Deck site visit: follow the load path to the ground
A great surface design fails if the support and connections are not appropriate. Ask what was built previously and whether water collects near the house.
Practical guideRead this guideDecks and Outdoor Living business resources
Repair, resurfacing, and full replacement are different scopes. A lead form can gather material preferences and goals without pretending to determine foundation, railing, or structural requirements.
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A great surface design fails if the support and connections are not appropriate. Ask what was built previously and whether water collects near the house.
Practical guideRead this guideBoard area alone omits excavation, footings, ledger flashing, framing, posts, stairs, guards, connectors, disposal, and permit or engineering costs.
Practical guideRead this guideExplore a revenue scenario using your own assumptions.
On-screen calculationUse this resourceAdapt three helpful replies and know when to stop.
Copyable email templatesUse this resourceFREE to use Β· No account required. Use your own job details; no trial required.
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The 52-second demo shows customer requests, email follow-up, appointment booking and the dashboard using fictional sample details.
Watch the demo on the homepage βBooked Work Pro helps organize inquiries and estimate appointments. The technical assessment, job scope and actual service remain with your qualified team.
Explore decks and outdoor living software βDecks and Outdoor Living field guide
Collect the details that help your team prepare the appropriate visit. Let the customer describe the concern without requiring them to diagnose it.
Who reviews the request: Route mentions of structural concern to a qualified contractor. Never call a deck safe, specify footing details, or quote permit requirements without site and local review.
Footings, posts, spans, and connections depend on the deck's actual geometry and applicable local code. The American Wood Council guide is a technical reference for qualified design review, not a remote safety verdict.
Use the actual property conditions, selected products and applicable local requirements to decide the scope. A web form or photograph does not replace a qualified assessment.
Trade reference: American Wood Council: Residential deck guide. This reference supports the specific trade point above; it is not a complete installation procedure or a diagnosis for an actual property.
Adapt this original fictional example to your actual service, timing and availability. Viewing this guide sends no message.
Thanks for sharing the deck project and interest in [material]. An on-site conversation will help us understand the layout and next steps. Could you meet at [option A] or [option B]?
After the first reply: Record design-stage leads for a mutually chosen future check-in. End prospect reminders once a site visit is on the calendar.
Decks and Outdoor Living business library
Focused guides on starting a business, preparing visits, estimating, safety, project decisions and customer handoff. Each guide includes related reading and primary references.
Choose deck work your crew and design partners can support, verify attachment and foundations on site, plan permits and inspections, and price access and structural surprises.
Read the guide βAsk whether this is repair or new construction, approximate size and height, whether the deck attaches to the house, and whether stairs or a guard are involved.
Read the guide βA great surface design fails if the support and connections are not appropriate. Ask what was built previously and whether water collects near the house.
Read the guide βBoard area alone omits excavation, footings, ledger flashing, framing, posts, stairs, guards, connectors, disposal, and permit or engineering costs.
Read the guide ββBuild a 12-by-12 deckβ does not say whether there are footings, a ledger, stairs, guardposts, or a particular railing system.
Read the guide βRemoving an old deck can expose unstable framing and leave a hazardous doorway. Ask about occupants, pets, ground access, and any exit that depends on the deck.
Read the guide βA splintered board may be localized; a loose guard or moving stair suggests a structural concern. Ask what moves and when the issue began.
Read the guide βOwners may choose composite for reduced surface upkeep, but the structure below still needs a suitable design and maintenance.
Read the guide βFreeze-thaw, water accumulation, and weather exposure can affect connections and surfaces over time. Ask if guards feel loose or water pools near the ledger.
Read the guide βA field crew needs the approved footing plan, connection details, stair geometry, guard system, product instructions, and permit status before digging.
Read the guide βBeautiful finished decks attract visitors, but showing only surface boards obscures support, footings, and project complexity.
Read the guide βA deck is not complete simply because the last board is fastened. The owner needs confirmation of any required inspection and the care needs of the installed system.
Read the guide βFrom inquiry to the next appointment
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