Licensed & Insured Deck Contractor
The layout, levels and footprint decided on paper — where footings, guards and stair requirements are cheap to change — by the crew that will build it.
Deck design decides more than how a deck looks. The layout on paper — how many levels, how far above grade, where the stairs land — is what sets the footings, the framing, and which code requirements the build has to satisfy. Get that layout wrong and the decisions get made twice: loosely on paper, then expensively once a framer or a township inspector catches the mistake.
We draw for Bergen and Passaic County homes because the same company that designs a deck also builds it, through Deck Installation. Every choice below — how many footings a layout needs, whether a guard is required at all, which stair numbers apply, and whether the plan needs an engineer's seal — gets checked against the code at the drawing stage, not discovered afterward. The sections below explain which design decision carries which consequence.
No pressure and no deposit — just an hour, a tape measure, and a written number you can hold anyone else's quote against.
Prefer to talk it through first? Call (201) 321-2990.
Our proven process from first call to final walkthrough.
We walk the yard, measure, and talk about how the space should be used — meals, crowds, quiet, sun. The brief comes from that, not from a catalogue.
Setbacks, easements, grade and drainage get checked before sketching, so the design is legal on your lot from the first line.
Levels, height above grade, and stair positions get decided here — and with them, whether guards are triggered and which stair numbers apply. This is where moving a staircase costs nothing.
Boards, railings and framing sized to the span tables, not to optimism — and a decision on whether the plan set needs an outside engineer's seal.
You end with drawings prepared for filing and a written build quote from the same company — no gap between designed and priced.
Typically 1–2 weeks to buildable drawings.
Zones, traffic, stairs and level changes planned against the tables that size footings, posts and beams — not sketched first and engineered later.
Boards, railings and finishes priced against your footprint, with the joist spacing each material requires built into the same drawing.
Drawings prepared to New Jersey's filing requirements — two sets, sealed where the plan needs it — from the company that will build them.
Code by design
None of this gets decided at the framing stage. It gets decided here, on paper, before a footing is dug.
Deck footings are sized to the tributary area they carry and the soil bearing under them (R507.3.1). More levels and longer spans change that math directly, so how many levels get drawn changes how many footings — and how big each one is — before a hole is dug.
Wood post size is set by table against the load it carries (R507.4). A walk-out deck drawn well above grade needs heavier posts than the same footprint drawn at grade level — a call made on paper, not discovered at framing.
Maximum beam spans come from tables keyed to species and size (R507.5), and cantilevers are capped at one-quarter of the span. The spacing between posts — and so the rhythm of the whole substructure — follows from the beam chosen at design time.
Wood decking follows one spacing table (R507.7); plastic composite boards are instead governed by their ASTM D7032 label and the manufacturer's own installation instructions (R507.2.2). Picking the board at the design stage sets the joist layout, not the other way around.
A guard is only required where a walking surface sits more than 30 inches above grade within 36 inches horizontally (R321.1.1). Draw the deck at or under that height and no guard is triggered; draw it higher and 36-inch guards — 34 inches on the open side of stairs — follow automatically, at a 4-inch sphere opening limit.
A ledger-attached deck cannot rely on toenailed fasteners and needs a verifiable positive connection to the house, plus hold-down hardware for lateral loads (R507.8, R507.9.2); where that connection can't be made or verified, the deck has to be freestanding. Which one you draw changes where every footing goes.
Design-build
A drawing without a builder attached is an opinion. Ours comes with the crew that will frame it.
Every choice lands in the quote immediately, so the design never wanders past the budget without you knowing.
Most decks stay inside the prescriptive span and footing tables. Push past them — an unusual span, an oversized cantilever — and the design becomes an engineered one, which changes what has to be sealed before it can be built. We tell you which side of that line your design sits on.
No gap between the designer's intent and the builder's interpretation — they are the same people, and the build itself runs through Deck Installation.
Townships want at least two sets of drawings and specifications at filing; ours are prepared to that standard from the first sketch, which shortens the permit step of the build.
