New Decks Built Right. Old
Decks Brought Back to Life.
A deck is a serious structure — joists carry tons of live load, fasteners corrode, ledger boards fail. RO builds new decks (wood, composite, PVC) to current code with proper footings, hardware, and railings, and we restore failing decks instead of writing them off when they're salvageable.
Deck Repair & Building
Guide
What It Is
Deck work covers full new builds (footings, framing, decking, railings, stairs), partial repairs (replacing rotted boards, failed ledger boards, sagging joists), and refinishing (sanding, staining, sealing). Modern code requires specific hardware: proper joist hangers, hurricane ties at framing connections, and structural-grade fasteners. DIY decks often skip these and fail catastrophically.
When You Need It
New build triggers: adding outdoor living space, replacing a rotted-out old deck, or building a deck for a hot tub. Repair triggers: bouncy or sagging deck (joist or ledger issues), rotted boards, loose railings (most common cause of deck-related injuries), or boards splintering badly. Refinishing every 2–4 years keeps wood decks looking new and prevents rot.
What Sets the Price
Decking material is the obvious variable — pressure-treated, composite, and PVC are a real spread — but height off the ground drives more than most people expect. A deck sitting two feet off grade goes up fast. A second-story deck means taller posts, bigger footings, deeper beams, a full stair run with a landing, and fall protection while we work. Footing depth, soil conditions, stair count, railing style, and whether the ledger has to come off and be re-flashed all stack onto that. On repair work, nothing is settled until boards come off: a deck that looks like six bad boards very often has rot in the joist tops underneath, and we'll walk you out there and show you before we go further and re-price. New builds take 5–14 days, repairs 1–5, and permit review adds 1–2 weeks before we can break ground.
Why It Matters Here
Heat, humidity, and summer rain across the foothills push a wood deck hard — the same cycle from the Greenville area up into the North Carolina mountains and down into north Georgia. Pressure-treated wood goes 15–25 years if it is stained and sealed every 2–4. Composite (Trex, TimberTech) goes 25–30 with no maintenance. The cheapest deck — untreated wood, never sealed — is gone in 5–8. Count every re-stain over the life of the deck and lifecycle cost favors composite, or pressure-treated that somebody actually keeps up.
Deck Repair & Building Gallery
Warning
Signs
Bounce or movement when walking on the deck
Joists are undersized, spaced too far apart, or have rot. Bounce gets worse over time and eventually causes structural failure. Deck inspection determines root cause.
Loose or wobbly railings
The #1 cause of deck-related injuries. Posts may be rotted at the base, fasteners failed, or railing was never properly attached. Falling against a loose railing can be fatal — fix immediately.
Boards springy or soft underfoot
Decking boards are rotting from underneath where you can't easily see. Press on them with a screwdriver — if it sinks in, the board needs replacement.
Cracks in support posts
Splits parallel to the wood grain are usually cosmetic. Splits perpendicular to the grain or wide cracks indicate structural compromise — post needs replacement.
Sagging in the middle of the deck
Joists are deflecting under load. Could be undersized lumber, rot, or failed beam connections. A structural inspection determines what needs reinforcement or replacement.
Black or dark staining at ledger board
The ledger (the board attaching deck to house) is one of the most failure-prone parts of any deck. Black staining = water infiltration and rot. Failed ledgers cause deck collapses — this is urgent.
Visible rust on hardware
Joist hangers, screws, and bolts must be hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel. Rust means the hardware is failing — and rust on screws can split the wood around them, accelerating failure.
Maintenance
Tips
Our
Process
Design & Permit
For new builds, we design to your space and needs, calculate load requirements, and pull the required building permits. In South Carolina, any deck attached to the house needs a permit; North Carolina and Georgia set their own thresholds county by county. We are licensed in all three states and deal with whichever building department the job falls under.
Footings & Framing
Footings dug to frost depth and inspected before pour. Posts set, beams sized to span, joists installed with proper hangers, ledger lag-bolted to house with flashing to prevent water infiltration.
Decking Installation
Boards installed with proper gapping for expansion (especially composite), hidden fasteners or stainless screws to prevent rust streaks. Rim board finished cleanly. Stairs framed with proper rise/run code.
Railings & Finish
Railings installed with code-compliant height (36–42") and baluster spacing (less than 4" gap). Posts notched into framing for strength, not just surface-mounted. Stain or sealer applied to wood decks.
Inspection & Walk-Through
Local building inspector signs off on the work. We walk you through the deck, point out maintenance considerations, and provide warranty documentation. Cleanup includes removing all construction debris.
What Drives the Number
Prices are estimates for Upstate SC — get a real quote for your project.
FAQ
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Get Your
Quote
Call us directly or request a quote online. No pressure, no upselling — just honest answers about your deck repair & building needs.
(864) 304-0139