Deck Builders in University Place, WA

Homeowners who call deck builders in University Place tend to want two things at once: a deck that frames the water view and one that does not demand weekends of upkeep. The city fronts Puget Sound on its western edge, and Chambers Bay, the links course that hosted the 2015 U.S. Open, sits on reclaimed quarry land along that shore. Many lots slope toward the water, which means decks here are often elevated, multi-level or tucked against a daylight basement.

People stay, so decks get a second life

University Place has a settled population. Census estimates for 2020 to 2024 show 87.8% of residents living in the same house as a year earlier, and a median owner-occupied home value of $624,800. Long tenure tends to show up in the decks themselves: original wood decks that have been patched and restained for years, railings that no longer feel solid, and stairs that were built before anyone thought about how the yard would be used. For many of these homes, the real question is not whether to build a deck but whether to rebuild on the old footprint or redesign the space entirely.

Rebuild, resurface or start over

• Resurface: new decking and railing on existing framing, only when the joists, beams and posts test sound
• Rebuild: a full tear-off and new framing on the same footprint, often with new footings
• Redesign: a different shape, an added level, a covered section or a new stair route down to the lawn

We probe the framing during the estimate and give you a recommendation in writing, with the reasons.

Elevated decks on sloping lots

A deck that steps off the main floor of a house on a downhill lot can sit high above grade on the far side. Those decks need careful post and beam layout, solid bracing and a well-detailed connection to the house. They also need guards on the open sides and a stair layout that lands somewhere sensible. Where the view is the point, we often suggest cable, glass or slim aluminum railing infill so the guard does not block the horizon from a seated position.

Rain, shade and the case for composite

The South Sound's wet season runs roughly from fall through spring, and decks under mature firs stay damp even longer. That is where moss, algae and soft boards come from. Composite and capped decking will not rot and can be cleaned with a soft brush and water, which is why long-time owners often ask about it. If you prefer real wood, we frame for airflow and drainage and can put you on a staining and sealing schedule that keeps the boards protected.

Covered space for the shoulder seasons

A roof over part of the deck, or a pergola with a solid or louvered top, can turn a summer-only deck into one you use for morning coffee in April and October. A covered section also protects the house wall and the decking beneath it from constant wetting. A roof adds structural load and usually more permit review, so we plan it from the start rather than adding it later.

Permits are handled by the City

University Place has been its own city since August 31, 1995, and deck permits are reviewed by the City of University Place rather than Pierce County. Rules on height, attachment, setbacks and any shoreline or steep-slope review can affect your design, so we confirm what applies to your lot before we finalize drawings and include permit work in our written scope.

Start with a site visit

Call (253) 525-5245 to set up a free estimate. We look at the slope, sun, existing structure and the view you want to protect, and follow up with a written quote.

Get a Free Estimate