Deck building and repair in Chico, CA
New wood and composite decks, and repairs to the framing, footings, stairs and railings of the one you have. Built to code, permitted where it needs to be, and designed for Chico summers.
A deck is a structure, not a floor outside
A deck carries people, furniture and sometimes a hot tub, often several feet off the ground, attached to the house. The parts that matter most are ones you don't see once it is built: footings, beams, joist spacing, hangers and the ledger connection to the house. CCB Construction is a residential construction and remodeling contractor based in Chico, and deck framing and carpentry is work our own crew does. Tyler Carlisle runs every job himself, from the walkthrough to the final punch list.
New decks
- Ground-level decks and platforms off a back door or slider.
- Raised decks on a second floor or over a sloped lot, with stairs and landings.
- Wood decks in pressure-treated lumber or redwood, or composite and PVC decking on a pressure-treated frame.
- Railings in wood, composite, metal or cable.
- Covered decks and pergolas, which add structural and permit considerations.
We help you pick a size and layout based on how you will use it: room for a table and chairs, a grill area set back from the house, and stairs that land somewhere practical.
Deck repair
Many older Chico decks were built before current connection and hardware standards. Common repairs we see:
- Rotted or split boards, which are easy to replace, though it is worth checking the joists while they are off.
- Rotted joists, beams and posts, especially where water sits on top of framing or posts sit directly in soil.
- Failing ledger connections, where the deck attaches to the house without proper flashing or bolting. Water behind a ledger can rot both the deck and the house framing.
- Loose or low railings and wobbly stairs, which are safety issues and should be fixed before the next party.
- Footings that have settled or were never set deep enough.
Sometimes the frame is sound and only needs new decking and railings. Sometimes the frame is the problem and a rebuild costs less over time. We look under the deck during the walkthrough and tell you which one you have.
What drives the cost of a deck
We give a fixed price in writing after a walkthrough. The main factors are:
- Size and height. Higher decks need bigger posts, bracing and longer stairs.
- Decking material. Composite and PVC cost more up front than pressure-treated wood and need less upkeep; redwood falls in between.
- Railings. Railing is often a larger share of the budget than people expect, especially with metal or cable systems.
- Site. Slopes, tight access, tree roots and concrete removal affect footing work.
- Extras. Built-in benches, lighting, covers and pergolas.
- Removal of an old deck.
Permits, Chico heat and fire country
Many decks need a building permit, especially decks attached to the house, decks higher off the ground, and larger decks. Small, low, freestanding platforms can be exempt under the state's residential building code, but we confirm with the City of Chico Building Division inside city limits or Butte County outside it, and we handle the permit when one is required.
Chico summer sun is hard on decks. Dark composite boards can get very hot underfoot in July and August, so lighter colors or shade from a cover or pergola are worth considering. Unprotected wood dries, checks and fades quickly here, so we talk through sealing and maintenance. In Paradise, Magalia and other foothill areas mapped as fire hazard severity zones, California's wildfire building standards can limit which decking materials can be used, and we plan for those rules from the start.
How a deck project runs with us
First, a walkthrough of the yard, the house wall where a deck would attach, and any existing deck. Second, a written scope with a fixed price listing size, framing, footings, decking, railing and stairs. Third, the build: layout, footings, inspection if permitted, framing and ledger flashing, decking, railings and stairs, with the yard cleaned up daily. Fourth, a final walkthrough together.
Questions people ask
Wood or composite?
Pressure-treated wood costs less up front and can be stained, but in Chico's sun it needs regular sealing to keep from checking and graying. Composite costs more, needs less maintenance and holds its color better. Both sit on a pressure-treated frame, so the framing is built the same either way.
Can you just replace the deck boards?
If the frame is in good shape, yes. We check joists, beams, posts and the ledger before quoting re-decking, because putting new boards on a failing frame wastes money.
Do I need a permit for a deck in Chico?
Often yes, especially if the deck is attached to the house, raised more than a short distance off the ground, or large. We confirm with the City of Chico or Butte County during the scope and handle the permit as part of the job.
How long does a new deck take?
A straightforward ground-level deck is often a week or two on site. Raised decks, covered decks and permitted projects take longer, and permit review time comes before construction.
Related work
Where we work
Chico and the rest of Butte, Yuba, Sutter, Shasta and Sacramento counties, including:
- Home remodeling in Oroville
- Home remodeling in Paradise
- Home remodeling in Durham
- Home remodeling in Magalia
- Home remodeling in Gridley
- Home remodeling in Yuba City
- Home remodeling in Marysville
- Home remodeling in Redding
- All areas we serve
Start a project
Tell us about the job, add a couple of photos if you have them, and we will reach out within one business day to set up a walkthrough. You get a written scope and a fixed price before anything is scheduled.