Start with the material decision
Material is one of the biggest decisions in a deck, and composite is not automatically the right answer. Pressure-treated wood, cedar, and composite each create a different maintenance plan, appearance, and construction scope. We compare them during the free design consultation and estimate the option that fits your home.
| Material | Maintenance | Lifespan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | High — clean & refinish every few years | 15–20 years with upkeep | Real wood appearance and owners comfortable with periodic care |
| Cedar | Moderate–high — real-wood finish to keep up | 15–25 years with upkeep | Homeowners who want real-wood grain and warmth |
| Composite (Trex/TimberTech/AZEK/Fiberon) | Lowest — occasional cleaning, no refinishing | 25–50 years, holds color in full sun | Long-term ownership and low-maintenance priorities |
Pressure-treated wood and cedar need ongoing cleaning and refinishing. Composite avoids refinishing and holds color well, but the product selection and supporting details still matter. There is no universal winner; the right recommendation depends on how long you plan to stay, the look you want, and how much maintenance you want to own.
What belongs in a complete deck estimate
A deck is more than decking boards. A useful estimate accounts for the whole structure and the project conditions:
- Footings & concrete. Holes dug and poured to the locally required frost depth and sized for the design.
- Permit & inspections. The applicable municipal review and required inspections. See the McHenry County permit guide for the town-by-town process.
- Framing & hardware. Posts, beams, joists, the ledger connection and flashing, joist hangers, and structural fasteners. This is the skeleton you never see and can't cheap out on.
- Decking. The selected boards, fastening system, border details, and layout.
- Railings. The chosen system, total perimeter, post layout, gates, and transitions.
- Stairs. The number of runs, landing needs, framing, treads, guards, and handrails.
- Lighting & extras. Built-in stair and railing lighting, benches, planters, and multi-level tiers all add to scope.
- Site conditions. Height, demolition, access, grading, utilities, landscaping protection, and material staging.
Why Northern Illinois needs a site-specific review
Generic calculators miss the details that determine the actual construction plan in this market.
Frost footings shape the structure
Northern Illinois footings must reach the locally required frost depth. Soil, utilities, access, footing count, and municipal details all need to be reviewed before the structure can be estimated responsibly.
A five-month build season
Deck building and staining season in Northern Illinois runs roughly late April through early October — about five months. That compressed window means demand stacks into a short stretch, and the summer calendar fills fast. Homeowners who book their consult in late winter or early spring get the summer dates; the ones who wait until June are competing for what's left.
Labor and code
Proper ledger flashing, structural fasteners, guard heights, stair geometry, and inspections are part of the build—not optional add-ons. A complete estimate starts with the work required to pass inspection and perform safely.
Composite vs. wood — think beyond installation day
Real wood needs periodic cleaning and refinishing. Composite needs cleaning but not refinishing. The right comparison includes how long you expect to own the home, the appearance you prefer, sun exposure, product warranty, and how much maintenance you want to handle over time.
There is no universally right answer. We explain the tradeoffs during the consultation and estimate the design and material you actually choose.
How our deck estimates work
We start with a free design consultation and site review. Size, material, height, railings, stairs, demolition, access, utilities, and local requirements are documented before the estimate is prepared. That is the only responsible way to estimate a deck without inventing a number from incomplete information.
Ready to plan your project? Start with a free deck design consultation and estimate. If permits are on your mind, our McHenry County deck permit guide explains the local process.