We price wood against composite on your actual footprint — see Composite Decks and Wood Deck Construction for how those lines and their warranties compare — rather than defaulting to either.
Design conversations start inside the same free in-home visit as any other project.
New Jersey's rules on what has to be drawn, sealed and filed — decided at design time, not at inspection.
Before you build
An hour on these saves a change order later — and, on some of them, a second code check.
The deck for four every night and twenty twice a summer is a different deck than either number alone suggests — and it changes the footprint the footing math above runs on.
The 30-inch guard trigger and the post-sizing table both hinge on this one number. Decide it early, because it moves more of the drawing than any other single choice.
Every stair run has to meet New Jersey's amended riser and tread numbers and, at four or more risers, a handrail. Deciding stair count and location on paper is free; deciding it after framing is not.
Near the kitchen door, off the traffic path, never under a window. It is the most-argued square metre of any deck, and it is free to move before framing starts.
On a raised deck, the space below is storage, shade or wasted. Skirting and drainage decide which, and both are cheaper to plan than to retrofit.
A hot tub is a concentrated load and a roof changes the framing entirely. If either is a real possibility, we size the footings and posts for it now — a fraction of the cost of a later retrofit.
Portfolio
See examples of our deck design work across New Jersey.
Deck design in Township of Washington, NJ by House of Decks LLC. Custom composite layout, railings, and stairs for a functional backyard.
Deck design in Oakland, NJ by House of Decks LLC. A wraparound capped composite deck drawn around the sunroom, with a cedar privacy screen and corner stairs.
Deck design in Paterson, NJ by House of Decks LLC. Custom layout, composite materials, railings, and stair planning for your backyard.
Get a free, no-obligation in-home estimate. We'll walk your property, discuss your vision, and provide a detailed quote, all at no cost.
Where We Serve
We provide deck design services across these communities in New Jersey.
Real reviews from homeowners in your area.
“House of Decks LLC built our new porch, and the crew arrived when they said they would. They got right to work and kept things moving without making the job feel rushed. The construction was done carefully, and the finished porch has a neat, solid look that works well for our home. I’m very happy with the work. I’d call them again for another project”
Carl Miller
Deck Design
“House of Decks LLC built our new porch, and I’d hire them again. During the work, the crew answered my questions and made a helpful adjustment when I pointed out something I wanted handled differently. They were respectful around the house and kept the area organized. The porch has a sturdy, finished look without feeling too elaborate. I’m very satisfied with how everything turned out.”
Gast 20
Deck Design
“They did a great job building our new fence and were a really good crew to work with”
Olivia
Deck Design
“House of Decks LLC replaced our old deck. I wanted a sturdy space that looked neat and would be comfortable to use. The finished deck is solid and clean, and the simple look works well behind the house. Once the crew was done, there was very little for us to tidy afterward. I’m really pleased with the result. This was a hardworking, dependable crew to have on the job”
Jeremy Lawrence
Deck Design
“The new elevated deck and stairs came out even better than I expected. Before work started, Stiljano clearly explained what they planned to do, and he answered my questions so I knew what was happening. The crew was respectful around the house and pleasant to have around while they worked. They worked carefully, and the finished gray decking with white railings looks sharp beside the brick house. The stairs feel solid, and the whole deck has a clean, finished look. I’d call Stiljano and the crew again when I have another project.”
Raquel
Deck Design
“I wanted a contractor who would listen to what we had in mind and make sensible suggestions for our raised deck installation. The team did that without turning the decision into a sales pitch. They explained the available choices in plain language, which made it easier for me to choose the right direction. I also liked that they paid attention to the details we cared about instead of treating the job like a routine order. The finished gray deck with white railing looks clean and suits our house well, but their attitude was what convinced me that choosing them was the right decision in the end.”
