Custom Deck Construction

Custom Deck Building for Northern California Homes

Ogden Construction designs and builds Trex, composite, and redwood decks for homes across El Dorado County, Lake Tahoe, and Greater Sacramento. Each deck is planned around the home, the property, and the way the space will be used.

View Recent Deck Projects
  • Serving the region since 2008
  • California contractor license 1042758
  • Licensed, insured, and bonded
  • Local, hands-on project leadership
Finished custom deck overlooking Lake Tahoe at sunset
A finished custom deck built for a Northern California home.Deck building

Built Around the Property

A Custom Deck Starts With More Than a Floor Plan

A good deck should feel like part of the home. The size, height, stairs, railings, and materials should match the property and support the way your family wants to use the space.

Ogden Construction starts by looking at the house, grade, access, views, drainage, and existing structures. From there, the team helps shape a clear deck construction plan instead of forcing the same layout onto every home.

01

Site-Specific Planning

The layout is shaped around the home, slope, access, views, and outdoor use.

02

Clear Material Choices

Compare Trex, other composite decking, and redwood based on look, upkeep, weather, and budget.

03

Complete Deck Scope

Plan the framing, decking, stairs, railings, trim, and related structural work as one project.

04

Hands-On Management

Ogden Construction stays involved from the first site review through the final walkthrough.

Custom Deck Design

Plan the Deck Around How You Will Use It

A custom deck should fit the home and make outdoor time easier. Thinking through daily use early helps shape the size, layout, stairs, railings, and material choices.

Before the layout is set, it helps to decide what you want the deck to do. Some homeowners need a simple place to sit outside. Others need room for meals, gatherings, stairs, or better access to a sloped yard.

Everyday Outdoor Living

Create a comfortable space for seating, relaxing, and spending more time outside.

Dining and Grilling

Plan enough room for a table, grill, walking paths, and safe movement between the house and yard.

Views and Elevated Space

Use an elevated or second-story deck to make the most of a view while planning the supports, stairs, and railings together.

Better Yard Access

Add stairs and landings that create a clear path between the home, deck, and lower yard.

Sloped Properties

Use a custom layout to work with uneven ground instead of losing useful outdoor space.

Separate Activity Areas

Create clear zones for seating, meals, gathering, and moving through the deck without making the layout feel crowded.

Size and Traffic Flow

The deck should have enough room for furniture and activities without blocking doors, stairs, or walkways.

Height and Access

Deck height affects stairs, railings, support, views, and the way the deck connects to the home.

Sun and Weather

Sun exposure, heat, snow, and moisture can affect board color, surface feel, upkeep, and material choice.

Views and Privacy

The layout and railing style can help protect a view, create privacy, or balance both goals.

Long-Term Maintenance

Think about how much cleaning, staining, or routine care you want to handle after the deck is built.

Deck Construction Options

Custom Decks for Yards, Slopes, and Elevated Homes

The right deck type depends on the home, the land, and how people will move through the space. Ogden Construction builds several deck styles across the region.

01

Ground-Level and Backyard Decks

Create a useful outdoor area for dining, seating, grilling, and time with family or friends.

  • Layouts planned around doors, walkways, and yard access
  • Space for seating, tables, grills, and everyday use
  • Material choices based on sun, weather, upkeep, and budget
02

Elevated and Hillside Decks

Add outdoor space to a sloped lot or raised home while planning for access, support, drainage, and views.

  • Site review for slope, grade, and construction access
  • Framing and support planned around the approved design
  • Stairs and railings included in the full deck scope
03

Second-Story Decks and Exterior Stairs

Connect an upper floor to an outdoor living space with a deck, stair system, and safe railing plan.

  • Access planned around the home and existing openings
  • Exterior stairs designed as part of the deck layout
  • Railings and edge details chosen for safety and appearance
04

Custom and Multi-Level Deck Layouts

Use different levels or zones to work with the land and create separate areas for gathering, dining, or enjoying the view.

