How to Start a Deck Building Business

A deck building business specializes in the construction of outdoor decks and patios for customers.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

Tailor Brands ($0 + State Fees)

Start a deck building business by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Deck Building Business
  2. Form your Deck Building Business into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Deck Building Business for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Deck Building Business
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Deck Building Business
  7. Get Deck Building Business Insurance
  8. Define your Deck Building Business Brand
  9. Create your Deck Building Business Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your deck building business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Deck Building Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a deck building business?

Starting a deck building business can require a substantial amount of initial capital. You will need to build up your tools and equipment, such as circular and chop saws, pneumatic nail guns, screw guns, routers, air compressors, jigsaws, and handheld tools, such as planers, chisels, and hammers. You will also need some materials, such as nails, screws, and metal hardware at hand.

Additional investments include:

  • A work truck or van
  • A flatbed trailer for hauling equipment and supplies
  • Signage for vehicles and your warehouse
  • A warehouse for storing equipment and supplies, with utilities
  • Insurance for the business and your workers
  • A contractor’s license
  • A website, cell phones, and internet for the business

What are the ongoing expenses for a deck building business?

Most expenses will fall in the materials and equipment categories, as your tools and the deck or patio materials are most often purchased. You will also see rent, insurance, and vehicle maintenance as critical values in your earning equations.

Who is the target market?

Your target market will more than likely be middle, to upper class clients, looking to add to the appeal or livability of their homes. You may also want to focus on customers looking to advertise their house for sale or as tenant rentals. The addition of an outside deck or patio can often be a relatively inexpensive addition, which will dramatically increase the overall value and appeal of the house.

How does a deck building business make money?

A deck building business generates revenue through the completion of deck and patio projects for customers.

How much can you charge customers?

Depending on the customer’s plan and requests, you will charge between $100-150 per square foot, although it’s best to research the price points for contractors and companies in your area and strive to stay competitive with the competition.

How much profit can a deck building business make?

Depending on the size of your company and the type of clients you regularly work for, a successful deck business can see earnings in the $80,000-120,000 range, annually.

How can you make your business more profitable?

When considering more profitable options, think about what extras customers mention or ask about in the initial estimating process. If your customers want more decorative designs and added wood or stone protections, you may want to consider dedicating a division of your business to remodeling, maintenance, or add-ons to already existing structures. You might also consider partial enclosures, sun shades, or pergolas as options for customers. Listen to their requests and create additional work options, since the customers are your number one concern and the key to your success.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your deck building business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your deck building business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?

Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a deck building business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Certificate of Occupancy

A deck building business is generally run out of a warehouse or similar building. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

  • If you plan to lease a location:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a deck building business.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
  • If you plan to purchase or build a location:
    • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
    • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your deck building business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

Service Contracts

Deck building businesses should consider requiring clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and so on.

Labor Safety Requirements

Deck building involves the use of power tools and other potentially dangerous equipment, so it is important that you familiarize yourself with your areas labor safety requirements, which can be found here.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Deck Building Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Deck Building Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a deck building business

When marketing and promoting your business, positive customer word of mouth and recommendations will be an integral part of your strategy. You will also want to utilize as many free or low overhead options for advertising either online (Facebook, Instagram) or through flyers and handouts. Consider joining a contractor’s organization or advertise through regional builder associations, homeowner associations, and home, garden, and patio shows. These are excellent outlets for finding new customers outside of your customer base.

How to keep customers coming back

Maintain the most professional look, customer interactions, and final products possible. Your work really does speak for itself. When finishing a job, make sure nothing is left behind, except a professionally finished deck or patio.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

A deck building business requires knowledge in carpentry, electrical, and sometimes plumbing construction. Experience in creating customer estimates and communication skills are also necessary to become and stay successful. The individual who enjoys working with his/her hands and in natural elements would be best fit for this profession.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a deck building business?

Day to day activities focus on the construction of decks, creating customer estimates, and following up on customer leads for new projects. A deck business will also spend some time gathering materials and equipment for future jobs.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful deck building business?

Since virtually all of your profit, as well as future business is determined by customer satisfaction, it is critical that you understand how to talk to your clients and foster a word of mouth customer base. A good communicator will be able to continue to develop and grow the customer goodwill.

Additionally, experience in construction is absolutely essential. Some fast learners won’t need to rely as heavily on past experiences but, understanding framing, foundation building, and finish/trim work will prepare you for many of the situations you’ll be faced with day to day.

What is the growth potential for a deck building business?

As more customers look to improve the living conditions and curb appeal of their houses, the demand for external deck add-ons will continue to grow. By maintaining a positive rapport with customers and developing a trusted brand name, your earning potential can expand exponentially.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a deck building business?

When first starting out, you’ll need to have some successes to point to, in order to attract customers. Create flyers and business cards. Many hardware stores and lumber yards will have pin boards for contractors to advertise their business. Then, take some jobs, preferably not too challenging, to complete. Take pictures of the final products and post them on your website and social media pages. Let people see for themselves what your work looks like. And, as stated earlier, rely on customers to spread the word about how professional and prompt your service was. You may even want to offer rebates on future work for customer referrals.

How and when to build a team

Having a strong and diverse team is a critical first step. A crew of 3-4 will be a good starting place. And, once you have established your business, you can build multiple crews and expand your workload and earning potential.

Useful Links

Further Reading