New Deck Construction in Jacksonville, FL
A new deck starts with the yard, the house wall and the permit. Here is what gets decided before the first post goes in, so the job runs smoothly.
Around Mandarin, San Marco and nearby
Calls are recorded for quality assurance.
Decide the use first
Start with how the deck will be used: a grill and a table, a place to entertain, steps down to a pool or a spot to watch the yard. Use sets the size, the railing, the stairs and how much shade you want.
Bring a rough sketch or a phone photo of the yard. A builder can plan from that and visit later to measure.
Attached or freestanding
An attached deck is fastened to the house wall through a board called a ledger. This is the most common spot for trouble, because water that gets behind the ledger rots the wall and the board. A deck that stands on its own posts avoids that joint, but needs more posts near the house.
Ask which approach is planned and how the joint is flashed, which means covered with metal or membrane so water runs away from the wall.
Footings, posts and framing
Footings carry the load into the ground. Posts rest on them, and beams and joists sit on the posts. In sandy north Florida soil, builders still size footings for the load and the wind.
UF/IFAS Extension advises eliminating wood-to-ground contact and lists posts and decks as places where it happens. Ask how the wood is kept off the soil, and what lets rain drain away from the base of each post.
Hardware matters too. Near salt water, ask whether screws, joist hangers and brackets are made for exposure to salt and damp.
Railings and stairs
Railings and stairs are set by the building code, which depends on how high the deck sits above the ground. A low platform may need neither, while a second-story deck needs both. The builder checks the rules when the permit is drawn.
Think about the view and the upkeep. Wood rail needs stain, while metal and composite rail do not, though metal in salt air needs the right finish.
Permit and inspection
A new deck usually needs a permit, and the work is inspected. Read the permits page for what decides it.
Questions to ask
- Is the deck attached to the house or freestanding, and why?
- How are the footings sized, and how far is the wood from the soil?
- Which railing and stair rules apply at this height?
- Who handles the permit and the inspection?
- Which decking is planned, and what upkeep does it need? See composite or pressure-treated.
New deck questions
How big can a deck be?
Size is limited by the lot, the setbacks and the space the structure needs. The builder checks the lot when planning the permit.
Can a deck go over an existing patio?
Sometimes. The slab must be sound and drain, and the builder checks whether a new frame can sit on it.
When can I use the deck?
Once the final inspection passes and any stain or sealer has dried.
Ready when you are
Call now, or send the form. A local pro calls you back, usually the same business day.
Calls are recorded for quality assurance.