  • Layouts shaped around grade changes and usable space
  • Clear paths between doors, stairs, seating, and yard areas
  • One coordinated plan for framing, surfaces, railings, and trim

Materials and Finishes

Trex, Composite, and Redwood Decking

Decking affects the look, upkeep, surface feel, and long-term care of the finished deck. Ogden Construction helps homeowners compare the choices before the final scope is set.

Trex and Composite Decking

Composite decking is a lower-maintenance choice with many colors, board styles, and finish options.

  • Does not need regular staining like natural wood
  • Offers a consistent look across the deck surface
  • Color and heat should be considered for sunny properties
  • Upfront cost is often higher than basic wood decking
Best for: Homeowners who want less routine upkeep and a consistent finished look.

Redwood Decking

Redwood gives a deck a warm, natural look that fits many foothill and mountain homes.

  • Can be cleaned, stained, and refinished over time
  • Needs routine care to protect its appearance
  • Board tone and grain create a natural wood finish
  • Maintenance needs depend on sun, moisture, and exposure
Best for: Homeowners who prefer real wood and are comfortable with regular care.

Railings and Finish Details

Railings, stairs, fascia, and trim complete the deck and affect how the whole project looks and functions.

  • Wood, metal, composite, and hog-panel railing styles may fit different homes
  • Open railing designs can help preserve outdoor views
  • Stair width, landings, and access should be planned early
  • Finish details should match the deck material and home exterior
Best for: Every deck project that needs a complete and well-planned finish.

More Than Deck Boards

The Details That Make a Deck Work

A finished deck depends on the structure below it and the way each part connects. These details should be planned together, not added as an afterthought.

01

Framing and Support

The framing plan responds to deck height, layout, property conditions, and the approved project documents.

02

Footings and Site Conditions

Slope, soil, drainage, and access can affect how the deck is supported and how the work is staged.

03

Stairs and Landings

Stairs should provide a clear path between the home, deck, and yard while fitting the overall layout.

04

Railings and Guards

Railing design affects safety, views, style, and how open or private the finished space feels.

05

Drainage and Water Movement

The plan should account for runoff, nearby grade, and the way water moves around the home and deck.

06

Home and Deck Transitions

Door access, siding, trim, steps, and the connection to the house need careful planning for a clean finished result.

Built for Local Conditions

Deck Planning for Valley, Foothill, and Mountain Homes

Northern California properties can face very different weather and site conditions. The plan should match the property instead of using one standard answer for every home.

Foothill Slopes and Uneven Ground

Grade changes can affect deck height, stairs, supports, drainage, material delivery, and jobsite access.

Lake Tahoe Weather

Snow, moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, elevation, and seasonal access can shape materials, structural planning, and scheduling.

Sacramento and Folsom Heat

Strong sun and hot summers can affect board color, surface heat, shade, and long-term material care.

Tight or Limited Access

Narrow yards, steep driveways, nearby homes, and limited staging space can change how materials and crews reach the work area.

Existing Deck Removal

When an old structure is present, demolition, disposal, hidden damage, and the condition of the home connection may affect the scope.

Plans, Permits, and Engineering

Requirements depend on the deck and location. Ogden Construction can help coordinate the needed steps around the approved scope.

What to Expect

From the First Site Visit to the Final Walkthrough

A clear process helps homeowners make decisions early and gives the crew a practical plan to follow during construction.

  1. 1

    Consultation and Site Review

    Discuss your goals, look at the property, review access and grade, and identify the type of deck that may fit the home.

  2. 2

    Layout, Materials, and Scope

    Work through the deck size, height, materials, stairs, railings, demolition, and major site factors that belong in the project.

  3. 3

    Plans and Approvals

    When the project requires plans, permits, engineering, or inspections, those steps are coordinated before and during the build.

  4. 4

    Construction and Final Review

    The crew completes the approved work, keeps the site organized, and walks through the finished deck with the homeowner.

Planning the Budget

What Changes the Scope of a Deck Project?

