Deck building
Deck building in Lancaster County, from footings to the last fastener
Josh builds new decks and replaces old ones in pressure-treated lumber and composite. The frame is the same either way: footings below frost, a bolted and flashed ledger, and joists sized for the decking. The surface is your choice.
In short
A lot of the decks in the subdivisions around Lititz, Manheim Township, Mount Joy and Lebanon were built in the 1990s and 2000s with pressure-treated lumber and a few too many shortcuts. Twenty years on, the boards are splintered, the railings wobble, and the ledger is a question mark. Replacing those decks is a big part of the deck work Fox Gables does. New decks on newer houses and on older homes that never had one are the rest.
Josh builds the frame to the current code, which is stricter than it was in 2005: through-bolted ledgers with flashing, lateral ties, post bases above the concrete, and joist spacing that suits the decking.
Decking materials
The frame is pressure-treated southern pine in every case. The decking and railing are where the choice is.
| Decking | Installed, per sq ft | Maintenance | Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $40 to $55 | Seal every 2 to 3 years | 15 to 20 years |
| Composite, standard line | $60 to $80 | Wash | 25 years and more |
| Composite, premium capped | $75 to $95 | Wash | 30 years and more |
| PVC decking | $80 to $105 | Wash | 30 years and more |
Railings
Railings are a quarter of a deck's cost and most of what people touch. Options run from pressure-treated 2x2 balusters at the low end, through black aluminum balusters in a wood or composite top rail, to full aluminum or composite railing systems and cable rail. Josh blocks and through-bolts every post so the railing does not move when you lean on it, which is the thing cheap decks get wrong first.
Stairs, landings and the ground
Stairs get cut stringers at 16 inches on center, not two stringers with a lot of flex, and a concrete or paver landing at the bottom. Decks more than a couple of feet off the ground get lattice or horizontal skirting. Under the deck, Josh lays landscape fabric and stone so you are not mowing under there.
Deck replacement
When an old deck comes out, Josh checks the footings before quoting. If they are below the frost line and the concrete is sound, the new deck can go on them, which saves the digging and a fair amount of money. If they are shallow pads, which many 1990s decks were set on, new footings get dug. The ledger area on the house gets inspected for rot, and the rim joist is repaired if the old ledger let water in.
Price guide
What this usually costs
Typical new-deck prices in Lancaster and Lebanon counties, 2026, including footings, frame, decking, railing, one set of stairs, permit and cleanup.
- Pressure-treated, 10 by 12 feet
- $7,000 to $9,500
- Pressure-treated, 12 by 16 feet
- $9,000 to $13,000
- Composite, 12 by 16 feet
- $15,000 to $22,000
- Composite, 16 by 20 feet
- $22,000 to $32,000
- Composite, two-level, 400 sq ft
- $28,000 to $42,000
- Aluminum railing system, added over wood
- $45 to $80 per linear foot
- Replacement on sound existing footings
- Deduct 15 to 25 percent
Decks more than 6 feet off the ground, hard clay or rock digging, and sloped yards push a job up the range.
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
How much does a deck cost in Lancaster County?
Most new decks land between $9,000 and $25,000 depending on size and whether the decking is wood or composite. The table above gives ranges by size.
Which composite brand is best?
Trex, TimberTech and Fiberon all make good capped composite. The differences are color ranges and warranty terms. Josh brings samples and recommends based on what you want it to look like.
How long before I can use a pressure-treated deck?
Right away for use. Wait a few months before sealing so the wood dries out.
Can you add a deck to a second-story door?
Yes. Elevated decks need bigger posts and bracing and a longer stair run, and Josh builds them regularly.
Do you build free-standing decks?
Yes. A free-standing deck avoids the ledger entirely, which is sometimes the right answer on a house with a cantilevered floor or a stone wall.
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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