Deck Building and Renovation in Asheville, NC
New decks, rebuilds and screened porches on the sloped lots the mountains give us. Footings sized for the grade, ledgers flashed properly.
Most decks run $45 to $95 per square foot depending on height and material. Free estimate.
Mountain decks are structural, not decorative
A deck on flat ground is carpentry. A deck twelve feet off the downhill side of a Western North Carolina lot is structure – footings below frost depth, posts sized for the span and height, lateral load connections, and a ledger that is flashed and bolted to solid framing. Deck failures almost always happen at the ledger, and almost always because it was nailed through siding without flashing.
We build decks the way we build the ones on our new homes: engineered where the height requires it, permitted, inspected, and detailed so water runs off the house instead of into it.
What we build
- New decks. Single and multi-level, with stairs and landings worked out for the actual grade rather than drawn flat.
- Deck rebuilds. New framing and decking on a structure that has aged out, or a full replacement where the posts and footings are undersized.
- Screened porches. Roofed and screened, tied into the existing roofline, with the option of an outdoor fireplace or heaters.
- Covered decks. A roof over an existing deck, which usually needs the footings and posts upgraded to carry the load.
- Railings and stairs. Cable, metal picket, composite or wood, at code-required heights and spacing.
Decking materials
Pressure-treated pine is the value option and needs cleaning and sealing every couple of years. Composite and PVC boards cost more up front and effectively end the maintenance, which is why most of our clients choose them – Trex, TimberTech and Fiberon are what we install most. Hardwoods like ipe are beautiful, expensive and require a specific fastening approach. Framing underneath is pressure-treated on every one of them, with joist tape on the top edge so the fasteners are not sitting in trapped water.
Timeline and budget
Two to four weeks for most decks, plus permit review time. Screened porches run longer because of the roof structure. Decks generally price at $45 to $95 per square foot depending on height above grade, footing depth, railing type and decking material.
Where we work
Asheville, Hendersonville, Arden, Candler, Fletcher, Weaverville, Black Mountain, Mills River, Brevard and Waynesville.
How the project runs
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01
Site visit
We look at the grade, the connection point on the house and where footings can actually go.
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02
Design and estimate
Layout, height, stair runs and material, priced as a line-item scope.
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03
Permit
Submitted with the county, including engineering when the height or span requires it.
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04
Build
Footings and posts, framing, ledger flashing, decking, railings and stairs, with inspections along the way.
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05
Walk and warranty
Final inspection, walk-through and a two-year workmanship warranty.
Why homeowners choose Big Hills
- Licensed NC general contractorBuilding in Western North Carolina since 2018, 130+ homes delivered.
- One crew, start to finishIn-house carpenters and site supervisor instead of a chain of subs you never meet.
- Fixed written scopeYou approve selections and the number before demo day, so the budget holds.
- 2-year workmanship warrantyThe same warranty we put behind the homes we build from the ground up.
Frequently asked questions
What does a deck cost in Asheville?
Generally $45 to $95 per square foot. Height above grade is the biggest driver - a deck two feet off the ground costs far less per foot than the same deck twelve feet up on a sloped lot.
Composite or pressure-treated?
Composite costs more up front and removes almost all the maintenance. Pressure-treated is cheaper and needs washing and sealing every two to three years. On a deck you plan to keep ten years, composite usually wins on total cost.
Do decks need a permit here?
Yes, in Buncombe, Henderson and the surrounding counties, decks over 30 inches above grade or attached to the house require a permit and inspections. We handle both.
Can you repair my existing deck instead of replacing it?
If the footings, posts and ledger are sound, we can reframe or re-deck. If the posts are undersized or the ledger was never flashed, replacement is the safe answer and we will show you why on site.
Can you add a roof over my deck?
Often, but the existing footings and posts were probably not sized to carry roof load plus snow. We check that first, and upgrading them is part of the scope when needed.
How long does it take?
Two to four weeks on site for most decks. Permit review comes before that, and screened porches with a roof structure take longer.
Get a free in-home estimate
Tell us about the project. We walk the space, talk through scope and materials, and send a written estimate — no charge, no pressure.