carol ford
Deck Design
“Found these guys online while looking for someone to build our raised deck. The first conversation went well, so we decided to go ahead with them. Their schedule worked with ours, and we didn’t have to be home for every visit, which helped a lot. The crew was polite and treated our home respectfully while they were here. We’re really happy with how the deck turned out. It looks good against the house without being overdone. From that first conversation through the installation, they were easy to deal with. Glad we found them, and a big thank you to the crew for the work they put in”
Besati Lionurs
Deck Design
“Very happy with the quality of work and punctuality. Stiljano was a pleasure to work with. Definitely recommend to anyone in need of a deck contractor”
Embro Dhuli
Deck Design
“Seeing the finished deck was a great feeling. House of Decks LLC built a raised deck with multiple levels, stairs and railings that give the side of our home a completely different look. The white posts and black balusters stand out against the brown decking. The space feels much more inviting now, and that’s what I’d tell anyone considering this kind of work”
Stacy Williams
Deck Design
“The work done by House of Decks LLC was super when it came to replacing our old deck. Stiljano and his team is a very professional person who communicates well and explains everything from the start. His crew worked fast and left the area clean after all the small details were taken care of.The work done looks wonderful, and the deck is really strong. It was fair price for what we got, and everything went according to our plans. I definitely recommend House of Decks LLC for a deck replacement”
Nicole Gomez
Deck Design
“House of Decks LLC performed a perfect installation of a new deck at our residence in Franklin Lakes, NJ. Both Stiljano and his crew were highly responsible and professional in their work. All aspects of their service were explained to us in detail, including the progress of the work and the cost of services, which was quite reasonable and without any surprises. The new deck made of composite material and white railings looks perfect, and everything seems sturdy and quality. Our backyard is transformed into a new space after that.”
Shelia Jones
Deck Design
“Working with Stiljano and his crew was an absolute pleasure. They removed our old wood deck and installed our new one. They did a masterful job with great attention to detail. It looks amazing! We highly recommend House of Decks.”
Teresa Grillo
Deck Design
“We had House of Decks LLC build our new deck in Fair Lawn and we’re really happy with how it turned out. The deck looks clean and solid, and the white railings with the black balusters came out really nice. The stairs and finishing details were done carefully, and everything feels sturdy. The crew did a great job from start to finish. Definitely recommend House of Decks LLC for anyone looking to build or replace a deck in the Fair Lawn area.”
Joshua Samford
Deck Design
“They replaced the floor and railing on my deck. Very professional and quality workmanship. I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to update their deck”
Aurel Dhuli
Deck Design
“Our old outdoor space wasn’t working well for us, so we decided to have a composite deck built in Wayne. The finished deck gives us a much nicer place to spend time, and I’m very happy with how it turned out. The crew did a great job.”
Dana Golliday
Deck Design
“House of Decks LLC has done a wonderful job with our new deck installation. The team was relaxed, on time, and worked really well to leave little clean up at all. The end result is a sturdy and beautiful deck that I am truly happy with”
Orlando Valdez
Deck Design
“The job that was done by House of Decks LLC for our new deck was really good. They started by removing the old deck and then assisted us in choosing a layout and material options, explaining everything before beginning the process. Their workers arrived on schedule, were fast at working and kept our backyard clean. The end result is a very solid deck with straight boards and railings, which has greatly improved the backyard area. We are really pleased with their work and would recommend them for any deck installation. Thank you guys!”
Devonte King
Deck Design
“Great communication, fast install, and fair price. 10/10 overall great experience thank you guys”
Abbas Salem
Deck Design
“Did a great job from start to finish extremely professional and worth every dollar. The best craftsmanship and professionalism would highly recommend”
Noor Eljdid
Deck Design
“The absolute best decking company in the area hard workers and honest pricing. Agreed on a price and they went straight to work the crew was extremely pleasant and work oriented and the results were out of this world thank you guys”
Hunter The Game God
Deck Design
“House of Decks was friendly, efficient, extremely professional and had excellent craftsman. I was very pleased with their work and highly recommended them. They went above and beyond by helping move my mahogany wood nightstands when it was shipped my place. Thank for the help, 5 stars!”