No two deck estimates are the same. The final scope depends on the design, materials, property, and amount of structural work needed.

Read the Northern California Deck Cost Guide
  • Overall deck size and shape
  • Deck height and number of levels
  • Trex, composite, or redwood material choice
  • Framing, footings, and structural complexity
  • Number and layout of stairs and landings
  • Railing style and finish details
  • Slope, drainage, and jobsite access
  • Removal and disposal of an existing deck
  • Plans, permits, engineering, and inspections when required

Common questions

Custom Deck Builder Frequently Asked Questions

What types of custom decks does Ogden Construction build?

Ogden Construction builds ground-level, elevated, hillside, second-story, and custom multi-level decks. The final layout depends on the home, grade, access, views, and how the outdoor space will be used.

Do you build Trex, composite, and redwood decks?

Yes. Ogden Construction works with Trex, other composite decking, and redwood. The team can help you compare appearance, upkeep, sun exposure, weather, and budget before choosing a material.

Can you build an elevated or second-story deck?

Yes. Ogden Construction has completed elevated and second-story deck work with exterior stairs and railings. These projects need careful planning around height, access, support, and the connection to the home.

Can stairs and railings be included in the deck project?

Yes. Stairs, landings, railings, fascia, trim, and related details can be planned as part of the full deck scope. The options depend on the layout, height, style, and approved project plan.

How do I choose between redwood and composite decking?

Redwood offers a natural wood look and can be refinished, but it needs routine care. Composite costs more upfront in many cases, but it needs less regular maintenance. The best choice depends on the look, upkeep, weather, and budget you prefer.

What affects the cost of building a custom deck?

The main factors include deck size, height, layout, materials, framing, stairs, railings, slope, access, demolition, and any plans, permits, engineering, or inspections required for the project.

Can Ogden Construction help with permits and inspections?

Yes. Ogden Construction can help coordinate plans, permits, engineering, and inspections when they are required. The exact process depends on the property, deck design, and local jurisdiction.

How long does a custom deck project take?

The schedule depends on the deck size, site conditions, design, approvals, material lead times, weather, and structural work. Ogden Construction reviews these factors before setting the project schedule.

What areas does Ogden Construction serve?

The main service area includes El Dorado County, Lake Tahoe, and Greater Sacramento. Key communities include Placerville, South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Sacramento, Auburn, Cameron Park, Pollock Pines, and Camino.

Does Ogden Construction also repair or replace existing decks?

Yes. Ogden Construction can review older decks for damaged boards, stairs, railings, rot, and structural concerns. The condition of the full structure helps determine whether repair or replacement makes more sense.

Hiring a Deck Contractor

What to Look for in a Custom Deck Builder

The right deck contractor should understand more than the surface boards. A complete deck project also involves the site, structure, stairs, railings, drainage, access, and connection to the home.

Before choosing a contractor, compare the full project plan instead of looking at one number alone. A clear estimate should explain what is included and how the proposed deck fits the property.

A Current Contractor License

Confirm that the contractor is properly licensed for the work and provides clear business information.

A Site-Specific Plan

The contractor should review the home, slope, access, drainage, existing structures, and intended use before setting the scope.

Clear Material Options

You should understand the appearance, upkeep, weather concerns, and major cost differences between the materials being considered.

A Complete Written Scope

The proposal should make it clear whether framing, decking, stairs, railings, demolition, disposal, and finish details are included.

Real Project Examples

Completed work can show whether the contractor has experience with the materials, deck heights, terrain, and property conditions involved in your project.

A Clear Approval Process

The contractor should explain how plans, permits, engineering, and inspections will be handled when they apply.

Consistent Communication

Homeowners should know who is managing the project, how decisions are made, and how changes will be discussed.

We respect your privacy. Your information will only be used to respond to your project request.

Start With a Local Site Review

Ready to Plan a Custom Deck for Your Home?

Tell Ogden Construction what you want to build and where the property is located. The team will review your goals and help you understand the next step.

View the Deck Portfolio