Elevate Deck Company Deck Builder · Ottawa, IL
Who We Are

About

A local deck builder serving homeowners across Ottawa, IL.

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Our Story

How We Got Into Building Decks

We build and repair decks for homeowners around Ottawa, IL, and most of us came up doing general carpentry before specializing in outdoor structures. A deck sits outside in the weather year-round, which asks for different framing and different fasteners than an interior project ever does. That's the work we focus on now.

If you're on this page, chances are a board is cupping, a railing is loose, or a deck that's only a few years old already feels unstable. Most of that traces back to undersized joists, a ledger board that was never flashed, or hardware that wasn't rated for treated lumber. We check all three before we touch a single board, because fixing the surface without fixing what's underneath just buys you another year.

10+
Years Experience
500+
Projects Completed
12
Cities Served
Why Choose Us

What you get when you hire us

None of this is complicated. It is mostly just doing what we said we would do.

Licensed & Insured

We're licensed and insured for deck construction work, and certificates are available before the job starts. If a tool damages your siding or a crew member is hurt on site, that's covered by our policy, not yours.

Permits Handled

Most municipalities around Ottawa require a permit for any deck attached to the house, and some require one for freestanding decks over a certain height. We handle that paperwork and schedule the inspection so you don't have to figure out the local code yourself.

Clean Job Sites

Deck demo and rebuilds generate a lot of scrap wood, old fasteners, and sawdust, and we don't leave that for you to deal with. Every nail and offcut gets swept up and hauled out at the end of each day, not just the last one.

Written Quotes

We measure the site and break out materials and labor in a written quote before any lumber gets ordered. If you switch from pressure-treated to composite decking halfway through pricing, that number changes in front of you, not after the job starts.

Our Own Crew

We don't hand your project off to subcontractors between framing and finish work. The same crew that sets your footings is the one screwing down your deck boards and hanging your railings.

Local to Ottawa

We work on decks throughout the Illinois River valley and know how the local clay soil and freeze-thaw cycles affect footings. That matters more here than in places with sandy soil or a milder winter.

Common Questions

Things people ask us

What people want to know about who they're hiring.

How long have you been building decks?
Deck construction and repair has been the main focus of the work for years, after starting out in general carpentry. Framing and finishing a deck uses different techniques than indoor carpentry because the structure is exposed to weather year-round.
Do you use your own crew or subcontractors?
The same crew handles a deck project from footings through final railing, rather than subbing out framing to one company and finish work to another. That keeps one group accountable for the whole structure.
Can I see photos of past deck projects?
Photos of completed deck builds, railings, and resurfacing jobs can be shared on request, including projects in Ottawa and the surrounding towns.
Why choose a smaller deck builder instead of a big remodeling company?
A smaller crew means the person who measured the site is usually the same person swinging a hammer on it, so details don't get lost between an estimator and the actual builders. Scheduling also tends to be more flexible for smaller or more urgent repairs.
Where are you based?
Work is based out of Ottawa, Illinois, with deck projects handled throughout the surrounding towns within roughly a 50 mile radius.
How far in advance do I need to book a deck project?
Spring and summer are the busiest months for deck work, so projects planned for warmer weather should be scheduled during winter or early spring. Repairs and smaller jobs usually have shorter lead times than full installations.
Do you clean up the job site when you're done?
Old lumber, fasteners, and sawdust get hauled off at the end of the project, not left for the homeowner to deal with. Job sites are kept reasonably clear during the work too, not just at the finish.
What happens if something gets damaged during the project, like my siding or lawn?
Deck construction work is covered by liability insurance, so damage to siding, landscaping, or other property during the job is handled through that coverage. Any issue is flagged and addressed directly rather than left for the homeowner to fix.
Will you finish a deck that another contractor started or abandoned?
Yes, though the existing framing gets inspected first to confirm it meets code and is structurally sound before building on top of it. Sometimes that means redoing part of what's already there before moving forward.
How can I tell the work is being done correctly?
Footings should be dug below the local frost line, ledger boards should be flashed where they meet the house, and railings should feel solid with no flex when pushed on. Asking to see the framing before the decking goes down is a reasonable request on any deck project.

Got something that needs doing?

Free estimate, a price in writing, and work we stand behind.

Get Your Free Quote Call (815) 649-5805
Call (815) 649-5805