Decks we build in Dedham — our hometown
Dedham is where we're based. We live here, our shop is here, and we've worked on more Dedham homes than any other town in Greater Boston. That means two things for you: we can usually get to a site walk the same week, and we know what a Dedham deck project actually looks like from the inside.
The housing stock across Dedham is a tour of 20th-century New England. Oakdale and Precinct 1 have the Capes, Colonials, and the occasional ranch — tight lots, mature trees, and often an existing deck or stair that needs replacement rather than first-time construction. Endicott and Greenlodge mix in some larger lots and more varied architecture, including homes built in the 1950s–70s with wide back-wall openings that let us design meaningful entertaining platforms. Riverdale and Ashcroft lean older — some pre-war homes where ledger prep and existing framing deserve a careful second look before we commit to attachment.
The Charles River corridor through town, and the Mother Brook, both create wetlands and conservation areas that affect what we can build where. We check your parcel against the resource map at the site visit; most Dedham decks sit well clear of jurisdiction, but when they don't we file with the Conservation Commission as part of the permit process.
Permits at Dedham Town Hall
Dedham deck permits are issued by the Dedham Building Department at Town Hall, 450 Washington Street. We work with this department regularly and the process is well-run — most residential deck permits are issued within one to two weeks of a complete submission. Fees are published on the town website.
Required submission includes a plot plan showing the deck's position relative to lot lines, a framing diagram with lumber species and dimensions, footing details to Massachusetts 48" frost line minimum, and a stair/railing detail. Dedham enforces zoning setbacks measured to the deck's outermost edge including stairs and any projecting elements.
Historic district considerations apply to the Dedham Historic District (centered around Dedham Square and historic properties on High Street and Court Street). If your home falls in the district, the Historical Commission reviews exterior alterations before a building permit is issued. This adds two to four weeks and sometimes a design revision. We can tell you at the quoting stage whether your address is affected.
Standard three-stage inspection schedule: footings before pour, framing before decking goes down, final after completion. Dedham inspectors are responsive and generally schedule within two business days.
What makes a Dedham deck different
Being based in Dedham means we can respond faster here than anywhere else. If you have a storm-damaged railing or a rotted post that needs addressing before someone gets hurt, we can usually be at your door within a day. For scheduled new deck builds, we often start Dedham projects earlier than other towns because the drive to site is zero.
Dedham lot sizes and shapes vary more than you'd expect from a single town. The decisions on your deck size, orientation, stair placement, and even material choice depend on the specific lot. We don't do phone quotes — we come out, measure, and talk through what will actually work for your yard.
One Dedham specific worth noting: most of our Dedham clients find us through referrals from neighbors. If you want to see a deck we've built in your neighborhood before you commit to a project, ask — we can usually drive you by one.
Materials we use on Dedham decks
Material selection is one of the biggest decisions on any deck project. The three main options we build with in Dedham:
- Pressure-treated pine. The most affordable path to a full deck — typically $30–45 per square foot installed. Needs stain or seal every 1–2 years to prevent gray-out. Properly maintained PT lasts 15–20 years. Good for budget-conscious builds or utility decks.
- Composite decking (TimberTech, Trex, Fiberon). $50–75 per square foot installed. Essentially maintenance-free — no staining, no sealing, no sanding. Resists rot, insects, and UV fade. 25-year warranties standard.
- Cedar or PVC (Azek). Cedar for a natural wood look with better rot resistance than PT. PVC for a wood-grain product that never rots and stays cool underfoot. $65–90 per square foot installed. The finish quality is noticeably better on both.
Underneath all three, we frame with kiln-dried pressure-treated southern yellow pine and galvanized or stainless hardware. Hardware upgrade to stainless is standard practice on any Dedham deck within a few hundred yards of saltwater or in a damp microclimate.
How we actually build it, start to finish
Every project starts with a site walk, not a phone quote. We measure the house wall, check for existing footings, assess grade, decide where the ledger ties in, and talk through what you actually want the deck to do. From there:
- Design and material selection. We put together a plan showing dimensions, framing, railing style, and material. You sign off before we spend time on permits.
- Permit submission. We prepare the plot plan, framing diagram, and material spec, and file at the Dedham building department.
- Footings. Below Massachusetts frost line (48 inches minimum), with a footing inspection before pour.
- Framing. Ledger with proper flashing, beams, joists, blocking. Framing inspection before decking goes down.
- Decking, railings, stairs. Boards installed with concealed fasteners (composite) or face-screwed (PT), stair stringers cut, railings assembled and secured.
- Final inspection and walk-through. You and the inspector both sign off.
A standard 16×14 deck with no complications runs seven to ten working days from ledger to final board, plus permit lead time at the front.
Recent projects
