Home / Service areas / Sarasota
Deck builder in Sarasota, FL
Composite and PVC decks from downtown Sarasota to Lakewood Ranch and Longboat Key.
We build composite and wood decks across Sarasota, from downtown and the neighborhoods off the Tamiami Trail to Lakewood Ranch and Longboat Key.
Building a deck in Sarasota
- City or county permits: Homes inside Sarasota city limits are permitted by the City of Sarasota. Unincorporated areas go through Sarasota County, and Longboat Key has its own town building department. We confirm which office covers your address and pull the permit. See deck permits.
- Barrier islands and the bay: Longboat Key and the bayfront get constant salt air. We use stainless or heavily coated hardware and recommend PVC or capped composite boards.
- Flood zones: Much of coastal Sarasota is in FEMA flood zones, which can affect deck height, footings and permit review.
- HOAs: Lakewood Ranch and many newer communities need architectural approval. We supply the drawings and material samples.
Deck services in Sarasota
- 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 mid-century homes near downtown.
- 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 Sarasota deck
Near Longboat Key and the bayfront, 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 Sarasota | 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 Sarasota
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 Sarasota
Deck permits here come from the City of Sarasota, the Town of Longboat Key, or Sarasota County for unincorporated areas. Lakewood Ranch and gated communities usually need HOA approval. 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 Sarasota
Downtown Sarasota, Longboat Key, Lakewood Ranch and the bayfront neighborhoods.
Common questions
Do you build decks in Sarasota?
Yes. We build across Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and Longboat Key, and handle City of Sarasota, Sarasota County and Longboat Key permits.
How much does a composite deck cost in Sarasota?
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 Sarasota?
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 Sarasota?
PVC or premium capped composite with stainless hardware near the water, and standard capped composite inland.