Step 1
Set the height
We start with door thresholds, finished deck height, footing locations and the grade change below.
Decks in Central Ohio
Deck builders in Columbus: wood and composite decks with stairs and landings for Central Ohio homes.
House-to-yard transitions
Deck builders in Columbus and Central Ohio
Peabody Landscape Group designs and builds wood and composite decks for homes in Columbus and across Central Ohio, with the stairs, landings, railings and lighting that go with them. A deck puts outdoor space right off the kitchen when the house sits high or the yard slopes away, and it steps down to the patio, lawn or pool below. We also build the patios, walls and planting around it, so the deck and the yard are planned together. To talk about your deck, call (614) 488-2877 or use the contact form on this page. Where the yard drops away, a retaining wall can level the ground beneath it. For what outdoor projects cost, see our landscaping cost guide. We build in Upper Arlington, Worthington, Dublin and the towns around Columbus as part of a landscape design and build project.
How we build a deck: footings, stairs and landings
A deck is a raised, framed floor off the house, built on footings, with stairs and railings. We plan the footings, framing, decking, railings and lighting together with the patio and planting below, so the deck and the yard are built as one project. In Central Ohio that also means planning for freeze and thaw, heavy clay soil and water under the deck.
The stairs and landings make the biggest difference day to day. They have to be comfortable to climb, meet code and come down where you actually want to go, whether that is the patio, the grill or the garden path.
Wood or composite is the main material choice. Composite boards need less upkeep and keep a steady color. Cedar and pressure-treated wood have a natural look and need sealing or staining over the years. Railings can be wood, aluminum, cable or composite. A roof or pergola over part of a deck makes a covered deck; see our pergolas and pavilions.
How We Build It
Built from the footings up
A good deck starts with finished height, door access, stair placement and where you want to go from it. We normally keep the same crew on the build from the footings to the railings.
The proposal covers the deck size, materials, railings and stairs in writing before we start.
Step 2
Place stairs and landings
Stairs and landings meet code and connect cleanly to the house, patio and lawn.
Step 3
Frame, drain and walk it
Framing, attachment and drainage under the deck are planned together, and we walk the finished deck with you before the job is called done.
Decks
Deck Gallery
Decks, stairs and landings from Peabody projects across Central Ohio.
What We Plan For: Height, Stairs and Permits
- Wood vs. composite decking
- Footing depth, framing, and attachment to the house
- Stair placement, landing size, and rail requirements
- Relationship to patios, pools, doors, and grade
- A roof or pergola over the deck
- Lighting, outlets, and under-deck drainage where appropriate
- Permit and inspection rules in your city
Wood and Composite Decking Options
- Composite decking
- Cedar and pressure-treated lumber
- Aluminum, cable, composite, or wood railings
- Concrete footings and structural framing
- Low-voltage stair and rail lighting
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you build decks in Columbus and Central Ohio?
Yes. We design and build wood and composite decks for homes in Columbus and the towns around it, including Upper Arlington, Worthington and Dublin. Call (614) 488-2877 or use the contact form to ask about your house.
How much does a deck cost in Columbus?
It depends on the size, the height off the ground, the decking and railing you choose, and the stairs, so a price starts with a look at the house and yard. Our landscaping cost guide for Central Ohio explains what moves the price of outdoor projects.
Wood or composite decking?
Composite needs less upkeep and holds a consistent appearance. Wood has a natural feel and can be the right fit when the house or setting calls for it, but it needs sealing or staining over the years. We help you choose for your house and how much upkeep you want.
Deck or patio?
A deck works where the house sits high or the yard drops away, because it brings a level surface up to the door. A patio works where the ground is close to level. Many yards use both: a deck off the house and stairs down to a patio. See our patios and walkways.
Can a deck be covered?
Yes. A pergola or a roofed pavilion over all or part of a deck makes it usable in more weather. The posts need footings that carry the roof, so it is best planned with the deck. See our pergolas and pavilions.
Do decks need permits?
Often. Your city may require a permit, and footings, attachment, railing height, stairs and structural spans are governed by local code. We account for that during design, and your proposal lists any permit work before we begin.
Can you add lighting to a deck?
Yes. Step lights, post lights and low-voltage lighting under the rail make stairs safe at night and are easiest to wire while the deck is being built.
Can a deck hold a hot tub?
Yes, with framing designed for the weight of a filled tub. Often a hot tub sits better on a patio at grade with the deck stepping down to it. We help you choose based on the yard.
Can a deck connect to a patio or pool area?
Yes. The cleanest projects plan deck stairs, landings, patio edges, and pool access together so the transitions feel intentional.
Can you build the deck and the landscaping together?
Yes. We build decks, patios, walls and planting as one landscape design and build project, so the grading, drainage and lighting are planned together.
Built Work
Decks in Finished Projects
Peabody projects in Central Ohio where this work is part of the whole landscape.
Central Ohio
Poolside Stone Terraces
A pool landscape with terraced natural limestone walls, broad stone steps, boulder edges, paver surfaces, deck transitions, and layered planting.
View Project
Worthington, OH
Wooded Deck & Pavilion
A wooded backyard in Worthington, Ohio with a raised deck, a covered pavilion, a stone terrace, garden beds, railings, and step transitions.
View ProjectRequest a deck consultation in Columbus
Tell us how you would like to use the deck. We will reply to set a time to look at the house and yard with you.