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Deck builder in Clearwater, FL
Composite and PVC decks built for salt air, from Countryside to the Intracoastal.
We build decks throughout Clearwater, from Countryside and the neighborhoods off McMullen-Booth to homes near the Intracoastal and out toward the beach, plus nearby Dunedin, Safety Harbor and Largo.
Building a deck in Clearwater
- Salt air near the water: Homes near Clearwater Harbor, the Intracoastal and Clearwater Beach get constant salt exposure. We use stainless or heavily coated hardware and recommend PVC or capped composite boards.
- Flood zones: Many waterfront and low-lying areas are in FEMA flood zones, which can affect deck design and permitting.
- City vs. county permits: Homes inside Clearwater city limits are permitted by the City of Clearwater. Some nearby areas are unincorporated Pinellas and go through the county. We pull the right one. See deck permits.
- HOAs in Countryside and newer communities: We provide drawings and color samples for architectural review.
Deck services in Clearwater
- New composite decks: Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, Deckorators and MoistureShield, on concrete footings with framing at 12 inches on center.
- Deck replacement: Tear-out of old pine decks, new footings and framing, and new boards. Common on ranch homes from the 1960s and 1970s.
- Deck repair: Soft boards, rotted posts, loose ledgers and wobbly railings when the rest of the deck is sound.
- Railings and stairs: Aluminum, cable and composite railings, plus stairs wrapped to match.
- Pergolas and covers: Shade over all or part of the deck.
Choosing boards for a Clearwater deck
Near Clearwater Beach, Island Estates and homes on the Intracoastal, salt air is the main enemy. We recommend PVC boards such as TimberTech AZEK, or a premium capped composite, with stainless fasteners and connectors. Aluminum or stainless cable railing holds up far better than steel or wood. Inland streets can use standard capped composite with coated hardware.
| Spot | Boards | Hardware | Railing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterfront or within a few blocks of salt water | PVC or premium capped composite | Stainless | Aluminum or stainless cable |
| Inland Clearwater | Capped composite (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon) | Coated, rated for treated lumber | Aluminum, composite or cable |
| Budget or rental | Pressure-treated pine | Coated | Wood or aluminum |
What a deck costs in Clearwater
Our recent ground-level composite quotes have run about $41 to $48 per square foot installed, including footings, framing, boards, fascia and hidden fasteners:
| Deck | Size | Installed price |
|---|---|---|
| Ground-level Trex deck | 16 × 12 (192 sq ft) | $7,889 |
| Ground-level Trex deck | 20 × 12 (240 sq ft) | $11,410 |
| Add: two runs of Trex-wrapped steps | — | $2,849 |
| Add: low-voltage deck lighting | — | $1,200 |
Coastal hardware, PVC boards, raised decks and flood-zone design add to these numbers. The deck cost guide explains each line.
Permits and approvals in Clearwater
Deck permits here come from the City of Clearwater for homes in city limits, or Pinellas County for unincorporated areas nearby. Countryside and many newer communities need HOA approval for deck size and color. Here's how we handle it:
- We measure and draw a site plan and construction details.
- If you have an HOA or association, we send them the drawings and material samples first.
- We submit the permit and answer any review comments.
- The inspector checks the footings, the framing and the finished deck. We're there for each visit.
More detail is in our deck permit guide.
How long a deck takes
Permit review usually takes two to four weeks, sometimes longer for flood-zone review. Once the permit is issued, most decks take one to two weeks on site. Bigger, raised or multi-level decks take longer.
Neighborhoods we serve around Clearwater
Countryside, Clearwater Beach, Island Estates, Morningside, Del Oro, Dunedin and Safety Harbor.
Common questions
What decking is best near Clearwater Beach?
PVC boards like TimberTech AZEK, or a high-end capped composite, with stainless fasteners and aluminum or stainless cable railing. They handle salt air far better than wood and standard hardware.
How much does a composite deck cost in Clearwater?
Our recent ground-level composite decks have run about $41 to $48 per square foot installed. A 16×12 Trex deck was $7,889 and a 20×12 was $11,410. Raised decks, railings and stairs cost more.
How long does it take to build a deck in Clearwater?
Usually two to four weeks for the permit, then one to two weeks of work on site for most decks.
What's the best decking material for Clearwater?
PVC or premium capped composite with stainless hardware near the water, and standard capped composite inland.