Deck builder in Muskoka and the Almaguin Highlands.
Garland Contracting builds new decks, rebuilds tired ones and adds railings for homes, cottages and commercial properties within 100 km of Sprucedale. We level them on cottage-country ground and build them for freeze and thaw.
What goes into a deck that lasts
A deck is a small structure that lives outside in every season. It carries people, furniture and snow. It sits on footings that frost can lift, and it attaches to a house that sheds water onto it. Lasting depends on four things: footings, framing, the connection to the house and the surface.
- Footings that reach below frost, about 1.2 m (4 ft) in this region
- Framing sized for the span and the load
- A ledger bolted to solid framing, with flashing above it
- Guards, stairs and railings that meet the Ontario Building Code
- Decking and fasteners chosen for the wear and the finish you want
Decking choices
| Surface | What to know |
|---|---|
| Pressure-treated lumber | Lowest cost, available everywhere and built to take weather. It needs sealing or staining to look good. |
| Cedar | Warm look and good natural resistance. It weathers to grey unless you finish it. |
| Composite and PVC boards | Low upkeep and no staining. They cost more up front and need correct spacing and fastening. |
The photos show a finished deck with steps and a deck in the framing stage with a landing. The framing stage shows what most owners never see: the joists, the beams and the posts that hold everything up.
Permits
In Huntsville, a deck needs a building permit unless it sits no higher than 24 inches above the ground and has no roof, or covers no more than 10 square metres and stands apart from other buildings. Other townships set their own rules, and waterfront lots can add site plan approval. We check what applies to your property when we quote the job.
Guards matter too. Under the Ontario Building Code, a deck with a drop of more than 600 mm to the ground needs a guard. Stairs need consistent steps and handrails. We build to those rules.
Rebuilds and repairs
Many deck jobs start with an old deck. We look at the footings, the posts, the beams, the joists and the ledger, then tell you what to keep and what to replace. Sometimes the surface boards wear out while the frame stays sound, and a resurface costs less than a rebuild. Sometimes the ledger or the posts have rotted, and the deck needs rebuilding from the framing up. See rot repair for how we handle rotted framing.
Decks on commercial properties
We build decks, patios and railings for resorts, lodges, rental and multi-unit properties and businesses. A commercial deck needs a clear scope, a plan for the work around guests and a build that meets the Building Code for public use. Send the plans or a description of the project. Dylan walks the site and sets the price.
Signs your deck needs work
- Boards that bounce, split or feel soft underfoot
- A deck that pulls away from the house or leans
- Railings that move when you lean on them
- Dark stains or fungus on joists and the ledger
- Posts that rock at the base or sit in wet soil
- Stairs with loose treads or uneven steps
A deck with loose railings or a pulling ledger is a safety problem. Stay off it until someone checks it. Send photos from above and from underneath, and we tell you what we see.
Planning a new deck
- Size and shape: how many people, and what furniture
- Height above ground: it sets the permit question, the guard and the stairs
- Orientation: sun, shade and the view
- Doors: which doors the deck must serve
- Access: a gate or stairs to the yard
- Lighting, privacy and storage under the deck
Mark the outline on the ground with stakes and string, or tape a rough plan on a photo, and send it. A rough sketch with numbers tells us more than a long description. We walk through the options and the permit question when we quote.
Getting a price
Fill out the form or text photos of the site to (705) 238-8634. For a new deck, send a rough size, the height above ground and a photo of the spot. For a rebuild, send photos of the framing from underneath. Quotes are free.
Questions about decks
Do I need a permit to build or rebuild a deck?
In Huntsville, a deck needs a building permit unless it sits no higher than 24 inches above the ground and has no roof, or covers no more than 10 square metres and stands apart from other buildings. Other townships set their own rules, and waterfront lots can add site plan approval. We check what applies when we quote.
How deep do deck footings go?
Footings go below frost depth, about 1.2 m (4 ft) in this region, so freezing ground cannot lift them. The building official confirms the requirement for your property.
Do you rebuild old decks?
Yes. We build new decks, rebuilds and railings for homes, cottages and commercial properties. We inspect the footings, framing and ledger before we decide what to keep.
Do you build decks on waterfront cottages?
Yes. We work on cottages around Lake Rosseau, Lake Muskoka and Lake of Bays and across the Almaguin Highlands.
What decking should I choose?
Pressure-treated lumber costs the least, cedar looks warm and composite needs the least upkeep. We help you choose based on your budget and how much maintenance you want.
How big should my deck be?
It depends on how you use it. A table for four needs about three metres square, and a lounge area needs more. Send a photo and a rough size, and we suggest a layout.
Keep reading
Where we do this work
- Decks in Muskoka
- Decks in Almaguin Highlands
- Decks in Sprucedale
- Decks in Huntsville
- Decks in Parry Sound
Other services
Request a free quote or call (705) 238-8634. Page updated October 27, 2026.