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Service 10 / 11

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.

Explore the areas we serve →

Covered patio with a white pergola, stone fire pit, and stepped paver seating area off the back of a house
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

Process

How this comes together

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.

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 California Residential Code specs Side view of a residential deck showing house wall, flashed ledger, band joist, joists with hangers, beam and post, footing bearing on undisturbed ground, and railing with 42 inch minimum height and 4 inch maximum baluster spacing. Deck anatomy, hidden connections Per California Residential Code Grade 12 in. min. below undisturbed ground 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 Bears on undisturbed ground, not on fill. 7 · Railing 42" min height above 30" grade. 4" max baluster gap.
Scroll or swipe to see the full diagram. 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 carried down to undisturbed ground are what keep a deck standing and dry. Guard heights and opening limits below are from the California Residential Code. Sources: 2025 California Residential Code, Title 24 Part 2.5, section R321.1.2, guard height, effective 1 January 2026. Section R321.1.3, guard opening limitations

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

For reference

Decks and Patios in pictures

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

From first call to final walkthrough

A clear process. A better experience.

  1. 01

    Site Consultation

    We visit your home or property, listen to your goals, assess the space, and establish the scope of work.

  2. 02

    Detailed Proposal

    You receive a written scope and a fixed price before any construction begins.

  3. 03

    Expert Coordination

    We coordinate every trade and phase in the proper sequence, with one dedicated point of contact keeping the project moving.

  4. 04

    Final Walkthrough

    We review the completed work with you, address any final details, and make sure everything meets the Real Deal standard before we close the project.

Cities we serve

Real Deal Builders delivers this service across the twenty cities we serve, from the Santa Clarita Valley into the San Fernando Valley. These pages cover the work city by city.

FAQ

Common questions

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?

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?