Services · Free written estimates
Deck builder and porch contractor in Lebanon and Lancaster County, PA
Decks and porches built for Pennsylvania weather
A deck in Pennsylvania takes freeze and thaw, wet springs and hot summers. We build with pressure-treated framing, proper ledger flashing and footings below frost line, then finish with composite or wood decking and railings that meet code.
PennsylvaniaafterWhy Amazing Builders
Why homeowners call us for decks and porches
We check the frame before we sell you a deck
Ledger, joists, posts, footings, probed with an awl. If the frame is sound, new boards on it cost about half of a new deck, and we say so.
Built for Pennsylvania winters
Footings below the 36-inch frost line, a bolted and flashed ledger, joist tape, hidden fasteners, gaps set to the temperature on the day.
Wood or composite, honestly
Composite costs more once and needs nothing after. Treated wood costs less and needs stain every few years. We build both and tell you which fits your patience.
Permits and inspections handled
Almost every township requires a permit for a deck attached to the house. We draw it, file it and meet the inspector.
What is included
Everything from the first day to the last coat of paint
If your frame is sound and only the boards are tired, resurfacing with new composite decking costs far less than a rebuild.
- New deck construction, composite or wood
- Deck resurfacing on an existing frame
- Railings, vinyl, composite or metal
- Stairs and landings
- Porch repair and rebuilding
- Staining and sealing
Our work
Decks and porches we have done
Every photo is from our own jobs. The stamp shows where and when it was taken.
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Weathered wood deck replaced with composite decking
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PennsylvaniaAug 2022afterNew composite deck with white vinyl railings and a wide stair
Pennsylvania · August 2022
PennsylvaniaFeb 2023afterDeck resurfacing in February: new composite boards and stairs, original railings kept
Pennsylvania · February 2023
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PennsylvaniaFeb 2023afterHow we do it
Decks and porches, step by step
- 1
Site and frame inspection
For a new deck, the ground, the slope and the house wall. For an existing one, the four-point frame check. Written estimate with railings and stairs as their own lines.
- 2
Design and permit
A drawing with the size, height, railing and stair locations. Submitted to the township; one to three weeks.
- 3
Footings and frame
Concrete footings below frost line, posts on metal bases, a bolted and flashed ledger, treated joists at 16 inches with taped tops.
- 4
Decking
Composite or wood boards, hidden fasteners, picture-frame border, gaps by the chart.
- 5
Railings and stairs
Posts sleeved or set, rail system installed at code height, stairs with closed risers and a wide run.
- 6
Inspection and walkthrough
Final inspection, then a walk around with you before the ladders go in the truck.
Options
Decking and railings
| Composite decking | Twenty-five-year warranties, no stain, hotter in full sun. What most of our clients choose. |
|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | Cheapest, real wood, needs stain every two to three years. |
| Vinyl railings | White, maintenance-free, chunkier profile. Matches white trim. |
| Aluminum and composite railings | Slimmer, black is the current look, cost more. |
| Wood railings | Cheapest, painted or stained with the deck. |
| Porch roofs and screens | Framed and roofed to tie into the house, screened or open. |
What it costs
Typical ranges
Typical installed ranges for Lebanon County, not a quote. Railings, stairs and the permit are on top of the square-foot number.
- Treated wood deck
- $20 to $36 per sq. ft.
- Composite deck
- $36 to $66 per sq. ft.
- Porches, open to screened
- $30 to $135 per sq. ft.
Pennsylvania requires a written contract for any home improvement job over $500. Every estimate we send is itemized.
About Amazing Builders
A small crew that does the whole job
Amazing Builders is a remodeling and painting company based at 3564 S 5th Ave, Myerstown, PA 17067, run by Dennis Drahni. Our crew does the carpentry, tile, floors, drywall and paint; licensed electricians and plumbers handle the rough-in. 5.0 stars from 30 Google reviews, monday to friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. PA Home Improvement Contractor #T002681.
Decks and porches: questions people ask us
How do I know if my deck can be resurfaced?
We probe the joists, check the ledger bolts and flashing and look at the post bottoms. If all four pass, new boards go on the old frame. We do this for free at the walkthrough.
Can a deck be built in winter?
Boards and railings, yes. Footings need ground that is not frozen hard, so new decks usually start in spring or fall.
Why does composite get hot?
Dark boards in full sun absorb heat. Lighter colors and a bit of shade help. Wood stays cooler but needs stain.
Do you reuse my railings?
If they are sound and at code height, yes. A long deck we resurfaced kept its railings for a later phase on purpose.
How long does a new deck take?
A 12-by-16 deck, one to two weeks including footings and the inspection. A screened porch, two to four weeks.
What is the right deck height for stairs?
Anything over 30 inches off the ground needs a railing. We build the stair as wide as the yard allows; a wide stair makes the yard part of the deck.
Free estimate
Planning decks and porches? Tell us about it.
Send a few lines or call. We will set a time to walk through the house and you will have a written, itemized estimate a few days later.
Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm