Step outside, look at your backyard, and be honest: does your deck invite you to stay awhile, or does it whisper, “maybe next weekend”? If splinters, wobbly rails, and faded boards keep you from enjoying a spring sunset, it might be time for an upgrade. At Hammerhead Renovation & Repair, we’ve rebuilt enough tired decks around Montgomery to know the tipping points—and how to make the makeover painless.
Below is a straightforward roadmap: how to spot the “replace-me” warning signs, plan a layout that actually fits your life, pick materials that laugh at Texas weather, and find a builder who’ll treat your yard like their own.
1. Five Clues Your Deck Is Begging for Retirement
- Spongy footsteps. If the boards bounce when you walk, rot or loose joists are lurking underneath.
- Rust that won’t quit. Corroded screws and brackets don’t just look rough; they weaken the frame.
- Railings that shimmy. A shaky guardrail is an accident waiting to happen—especially with kids or guests leaning over.
- Permanent mildew streaks. Green or black stains that laugh at your pressure washer mean the wood’s protective layer is long gone.
- It just feels cramped. Maybe the deck was fine when the kids were toddlers, but now there’s a grill, a smoker, a patio set for six, and zero elbow room.
If two or more of those sound familiar, repairs will only kick the can down the road. A rebuild lets you start fresh and design for the way you actually live today.
2. Picture Your Perfect Weekend First—Measure Later
Too many homeowners pick a size and shape first, then try to shoehorn their life into it. Flip that order. Close your eyes and picture a Saturday at 6 p.m.:
- Do you see friends gathered around the smoker, swapping fishing stories?
- Kids splashing beneath a shade sail while you sip sweet tea?
- A solo sunset routine with yoga mat and string lights?
Write down what really matters—seating for eight, space for a fire pit, a tucked-away nook for morning coffee. That wishlist will guide every design decision that follows.
3. Find the Sweet Spot: Placement and Flow
Montgomery sun can toast a bare deck by noon, so orientation matters. South-facing builds catch the most rays; west-facing decks roast during late-day heat. If natural shade is scarce, pencil in a pergola or roof extension.
Also watch the traffic pattern between kitchen, deck, and yard. A grilling station belongs close to the back door, but you don’t want guests weaving through smoke to reach seating. Step off the porch, walk the imaginary routes, and adjust before the first post hole is dug.
4. Choose Materials That Don’t Melt in Texas
Pressure-treated pine is the budget hero—plentiful and sturdy, but it needs annual sealing to stay sharp.
Cedar or redwood cost more but resist insects and decay naturally. They age into a silver patina many homeowners love.
Composites (think Trex) combine wood fibers and recycled plastic. They shrug off sun, stains, and splinters—no sanding or staining—though you’ll pay a premium up front.
When clients ask what we’d build for our own homes, we factor three things: the time they realistically have for maintenance, how long they plan to stay in the house, and whether the look of real wood is a must-have or a nice-to-have. Those answers usually pick the material for us.
5. The Builder Question: Why “Local” Isn’t Just a Slogan
You’ve seen the Google results: dozens of contractors promising “quality decks at unbeatable prices.” Here’s why choosing a crew rooted in Montgomery pays off:
- They know the soil. Our clay mix holds moisture; footings need the right depth and concrete blend to keep posts from shifting.
- They understand city rules. Setbacks, rail-height codes, and permit quirks vary street by street. A local pro walks into the building office on a first-name basis.
- They have a reputation to protect. We bump into clients at H-E-B. If we cut corners, word spreads fast.
At Hammerhead, that hometown accountability comes wrapped in veteran-owned discipline: we show up when we say, clean up like we were never there, and build it right the first time.
6. Budget Talk Without the Dance
Ballpark numbers help you plan—so here’s a quick, no-fluff cheat sheet (labor and materials combined):
| Deck Size | Pressure-Treated | Cedar/Redwood | Composite |
| 12’×12′ | $6–8 K | $8–10 K | $10–12 K |
| 16’×20′ | $12–15 K | $15–18 K | $18–22 K |
Add-ons (pergola, built-in benches, lighting) start around $1 K each
Those numbers shift with lumber costs and design tweaks, but they beat guessing games. Once we meet on-site and firm up your vision, we lock an all-in price so you can sign with confidence.
7. From Sketch to Sizzle—Our Three-Step Process
- Walk-through & wishlist. We measure, listen, and sketch options on the spot.
- Design & quote. You’ll see a 3-D rendering, pick colors and rail styles, and approve a tidy line-item proposal—no hidden extras.
- Build & enjoy. Our crew handles permits, demolition, and construction. We finish with a thorough sweep and a walk-through checklist before handing the space back to you.
Ready for a Backyard Worth Bragging About?
If your current deck feels more “make do” than “made for you,” let’s change that. Call or text Hammerhead Renovation & Repair, and we’ll set up a no-pressure visit. By the time the first cold front rolls through, you could be sipping coffee on a rock-solid deck that turns every sunset into an event.
See you on the back porch, neighbor.
