Every job below is one we do ourselves across Brandon.
We build new decks on pressure-treated pine or composite framing, sized and engineered for Florida wind loads. Footings get poured below grade and the ledger board gets flashed before a single joist goes up. We pull the permit and schedule the inspection so the county signs off on the framing before we deck over it.
Soft spots, bouncy boards, and rot around the ledger are the calls we get most. We pull the bad boards, check the joists underneath for rot or termite damage, and replace what's failed instead of just capping over it. A repair is only as good as what's underneath, so we won't skip that step.
Florida sun bleaches and dries out wood decking fast, and the wrong stain peels within a season. We pressure wash, let the wood dry out fully, then apply a stain and sealer rated for UV and standing water. Most pine decks should have this redone every one to two years to keep the wood from checking and cupping.
Multi-level decks, built-in benches, pergolas, whatever the lot calls for, we draw it out before we build it. We size the joists and footings to the load, not a stock plan, so a hot tub or an outdoor kitchen doesn't overload the frame. You'll see the layout and materials in writing before we start cutting.
Composite boards don't rot, splinter, or require staining, which matters a lot in Brandon's humidity. We still frame it in pressure-treated lumber underneath, since composite decking has to sit on solid, properly spaced joists to keep from flexing. Brands like Trex and TimberTech expand and contract with heat, so the gaps and fasteners get set for that, not guessed at.
Loose rail posts and wobbly balusters are usually a sign the post is only screwed to the fascia board, not bolted through the frame. We rebuild the connection so it passes a firm push test, and we keep baluster spacing under four inches so it's safe for kids and pets. A railing that shakes when you lean on it isn't a small fix, it's a structural one.
Pool decks take a beating from chlorine, wet feet, and constant sun, so board choice and fastener type matter more here than anywhere else in the yard. We use stainless steel fasteners near the water line so you don't get rust streaks bleeding into the boards. Composite or capped PVC decking usually outlasts wood around a pool by a wide margin.
If the frame underneath is still sound but the boards have cupped, split, or gone gray, resurfacing replaces the decking without rebuilding the structure. We check every joist for rot first, because there's no point putting new boards over a bad frame. It's a faster, cheaper way to get a deck looking new again when the bones are still good.
A lot of homeowners want part of the deck open and part screened in to keep the bugs and afternoon rain out. We frame the screen enclosure to tie into the existing deck structure, not just bolt it on the side, so it doesn't rack or pull away over time. Roof tie-ins and screen frame spacing both matter for wind, especially this close to the coast.
Sometimes the cheapest long-term fix is tearing an old deck down to the footings and starting over, especially with widespread rot or termite damage. We check whether the existing footings can be reused before we price a full rebuild, since that alone can change the cost a lot. Either way, you get a deck built to current code, not whatever code applied when the old one went up.
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 crews cover Brandon and the wider Tampa Bay area for both new builds and repairs.
Questions that tend to come up once a deck project is actually underway.
Describe the problem and we will tell you what it probably is. No obligation.
