Decks built to last.
Footings, framing and flashing done right, from the ground up. A small shop, so the carpenter who quotes your deck is the one who builds it.
New decks, and the repairs that keep old ones standing.
New decks and stairs
Custom decks sized to how you use the space, with stairs and railings built to sit square and feel solid underfoot.
Rebuilds of tired or failing decks
We open it up, find out why it failed, and fix the cause. Often the frame is sound and only the surface needs replacing. We will tell you which one you have.
Beam, footing and ledger repair
A sagging, bouncing or pulling-away deck usually has a structural reason. We reinforce or replace the part that is failing.
Rot repair and proper flashing
Water behind a ledger causes most deck and wall damage. We repair the rot and flash the connection so it stays dry.
The parts you cannot see are the parts that decide how long it lasts.
- We build the hidden parts first.Footings sized for your soil and frost, a ledger that is fastened and flashed correctly, and framing that stays dry. These are where most decks fail.
- The carpenter does the quote.You deal with one person from the first call to the final walkthrough, and we keep to the plan we agreed.
- Building-science thinking.We have built to Passive House standard. That means we think about moisture and air as seriously as we think about lumber.
- A small shop on purpose.We take on a limited number of builds each season so every one gets proper attention.
From first call to finished deck.
- Call or textTell us what you have or what you want.
- Site visitWe look at the site, measure and talk through options.
- Written quoteA clear written scope and one price for the job.
- Build and walkthroughWe build it, then walk it with you before we leave.
Decks Shannon has built.
Work from Shannon's years in the trade. More Sage projects will be added here as they are finished.
Before you call.
Do I need a permit for my deck?
Many decks do. It depends on the height, size and location. We will tell you what applies to your deck at the site visit.
What should I build the surface from?
We build with all of these, and the right one depends on your budget, how the deck is used and how much upkeep you want.
- Pressure-treated. The lowest cost. It needs sealing or staining on a regular schedule.
- Cedar. Naturally rot-resistant, light and easy on bare feet. It is a softer wood, so it dents more, and it weathers to silver grey unless you keep it finished.
- Douglas fir. Strong and straight-grained, with a warm colour. It needs a good finish and regular upkeep to hold up outdoors.
- Ipe and other hardwoods. Very dense and very long lasting, with a rich dark look. They cost more and are harder to work, so they take more labour to install.
- Composite. Costs more up front and needs the least upkeep.
We will walk through the options at the site visit and quote the ones you like.
Can you fix my deck, or does it need to come down?
Often the frame is sound and only part of it needs work. After we look at the framing, footings and ledger, we will tell you plainly which one you have.
When should I book for spring?
Spring fills up. We book a limited number of builds each season, so call or text early for a site visit.
Where do you work?
Halifax and the Halifax region.
Call or text for a site visit and a written quote.
Tell us where you are and what you want built or fixed. A photo helps.
902-580-9633shannon@sagecarpentry.com · @sage.carpentry
Serving Halifax and the Halifax region.