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Service 11 / 16

Decks and Patios

Real Deal Builders designs and builds decks, patios, and patio covers as real outdoor rooms rather than afterthoughts. We build the structure to code, with proper footings, flashing, and railings, so the space is safe underfoot and stays sound through the seasons. Alongside wood and composite decks, we handle patio construction in concrete, pavers, and natural stone, so the ground level surface matches the rest of the outdoor plan. A deck or patio cover carries weight and takes weather, so the parts you do not see, the footings, the ledger connection, the flashing, are what keep it standing and dry.

Covered patio with a white pergola, stone fire pit, and stepped paver seating area off the back of a house
Typical timeline
Days to a couple weeks
Trades we manage
Framing, decking, concrete, pavers, roofing, electric
Permits
Often required
Typical scope
Ground level paver patio to raised covered deck

Behind the work

How this comes together

01

Built to code, from the footings up

An outdoor structure lives or dies on the parts nobody photographs. We set proper footings so the structure does not settle or heave, flash the ledger where a deck attaches to the house so water cannot get behind it and rot the framing, and build railings and stairs to code so the space is safe for everyone who uses it. A deck that pulls away from the house or a cover that leaks at the wall is almost always a failure at one of these hidden connections.

We build with materials matched to the use, from pressure treated framing to composite decking that shrugs off sun and moisture, and we detail the finish so the edges, posts, and transitions look intentional.

02

An outdoor room designed around how you live

Before we build, we talk about how you want to use the space, whether that is dining, shade, a spot for the grill, or simply somewhere to sit in the evening. Patio construction with concrete, pavers, or natural stone follows the same idea: the surface material fits the way the yard is used.

We can add outdoor lighting and the finish details that make a deck or patio usable after dark and comfortable through the year, so it becomes a part of the house you actually use.

Deck anatomy cross section with IRC 2021 code specs Side view of a residential deck showing house wall, flashed ledger, band joist, joists with hangers, beam and post, footing below frost depth, and railing with 36 inch minimum height and 4 inch maximum baluster spacing. Deck anatomy, hidden connections Per IRC 2021 residential deck code Grade Frost depth (footing must extend below) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 · Ledger flashing Corrosion resistant, keeps water out of framing. 2 · Ledger board Min 2x8 pressure treated, bolted to band joist. 3 · Joist hangers Every joist, correct nail schedule. 4 · Beam bearing Min 1.5" wood/metal, 3" masonry/concrete. 5 · Post Anchored to concrete pier, not buried in soil. 6 · Footing Extends below frost depth so it does not heave. 7 · Railing 36" min height above 30" grade. 4" max baluster gap.
What a code compliant deck looks like where you cannot see it. A deck lives or dies on the hidden connections. Ledger flashing, band joist, joist hangers, beam bearing, and footings below frost depth are what keep a deck standing and dry. Numbers below are from the 2021 International Residential Code.

What this service includes

  • Wood and composite decks, framed and finished to code
  • Patio covers, pergolas, and shade structures
  • Patio construction in concrete, pavers, and natural stone
  • Footings, ledger flashing, and railings done correctly
  • Outdoor lighting and finish details

Recent work

Decks and Patios in the Santa Clarita Valley

Covered wood deck with white railing, a ceiling fan, and a finished composite deck surface
Outdoor living space with a stone clad kitchen and fireplace under a shingled roof, opening onto a paver patio

Working with us

From first call to final walkthrough

  1. 01

    Free walk

    We come to your home or site, talk through what you want to change, and ask the questions that shape an accurate scope.

  2. 02

    Written quote

    A detailed, honest, written quote lands in your inbox. You know the scope and the number before any work begins.

  3. 03

    Trades in order

    We sequence the trades so each one sets up the next, with one point of contact holding the whole project together.

  4. 04

    Punch and walkthrough

    We walk every finish with you, correct anything on the list, and do not close the job until it is done rather than promised for later.

Common questions

Frequently asked

The questions we hear most often, answered plainly. If your question is not here, call us and we will answer it the same way.

Do outdoor structures need a permit?

Many do, depending on size, height, and whether the structure attaches to the house. Larger decks, covers over a certain area, and anything with a roofed structure typically need one. We handle the determination and the permitting.

Wood or composite decking, which is better?

Wood costs less up front and can look beautiful, but it needs regular cleaning, sealing, and eventual board replacement. Composite costs more at install and asks for very little upkeep beyond a hose down.

Do you build concrete and paver patios too?

Yes. Patio construction in concrete, pavers, and natural stone is part of the standard scope, so we can put together the right ground level surface for your yard. Concrete is durable and simple, pavers give a richer look and are easier to lift and repair if a section settles.

How long does a deck or patio cover take to build?

Most projects run from several days for a simple ground level patio to a couple of weeks for a full deck or a covered structure. Permit approval time is often the biggest variable.

Can you match a cover to my existing house?

Yes. We design the structure to match the roof pitch, the siding, and the trim detail of your home so it reads as part of the house rather than an add on.

Do you build both attached and freestanding structures?

Yes. We build patio covers and decks attached to the house, as well as freestanding pergolas, shade structures, and detached decks.

How much does a deck or patio cost?

Cost is driven by size, materials, height off grade, whether a permit and inspection are involved, and any lighting, railing, or built in features. We price against a written scope.

How long does a deck last?

A properly built wood deck with regular maintenance lasts twenty to thirty years. A composite deck often outlasts that. The framing lasts longer than the decking boards in either case.

Can you add lighting and outlets to a deck or patio?

Yes. Low voltage stair and post lighting, ceiling fans and lights on a covered patio, and weatherproof outlets for grills and heaters are common additions we handle as part of the build.

Will a deck or patio add value to my home?

A well built, well designed outdoor space typically returns a real share of its cost at resale, and beyond the resale number it adds usable square footage you actually enjoy while you own the house.

Planning a project like this?

When you are ready for a number on your own project, we will walk it with you and put the price in writing.