure on top of it, sizing the posts to carry the extra wind load screening adds. That matters in a storm, since an enclosure that isn't tied into solid framing is the first thing to go.
When the frame underneath is still solid but the boards are cupped, splintered or just worn out, we pull the decking and replace just the boards, not the structure. It costs less than a full rebuild and usually takes a few days instead of a couple weeks.
Old decks get cut down section by section and hauled off, including any footings coming out for a new layout. We check what's underneath, ledger attachment and joist condition, before anyone assumes the new deck can reuse any of it.
Four steps, and no surprises in any of them.
You tell us what you want doing, we look at what is actually there, and we ask the awkward questions early.
In writing, itemised, free. If something might add cost later we flag it now rather than at the end.
Same crew throughout. We cover your floors, keep the dust down and tidy up before we leave each day.
You point out anything you are not happy with and we fix it before the invoice, not after.
Deck construction and repair across this part of Florida.
Questions that come up once a project is underway.
Describe the problem and we will tell you what it probably is. No obligation.