Decks and porches
Decks and porches built to last longer than the house's next owner
A deck or porch is the one project where you see the structure. Footings below frost, joists sized right, ledger flashed and bolted, railings that do not wobble. Josh builds decks in pressure-treated and composite, and porches with real roofs, across Lancaster and Lebanon counties.
In short
Decks and porches fail at the same three places: the ledger board where the deck attaches to the house, the footings, and the railings. A ledger that was nailed instead of bolted and never flashed rots the rim joist of the house and eventually drops the deck. Footings that were not dug below the frost line heave every winter. Railings attached with lag screws into end grain wobble within a year.
Fox Gables builds decks and porches the way the code and common sense require: footings dug and inspected, ledger through-bolted and flashed, joists at 12 or 16 inches on center for the decking, railings with blocking and through-bolts, and stairs with stringers that are not going to crack. Then the decking and railing in whatever material and style you want.
Decks
Pressure-treated decks are the economical choice and still the majority of new decks in the county. Composite decking (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon and similar) costs more up front, never needs sealing, does not splinter, and is what most homeowners choose when they plan to be in the house a while. Either way the frame underneath is pressure-treated lumber, built the same. See the deck building page for sizes, materials and prices.
Porches
A porch is a deck with a roof, which makes it a bigger job: posts that carry roof load, beams sized for the span, and a roof tied into the house with flashing that will not leak into the room below. Front porches on the brick homes in Ephrata, Lititz, Manheim and Lebanon are the common rebuild. Porch roofs over existing patios and decks, and screened porches, are the common new build. See the porch construction page.
Permits and inspections
Nearly every township and borough in Lancaster and Lebanon counties requires a building permit for a deck or porch attached to the house or more than 30 inches off the ground, with inspections of the footings and the framing before the decking goes on. Josh prepares the drawing, files the permit, schedules the inspections and is on site for them. It is part of the price.
Decks on properties with a homeowners association may also need HOA approval. Josh can provide the drawing and material list the HOA asks for.
What a Fox Gables deck or porch includes
Every deck and porch estimate lists these by name.
- Footings dug below the 36-inch frost line, inspected, with concrete piers and post bases
- Pressure-treated frame with joist hangers, hurricane ties and proper fasteners
- Ledger board through-bolted to the house rim joist with flashing above and below
- Decking and railing in the material you choose, with hidden fasteners on composite
- Stairs with cut stringers at 16 inches on center and a landing pad
- Railings at 36 inches with balusters at less than 4 inches, blocked and through-bolted
- Permit, drawing and inspections handled
- Debris removed and the yard raked
Price guide
What this usually costs
Typical ranges for decks and porches in Lancaster and Lebanon counties, 2026, including permits. Exact numbers after Josh looks at the site.
- Pressure-treated deck, 12 by 16 feet with stairs and railing
- $9,000 to $13,000
- Composite deck, 12 by 16 feet with stairs and railing
- $15,000 to $22,000
- Composite deck, 16 by 20 feet, two levels
- $26,000 to $40,000
- Deck rebuild on existing sound footings
- 20 to 30 percent less
- Covered front porch, 8 by 20 feet, new
- $20,000 to $38,000
- Porch roof over an existing deck or patio, 12 by 14
- $8,000 to $16,000
- Screened porch, 12 by 14 feet
- $28,000 to $48,000
Height off the ground, sloped yards, hard digging and roof tie-ins are what move a job within a range.
On the job
Composite decking with a matching railing 
Porch roof framing tied into the building
How a job goes
From the first call to the walkthrough
- 1
Call or send the form
Josh calls back the same day, usually within a couple of hours. Tell him what is going on and he will ask a few questions.
- 2
Josh comes out and looks
On the roof, in the attic, under the deck. He measures, takes photos, and brings samples in the truck. No sales presentation.
- 3
You get a written estimate
Materials named by brand, the scope spelled out, a price that does not expire at midnight. Over $500 it is a written contract, as Pennsylvania requires.
- 4
The work gets done
Materials delivered, the job done by Josh with help as the job needs, the site cleaned every day, permits and inspections handled.
- 5
Walkthrough, then you pay
Josh walks the finished job with you. Anything on the list gets done. Final payment when you are satisfied.
Questions people ask
Do I need a permit for a deck in Lancaster County?
In nearly every municipality, yes, if the deck is attached to the house or more than 30 inches off the ground. Josh handles it.
Pressure-treated or composite?
Pressure-treated costs about 40 percent less and needs sealing every couple of years. Composite costs more and needs nothing. Most people who plan to stay choose composite.
Can you rebuild my old deck on the same footings?
If the footings are below frost and sound, yes, and it saves a good share of the cost. Josh digs next to one to check.
How long does a deck take?
A week to ten days for a typical deck including the inspection waits. Porches with roofs take two to three weeks.
Do you build porches on old brick houses?
Yes. Rebuilding sagging front porches on the brick twins and singles in Ephrata, Lititz and Lebanon is a regular job.
Free estimate
Get a number, not a pitch.
Tell Josh what the house needs. He will call back, come out, measure, and give you a written estimate with the materials named.
(717) 598-7728Calls and texts answered seven days a week. Estimates by appointment, Monday to Saturday.
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