Leo Acosta
Deck Design
“Contacted them via phone they were very communicative decides to go ahead and pull the trigger ! Bed decision of my life My new deck is absolutely amazing the craftsmanship is outstanding and the price was very fair ! Thank you guys for your hard work”
Ilias Elhaouss
Deck Design
“Choosing House of decks was the right decision !! Assessed the structural issues carefully and rebuilt my deck stronger and more attractive than before ! Couldn’t resist the affordable price and the attention to details ! Thank you guys”
Abraham Yassine
Deck Design
“It was an absolute pleasure to work with stiljano and his crew ! Contacted them about a deck demolition and to build me a new deck ! They were quick to reply and gave me a fair price that I couldn’t find anywhere ! I am so impressed w the results ! Thank you guys for your hard work”
Ke Xu
Deck Design
The questions homeowners ask us at almost every estimate.
A straightforward rectangle off the back door, at grade or close to it, can go straight to Deck Installation without a separate design phase. Design earns its keep once there's a level change, a height that triggers the 30-inch guard rule, a stair run, or a list of features competing for the same footprint — the decisions that actually move footings, framing and the permit drawings.
The design conversation starts inside our free in-home estimate. Detailed, permit-ready drawings are quoted as part of the project, and that design work is credited toward the build when we're the ones constructing it through Deck Installation, so you aren't paying twice for the same set of decisions.
Almost certainly, because we — not you — are the one preparing the drawings. New Jersey waives the architect's or engineer's seal only for a single-family homeowner who personally drew their own plans for their own private residence and files an affidavit saying so; a company-prepared set doesn't qualify for that exception and needs the seal on every sheet. We arrange it as part of the design.
New Jersey requires a guard wherever a walking surface sits more than 30 inches above grade within 36 inches horizontally. A deck designed at or under that height doesn't trigger the rule at all; draw it higher and a 36-inch guard — 34 inches on the open side of stairs — with a 4-inch sphere opening limit becomes part of the build. That's a height decision made in design, not an afterthought at inspection.
Sloped lots are where design earns its fee — levels, walk-outs and stair runs turn a difficult grade into the deck's best feature. Each level change also resets the footing and post sizing, since both are driven by height and tributary area, so a sloped-lot design takes more of that math, not less. Much of Bergen County lives on exactly this problem.
That's half the point of doing it properly. Setbacks, frost-depth footings, guard and stair numbers, and the plan-set requirements — two copies at minimum, sealed on every sheet — are built into the drawing from the start, not patched in after a rejection.
Yes, and it should be decided now. A hot tub is a concentrated load and a roof changes the framing and the guard geometry both — sizing the footings and posts for either at design time costs a fraction of framing for them after the deck already exists.
Deck Design is for a deck that doesn't exist yet, or one you're rethinking from the ground up. Changing an existing deck — extending it, re-leveling it, correcting a structural problem — runs under Deck Remodeling, which follows a different New Jersey permit rule than a fresh design does.
Most projects touch more than one of these. We handle them with the same crew.
The buying guide for composite decking in Bergen and Passaic County: Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon and Deckorators lines by tier, the warranty term on each, the fine print that voids it, and the cases where composite is the wrong answer.
Learn moreNew deck installation across Bergen and Passaic County, in wood or composite, built to New Jersey's 2024 code from footings to final railing, with the township permit filed by us.
Learn moreDeck remodeling in Bergen and Passaic County — the New Jersey rule that decides whether reshaping the deck you have is ordinary maintenance or new construction, and which applies to your job.
Learn moreDeck replacement in Bergen and Passaic County — re-decking a sound frame or a full rebuild, in wood or composite, and which New Jersey permit rule applies to each.
Learn morePatio decks in Bergen and Passaic County: pavers, natural stone, stamped concrete and low platform decks compared, the New Jersey permit rule most homeowners get wrong, and the base spec that keeps any of them flat for decades.
Learn morePatio enclosures in Bergen and Passaic County — screened rooms and three-season rooms built under New Jersey's own patio-cover code, not a room addition.
Learn moreBring the ideas; we bring the tape measure and the code book. The consultation is free.
