Site visit
We measure, check the grade and the house wall where a ledger would attach, and talk through size, height and how you will use the space.
Based in Woodstock, Ontario
Decks & Exteriors
Decks, porches, railings, fences, gates and siding, built to code, inspected where required and finished with the same care as the inside of the house.
What it is
Decks and exteriors covers the carpentry outside your walls: new decks and porches, stairs and guards, privacy fences and gates, and siding and exterior trim repairs or replacement.
Outdoor work has to handle frost, rain and sun. That means footings below the frost line, proper ledger flashing, the right fasteners for treated lumber and railings that meet the Ontario Building Code. We draw the deck, build it to pass inspection where a permit is required and finish it so it looks as good as it stands.
Decks and porchesGround-level and elevated decks, multi-level decks, covered porches, stairs, landings
Railings and guardsWood, aluminum and glass railing systems that meet code height and spacing
Fences and gatesPrivacy fences, decorative screens, cedar gates with custom detail
Siding and trimBoard and batten, vinyl and engineered siding, window and door trim, soffit and fascia
Who this is for
- Homeowners replacing a rotting or undersized deck
- Families adding a covered porch or a deck with stairs and seating
- Anyone who needs a privacy fence or a custom gate
- Owners with damaged siding, trim or soffits that need repair or replacement
How it works
From the grade up
Most decks need a permit and two inspections. The schedule is built around them.
Design and permit
A drawing with footings, beams, joists, stairs and guards. Where a permit is required, the drawing is prepared to meet code and submitted.
Footings and framing
Footings below frost depth, posts, beams and joists set level and square, ledger flashed to keep water out of the house.
Framing inspection
The municipality inspects the structure before the decking covers it.
Decking, stairs, railings
Deck boards, stair stringers and treads, then railings and guards installed to the required height and spacing.
Final inspection and finish
Final inspection once guards and stairs are done, then trim, skirting and any stain or finish.
Your options
Decking materials, compared
Railings follow the same logic: wood is the lowest cost and matches a wood deck, aluminum is low maintenance, glass keeps the view but needs cleaning.
| Material | Look | Upkeep | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure treated | Classic wood, can be stained | Clean and re-stain regularly | Checks and warps over time; lowest cost |
| Cedar | Warm natural colour | Seal yearly to keep the colour, or let it grey | Softer wood that dents; costs more than treated |
| Composite | Consistent colour with a wood look | Wash only | Hot in full sun, higher cost, needs closer joist spacing |
| PVC | Uniform, many colours | Wash only | Highest cost; can look less natural |
What moves the price
Cost drivers
Height, stairs, railings and footings change the number more than size does.
Size and height
Square footage drives material; height drives footings, posts, stairs and guard requirements.
Decking and railing material
Treated, cedar, composite and PVC decking, and wood, aluminum or glass railings, sit at very different points.
Footings and soil
Frost-depth footings in clay or rock take more work than in sandy soil; helical piles are an option in tough ground.
Stairs and levels
Each stair run and each change in level adds framing, stringers and railing.
Permits and engineering
Permit fees, drawings and, for unusual spans or roofs, an engineer's stamp.
Roofs, screens and extras
A covered porch roof, privacy screens, benches, planters and lighting each add scope.
Decks are often priced per square foot in ads, but that leaves out height, stairs, railings and footings. Every Trimpro estimate is written after seeing the site.
Our work
Exteriors from the portfolio
Decks, porches, fences, gates and a full exterior rebuild.
Service area
Where we work
Decks & Exteriors from our home base in Woodstock, Ontario to Kitchener, Guelph and Cambridge, with London and Brantford also covered.
Kitchener
Kitchener's lots range from narrow older lots in the core to wide suburban yards, and the right deck size and height depends on the grade behind the house.
Interior renovations in KitchenerGuelph
Guelph's rolling terrain means many homes have walk-outs and sloped yards, where elevated decks, stairs and guards are the norm.
Interior renovations in GuelphCambridge
In Cambridge, many homes near the Grand River and in the older neighbourhoods have original wood porches and fences that are reaching the end of their life and being rebuilt to current code.
Interior renovations in CambridgeQuestions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions homeowners ask before a deck building and exterior carpentry project.
Do I need a permit to build a deck in Ontario?
In most municipalities, yes, once the deck is above a set height or attached to the house. The City of Woodstock, for example, publishes deck requirements and inspects at framing and again at final once guards and stairs are complete. We confirm the rules for your municipality before drawing.
How high can a deck be before it needs a railing?
Under the Ontario Building Code, a guard is required when the deck surface is more than 24 inches above the ground. Guard height and the spacing of the pickets are also set by the code.
What is the best material for a deck?
Pressure treated is the budget choice and takes stain. Cedar looks best new and needs sealing. Composite and PVC cost more up front and need the least upkeep. The table above compares them.
How deep do deck footings need to be?
Below the frost line, which in southwestern Ontario is generally about 4 feet. Footing size depends on the loads and the soil.
Can you build a fence on the property line?
A fence should be built on your side of the line unless your neighbour agrees in writing to share it. Height limits are set by each municipality's fence bylaw, and we check it before building.
Do you build decks in Kitchener and Cambridge?
Yes. Trimpro builds decks, fences and exterior projects in Kitchener, Guelph, Cambridge, London and Brantford as well as Woodstock.
Free estimate
Ready to build outside?
Describe the space and how you want to use it. Dustin will visit, measure the grade and send a written estimate with a drawing.