Deck Builders in Fort Lauderdale, FL — Composite, PVC & Pressure-Treated
Waterfront, pool and rooftop decks built with stainless hardware for Fort Lauderdale canals.
Fort Lauderdale has more than 160 miles of canals, which means a large share of the decks we build here end at a seawall cap or a dock. That changes the hardware, the framing grade and sometimes the permit path. J. Perry & Sons builds composite, PVC and pressure-treated decks across the city, from Rio Vista and Las Olas Isles canal homes to 1960s ranches west of I-95 and rooftop decks on the beach-side condos, as a licensed renovation contractor in Fort Lauderdale.
Deck Building Cost in Fort Lauderdale
| Scope | Typical size | Installed range |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine deck | 200–400 sf | $35–$55/sf |
| Composite deck (capped boards, hidden clips) | 250–500 sf | $55–$85/sf |
| PVC deck (full-synthetic, cool-touch) | 250–500 sf | $65–$95/sf |
| Rooftop or elevated deck | 150–600 sf | $90–$140/sf |
| Deck resurfacing (new boards on sound frame) | 200–400 sf | $18–$35/sf |
| Stairs, benches, pergola, dock steps | per item | By quote |
Canal-front decks run toward the top of each range because of stainless hardware and higher pressure-treated retention levels. Aluminum or glass railing is installed by our railing partner and quoted separately.
Free Estimate
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or email jperrysonsgc@gmail.com with project photos, the city, approximate dimensions, and material selections.
Fort Lauderdale homes and what that means for deck building
The city splits into a few clear housing types. East of Federal Highway and along the finger canals are 1950s–70s CBS homes, many expanded or replaced with two-story waterfront houses, with pools that run to within a few feet of the seawall. West of I-95 in neighborhoods like Riverland and Melrose Park are 1950s–60s slab-on-grade ranches on larger lots with room for a proper backyard deck. On the barrier island and along the Intracoastal are condos where a deck means a rooftop or terrace system on pedestals.
For canal homes the deck is usually the connection between the pool patio and the dock. Spray and splash hit the framing daily, so we use UC4B ground-contact pressure-treated posts and beams, 316 stainless hangers and screws, and we hold the deck a few inches off the seawall cap so water drains and the cap can be inspected. Anything that extends over or ties into the seawall or dock is a marine structure and goes through a separate review; we keep the deck landward of that line unless the owner wants to permit the dock work too.
Fort Lauderdale is in Broward's HVHZ, so the Development Services Department wants engineered drawings with uplift connectors and footing details on every deck. Footings in the city's sandy fill are typically 12–24 inches deep with rated post bases. Termite pressure is high in the older neighborhoods, especially where decks replace rotted wood decks from the 1980s; we strip old framing to the slab or soil, treat the area and start fresh rather than sister onto existing joists.
Rooftop decks on beach condos require association approval and a structural letter, and we build them on pedestals so the membrane is never penetrated.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or email jperrysonsgc@gmail.com. Send a photo of the yard or roof and rough dimensions and we'll reply with a same-day range.
How we do it in Fort Lauderdale
- Site walk with the survey. We confirm the seawall line, setbacks, pool barrier requirements and where the deck will meet existing pavers or coping.
- Pick the board. Capped composite for most pool and canal decks; PVC for full sun and spray; pressure-treated for budget decks in shaded west-side yards.
- Engineering and permit. Stamped framing and connector plan filed with Development Services; HOA or condo submittal handled with you.
- Demolition if needed. Old wood decks are removed completely, framing and fasteners hauled off, and the ground or slab treated before new footings.
- Footings and frame. Poured piers with stainless or galvanized post bases, beams and joists at 12 or 16 inches on center, uplift straps at every bearing point.
- Decking and detail. Hidden clips, picture-frame border, fascia, stair stringers at 12 inches on center with closed risers.
- Railing and final inspection. Partner installs aluminum or glass; we schedule the final and close the permit.
Related services in Fort Lauderdale
- Pavers in Fort Lauderdale
- Painting in Fort Lauderdale
- Stone Veneer in Fort Lauderdale
- Tile Installation in Fort Lauderdale
- Kitchen Renovation in Fort Lauderdale
- Bathroom Renovation in Fort Lauderdale
- Epoxy Flooring in Fort Lauderdale
Nearby service areas
- Deck Building in Hollywood
- Deck Building in Pompano Beach
- Deck Building in Davie
- Deck Building in Tamarac
- Deck Building in Weston
- Deck Building in Pembroke Pines
Planning guides: Composite vs Pressure-Treated Deck Cost in South Florida · Deck Permits in South Florida · Backyard Expansion Cost
Deck Building in Fort Lauderdale — FAQ
Can the deck connect directly to my dock? The deck can run to the landward edge of the seawall cap. Anything over the water or attached to the dock is a marine structure with its own review, so we either stop at that line or permit the dock portion as a separate item.
Do I need a permit for a low deck in Fort Lauderdale? Yes. Development Services requires a permit with engineered drawings for decks regardless of height because of HVHZ wind rules. We prepare and file it.
My old wood deck is spongy. Can you just put new boards on it? Only if the frame is sound. Most 1980s–90s pressure-treated frames near the water have rot at the posts and hangers, so resurfacing is rarely the right call. We check it and tell you straight which option makes sense.
How long does it take? Permit review in Fort Lauderdale usually runs three to six weeks. A 300–400 sf ground deck takes about one to two weeks to build; rooftop or multi-level decks two to four. The dry season from November to April keeps the schedule tight.
How do I get an exact price? Call (561) 556-7509 or email jperrysonsgc@gmail.com with a photo and rough dimensions. We reply with a range the same day and schedule a site visit for a firm written quote.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or email jperrysonsgc@gmail.com. Licensed Florida general contractor CGC1540699. Serving Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Permits and compliance handled. J. Perry & Sons pulls the permit, schedules the inspections, and builds to the city and county codes that apply — Broward and Palm Beach municipal building departments, HVHZ requirements where they apply, and HOA/condo association rules. Licensed Florida general contractor CGC1540699.
Free Estimate
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or email jperrysonsgc@gmail.com with project photos, the city, approximate dimensions, and material selections.