Custom Deck Builder in Pasadena, CA

We design, build, repair and resurface decks in Pasadena and throughout the San Gabriel Valley. We are a licensed Class B General Building contractor, CSLB #992200, active and bonded, and we have been working in Pasadena since 1998. You can verify the license at cslb.ca.gov. That matters more than usual on deck work, because a deck is a structure that people stand on, and this is one of the few trades where unlicensed operators are common.

DO YOU NEED A PERMIT FOR A DECK IN PASADENA?

Usually yes. A deck is exempt from a building permit in Pasadena only if it is 200 square feet or less AND no more than 30 inches above grade at any point measured from natural grade. Both conditions have to be true. That word "and" catches a lot of Pasadena projects, because so many lots here slope. A deck that is 18 inches off the ground at the house can easily be more than 30 inches off the ground at the far corner, and at that moment it is permitted work regardless of its size. Anything attached to the house, anything with a roof, and anything serving as a required exit also needs a permit.

We pull the permit. If a deck builder tells you a permit is not needed without measuring your grade at the low corner, that is a reason to keep looking. Unpermitted decks surface at resale, at appraisal, and in insurance claims.

WHAT A DECK COSTS

Deck pricing in this market is driven by height off the ground, access to the back yard, soil and footing conditions, the decking material, and railing. A ground-level deck on a flat lot with a wide side yard is straightforward. An elevated deck on a hillside lot with hand-carry access and deep footings is a different project entirely, and the framing below the surface is where most of that money goes.

On return, the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report for the Pacific region puts a wood deck addition at about 102.5 percent of cost recouped at resale. It is one of the very few remodeling projects in the report that returns more than it costs, and it is the reason a deck is usually the least risky outdoor money you can spend on a Pasadena house.

We price per project after seeing the site. What we will not do is quote a deck over the phone by square foot, because the footings and the framing are the price, and nobody can see those from a phone call.

DECKING MATERIALS, STRAIGHT COMPARISON

Pressure-treated pine. The least expensive framing and decking option. Needs cleaning and re-sealing on a regular cycle. Fine for a budget-conscious ground-level deck.

Redwood and cedar. The traditional Southern California choice and the right look on a Craftsman or bungalow. Naturally rot and insect resistant, ages to a silver gray if left unsealed, needs periodic maintenance to hold its color.

Composite, including Trex and TimberTech. Higher up-front cost, essentially no sanding, staining or sealing. Will not splinter. Best value over a fifteen to twenty-five year horizon, and the option most of our clients choose when they intend to stay in the house.

Ipe and tropical hardwood. The most expensive and the most durable. Extremely dense, very long service life, requires oiling to keep its color and specialized fasteners to install correctly.

DECK REPAIR AND RESURFACING

Not every deck needs to be torn out. If the posts, beams and joists are sound, resurfacing with new decking and railing costs a fraction of a rebuild and buys many more years. What we inspect first: the ledger board and its flashing where the deck meets the house, which is the single most common point of failure and the cause of most deck collapses; post bases in contact with soil; joist hangers and fasteners for corrosion; guardrail height and baluster spacing against current code; and stair stringers and treads. We will tell you honestly which of those your deck needs, including when the answer is that it should come down.

WHAT WE BUILD

Deck planning and design, custom wood deck construction, composite and Trex deck construction, elevated and hillside decks, ledger boards and properly installed structural posts, deck frames built to code, pressure-treated and composite decking and railing installation, stair stringer repair and baluster replacement, deck plank post and stair tread replacement, handrail maintenance and joist reinforcement, porches, pergolas and covered patios.

HILLSIDE AND HISTORIC LOTS

A lot of Pasadena and Altadena sits on slope. Hillside decks mean deeper footings, engineered connections and often a structural review, which adds time to permitting. If your house is a designated landmark or a contributor in one of Pasadena's landmark or National Register districts, a deck visible from the public right-of-way may require design review. We will tell you at the estimate whether your project crosses that line.

OUR WORKMANSHIP WARRANTY

We warranty our workmanship for one year. Manufacturer warranties on materials, fixtures and appliances are separate and come from the manufacturer.

HOW TO CHECK THAT WE ARE LICENSED

Go to cslb.ca.gov, choose Check a License, and enter 992200. Under California law your down payment on a home improvement contract is capped at the lesser of $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price.

INSURANCE, CREWS AND HOURS

We carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Ask any contractor for both certificates before work starts. We provide ours on request. A contractor without workers’ compensation means an injury on your property can become your liability.

Our core crew is in-house. Specialty trades, meaning electrical, plumbing and HVAC, are performed by licensed subcontractors we have worked with for years, working under our license, our supervision and our one year workmanship warranty. You get one point of contact and one company accountable for the finished result.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. Estimates are free.

Call (626) 744-0402 for a free on-site estimate. You will get a written, itemized proposal with stated allowances and exclusions. We serve Pasadena, Altadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Arcadia, Sierra Madre, La Canada Flintridge, Glendale, Temple City, San Gabriel, Alhambra, Monrovia, Eagle Rock and Duarte.

WHAT PASADENA HOMEOWNERS SAY ABOUT HANDYMAN CONNECTION OF PASADENA

"My need was for the deck in my backyard which needed much renovation. Long story short, I strongly recommend to all who are looking for a handyman company to utilize the services of HC. The constructionist, Ray, rebuilt my deck to my complete satisfaction. I was very impressed with the final product. At every stage, Ray took the time to explain the details and construction." — Arthur E., 2026, Google, 5 stars

"Reinaldo did a great job building and installing a custom door to enclose a small storage space on our roof-deck. We appreciated how he checked in with us along the way - he kept us apprised of when he would be arriving, and he explained different options so that we could make informed decisions." — Kristen A., July 2024, Google, 5 stars

"Many times we are not even there, they promptly send one of their craftsmen to take a look at the job (these are exterior work) and they will send us photos with the resolution and a free quote." — Taylor R., February 2020, Google, 5 stars

Reviews are of Handyman Connection of Pasadena, our parent company, and are reproduced as written from its Google Business Profile.