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Deck builder in St. Petersburg, FL
Decks for St. Pete bungalows, waterfront homes and everything in between, with city permits handled.
St. Petersburg is home base for us. We build composite and wood decks in neighborhoods across the city, from Old Northeast, Kenwood and Crescent Lake to Shore Acres, Snell Isle, Disston Heights, Jungle Terrace and Feather Sound.
Building a deck in St. Pete
- Historic homes: Many 1920s bungalows in Old Northeast, Kenwood and Old Southeast sit on raised foundations. A back deck often needs stairs and a guard rail, and the attachment to an older house needs careful flashing. Homes in local historic districts may need design review for work visible from the street.
- Flood zones: Shore Acres, Snell Isle and other low-lying areas are in FEMA flood zones. That can affect the deck's height, footings and permit review.
- Salt air: Close to the bay, we use stainless or heavily coated fasteners and connectors so the hardware doesn't rust out.
- City permits: The City of St. Petersburg's Construction Services and Permitting division at One 4th Street North issues deck permits. We pull it and handle inspections. See deck permits.
Deck services in St. Petersburg
- 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 1920s bungalows in Old Northeast.
- 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 St. Petersburg deck
Near Snell Isle, Shore Acres, Venetian Isles and Coquina Key, 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 St. Petersburg | 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 St. Petersburg
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 St. Petersburg
Deck permits here come from the City of St. Petersburg Construction Services and Permitting division at One 4th Street North. Most St. Pete neighborhoods have no HOA, but homes in local historic districts can need design review. 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 St. Petersburg
Old Northeast, Kenwood, Crescent Lake, Old Southeast, Snell Isle, Shore Acres, Disston Heights, Jungle Terrace, Feather Sound, Placido Bayou and Coquina Key.
Common questions
Do I need a permit for a deck in St. Petersburg?
Yes. The City of St. Petersburg issues deck permits, and flood-zone or historic-district homes may need extra review. We handle it.
Can you build a deck on an older St. Pete bungalow?
Yes. Raised floors on older bungalows usually mean a raised deck with stairs and a rail, and we take extra care flashing and attaching to older framing.
How much does a composite deck cost in St. Petersburg?
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 St. Petersburg?
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 St. Petersburg?
PVC or premium capped composite with stainless hardware near the water, and standard capped composite inland.