Deck Builder | Vantage Decks

HOW A NEW DECK GETS BUILT

Plan set before shovel, permit before crew.

Four steps, in order. Skipping the first two is how a deck ends up torn out by an inspector.

Measured plan

We walk the yard, measure the height off grade, and draw a plan set sized to your actual lot, not a generic layout.

Permit filed

We submit the zoning and building applications for you and track them until they clear.

Framed to code

Joist and beam sizing follows the current Residential Code of Ohio span tables (see our Licking County permit guide for the actual numbers). Framing, footing and span figures we give before permit are advisory: final member sizes are confirmed on the stamped plan with the local building authority at permit.

Decking, railing, cleanup

Boards run, railing set, site cleared. You get the inspection card for your file.

MATERIAL FOCUS

Trex and composite installation.

Framing does not change, fastening does

The frame underneath a composite or Trex deck follows the same span and footing rules as wood. What changes is the fastening system: hidden clips instead of face screws, run to the manufacturer's pattern.

Capped composite is a tier, not a brand

Trex is one capped composite brand among several. Our composite tier covers capped composite generally: run it in the estimator to see the range before picking a specific product.

PVC is the step up

Fully synthetic PVC boards cost more than capped composite and do not use a wood core at all. It is a separate tier in the estimator, not a composite variant.

One crew, either material

Framing, fastening pattern, and cleanup come from the same crew regardless of which composite or PVC product you pick.

DECK BUILDER COST, INSTALLED

Run your own numbers with the estimator.

Treated pine

$60–72/sq ft

Cedar

$68–82/sq ft

Capped composite

$74–92/sq ft

PVC / premium

$86–112/sq ft

Includes design, permit filing, footings to 42 inches, framing, decking, standard railing and cleanup. Height above four feet, stairs, lighting and screen walls are quoted on top.

DECK BUILDER QUESTIONS

Asked before the first visit, answered here.

How long does a new deck take, start to finish?

Plan on a couple of weeks from signing to a shovel in the ground for a straightforward permit, longer if a design review board applies where you live. Once the crew starts, build time depends on size and height off grade.

Do I have to pick the material before I get a price?

No. Run the estimator with a few widths and materials side by side, then decide. Treated pine, cedar, capped composite and PVC all price differently and we'll tell you honestly which one is wrong for your yard.

Who files the permit?

We do. Zoning certificate first, then the county or city building permit, in whatever order your address requires.

What happens if my deck needs to be more than four feet off the ground?

The framing gets heavier, guard rail loads matter more, and stairs stop being an afterthought. It is quoted on top of the base square-footage price once we see the actual drop from your door to grade.

OTHER WORK WE DO

Deck Repair

Rebuild what is already there

Staining & Sealing

Protect the deck you have

Railing

Replace or add railing alone