How Do Deck Contractors Plan A Murfreesboro Deck?
A quality deck contractor will design a deck in Murfreesboro after examining your lot. This will allow for proper materials, footings & permits to be used that will suit your needs. The final thing to decide on is the deck boards. Slope, rock, drainage and your back door height come before any of that.
By Jeremy Bolton, Founder and Owner · Last updated October 29, 2026
What should deck builders check on your lot first?
Before you do any designing, deck builders will want to know about the grading, ground type and elevation of your back door. This determines how big the frame is, footings and stairs.
A good site visit should include:
Grade and slope. A yard that falls away from the house means taller posts, more bracing and sometimes a lower landing.
Shallow rock. Much of Rutherford County sits on limestone. When an auger hits rock early, the footing plan has to adjust.
Clay and drainage. Heavy clay holds water. Footings and the area under the deck need water moving away, not pooling.
Door threshold height. The deck surface should sit just below your door, so water can't run inside.
Ledger connection. Where the deck attaches to the house, proper flashing keeps rot out of your rim joist.
Buried utilities. Before any digging, Tennessee 811 needs to mark gas, power and water lines in the yard.
The amount of work required can be drastically different between two decks of equal size. A flat lot in a newer subdivision of Murfreesboro can be much easier than a sloped and rocky lot by the Stones River.
Which deck versus patio questions should you settle first?
Decide how you are going to use the area, how high you want your door and how much maintenance you would like. Most of the time the correct answer will be clear from these 3 questions.
Question | Points toward a deck | Points toward a patio |
Door height | Door sits well above the yard | Door is close to ground level |
Yard shape | Slopes away from the house | Mostly flat near the house |
Main use | Dining and grilling right off the kitchen | Fire pit or lounging out in the yard |
Upkeep | Fine with occasional cleaning | Wants almost nothing to maintain |
Future cover | Planning a roof or screen room later | Shade from trees or an umbrella is enough |
Many homeowners will get the best of both worlds. Raising your deck off the kitchen area will often mean having it step down to ground level for your fire pit area. This means you have a smaller deck and keep within your budget.
You also have to consider how much you want to increase the value of your home. Many people look for useful outdoor space, so having a layout that flows from the kitchen will be more important than how big it is.
What does composite decking change about upkeep?
Composite decking cuts out sanding, staining and sealing, but you still need to keep it clean and protect the frame underneath. It's lower maintenance, not zero maintenance.
People asking wood or composite for a deck often miss a key detail. Even with composite boards on top, the joists and beams underneath are usually pressure-treated wood. That frame still needs care:
Joist tape. A strip of flashing tape on top of each joist sheds water from the screw holes.
Spacing. Boards need the gaps the maker specifies, since composite expands in summer heat.
Hidden fasteners. Clip systems give a clean surface with no screw heads to catch bare feet.
Color choice. Darker boards get noticeably hotter in full afternoon sun.
We install Trex and TimberTech composite as well as pressure-treated, cedar and hardwood decks. Our Murfreesboro deck building page shows the full range of options we offer.
How should you vet deck contractors in Rutherford County?
Vet deck contractors by checking their state license against your project cost, confirming who pulls the permit, and getting a written contract. In Tennessee, the size of your job decides which license your builder needs.
That's where how much does a deck cost turns into a legal question. According to the state's tips for hiring a contractor:
Projects of $25,000 or more require a state contractor's license.
Projects from $3,000 to $24,999 in Rutherford County require a home improvement license.
Down payments can't be more than one-third of the contract under the home improvement law.
Insurance should be current, and workers' comp applies once a contractor has even one employee.
Next, ask who handles the permit. In the city, the Murfreesboro residential permit page notes that application review can take up to two weeks. Your contractor should pull it, not you.
Finally, get everything in writing. Ask for the license number on the contract itself, since the state requires contracts in the exact licensed name. A good contract lists materials by brand, the railing style, stair count, start window and warranty terms.
How does the permit fit into your build timeline?
The permit is generally the first stage of your project and can often be the longest part of building your deck. So when you’re asking how long does it take to build a deck don’t forget to include the time spent on permits.
This is typically:
Design and quote. Measurements, layout and material choices.
Permit application. Drawings and a site plan go to the city or county.
Footings. The crew digs the holes, and an inspector checks them before concrete goes in where required.
Framing and decking. Posts, beams, joists, then boards and railings.
Final inspection. The inspector signs off before you put the grill on it.
Weather plays a part too. The spring months can be rainy in Middle Tennessee which could cause delays. The late summer and fall months are usually consistent months for construction. Also make sure that your color of composite is in stock so that you can set a firm starting date. Special orders may cause delays.
Where do we build decks around Murfreesboro?
We build decks across Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne and the rest of Rutherford County, plus parts of the greater Nashville area. Our office is right here in Murfreesboro, so most local site visits are quick to schedule.
If you're searching for deck contractors in Murfreesboro TN, our local page above is the best place to start. People looking up who builds decks near Murfreesboro and La Vergne Tennessee can also see our La Vergne deck builders and Smyrna deck builders pages.
And if you're comparing deck builders Murfreesboro TN because you also want shade, our patio cover options pair well with a new deck.
How do you get a free deck quote?
Call (615) 713-7902 or send a request through our contact page for a free quote. Have a few photos of your yard and back door ready, since they help us plan the site visit.
Frequently asked questions
1. What does a deck cost in Murfreesboro?
Most decks will be roughly around average to start with, with prices averaging out at around $18,300 for wood and $25,100 for a composite deck (Remodeling Magazine, 2025 Cost vs Value Report). However, if you are planning to go for a tall deck, or have stairs, railings and rock digging, you may find your deck price goes up or down depending on your requirements.
2. Wood or composite for Tennessee humidity and sun?
Generally speaking, composite is a more durable option for a deck in Middle Tennessee. Due to the high humidity the summer months can cause mildew and warping of the wood boards. Composite is much more water resistant and won’t suffer from rotting or splitting. If the deck is going to be in all day sunlight then you should go for a lighter shade of composite, as the darker colours can become uncomfortable underfoot.
3. Deck or patio: which suits a sloped Rutherford County lot?
As a general rule a deck would be more suitable on a sloped garden. If you are going for a patio you will need to lay some fill dirt and often build a retaining wall to make it flat, this can quickly increase the cost. A deck can easily be made higher on the lower side with taller posts.
4. How long does a deck build take?
Most decks will take around 1-3 weeks to build once you have your permit. Larger decks with multiple levels or covers will take longer to build. Rain delays and inspections may cause a few extra days between each stage.
5. Can a deck and a cover be built together in one project?
Yes! It is often a good idea to do this. When building the footings and posts they will be sized correctly to take the weight of the roof. This means no extra reinforcement is needed. Everything will be done under one permit, one team and one schedule.
Visit or Call Us
JB's Enclosures
Address: 1349 Marymont Dr., Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Phone: (615) 713-7902
Email: [email protected]
Veteran-owned builder of decks, patio covers, screen rooms, pergolas and carports, serving Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, Rutherford County and the greater Nashville area.
