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Custom deck and patio
Decks, Patios & Outdoor

The other half of your home.
Built to be lived in.

Marin's climate is the gift — and Marin homes earn most of their value when the inside flows seamlessly to the outside. We design and build decks, patios, and outdoor living spaces that actually get used: morning coffee, evening dinners, kids' birthdays, ten Augusts in a row.

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What separates a great deck.

A deck is more than its decking. It's the substructure that won't sag in year ten, the lateral connection to the house that meets current code, the railing that feels solid when you lean on it, the lighting that lets you actually use the space after dark, and the transitions between deck, patio, lawn, and pool that make the outside feel like one continuous space rather than a set of disconnected zones.

Two generations of building outdoor spaces in Marin has taught us where the failures hide — bad ledger flashing, undersized footings for the soil, drainage that ponds against the house, deck boards installed without thermal expansion gaps. We design and build for the full life of the space, not the photograph at install.

What we build.

Composite decks

Trex, TimberTech, AZEK. Hidden fasteners, picture-frame edges, integrated lighting.

Hardwood decks

Ipe, mahogany, redwood. Properly finished and back-primed for Marin coastal exposure.

Flagstone & paver patios

Sand-set or mortar-set on properly graded and compacted base. Permeable options where appropriate.

Pergolas & shade structures

Cedar, redwood, or steel. Engineered for actual wind loads, not just appearance.

Outdoor kitchens

Built-in grills, refrigeration, sinks, counters. Plumbed and wired for year-round use.

Built-in seating

Bench seats, planter walls, fire pit surrounds — designed in, not added on.

Integrated lighting

Path, step, deck-edge, post-top. Low-voltage, designed in layers, dimmer-controllable.

Railing systems

Cable, glass, traditional wood. Code-compliant connections that feel solid for decades.

Drainage & grading

Water moves away from the house. Always. The boring detail that determines if your foundation lasts.

Patio detail

Process: from concept to first coffee outside.

  1. 01

    Discovery walk

    How you'll use the space, sun and wind exposure, sightlines, the relationship to the house.

  2. 02

    Design concept

    Layout sketches and material samples. We bring physical decking and stone to you.

  3. 03

    Detailed bid

    Line-item by component. Decking, structural, railing, lighting, finish work — separate so you can flex scope.

  4. 04

    Permits

    We handle structural calcs, permit, and inspections.

  5. 05

    Build

    Footings, structural, decking, finish — in that order, with site protection throughout.

  6. 06

    Lighting & integrations

    Low-voltage, audio, smart-home tie-ins wired during build, not bolted on after.

  7. 07

    Final walk & warranty

    Owner walk, written workmanship warranty, return visit at 6 months for any settling adjustments.

Decks & patios FAQ.

Composite or hardwood deck — which should I choose? +
Composite (Trex, TimberTech, AZEK) is low-maintenance and 25-30 year life — no annual staining, no splintering. Hardwood (ipe, mahogany, redwood) looks better and ages beautifully but needs maintenance. For most Marin clients we recommend composite for its low long-term cost and resilience to coastal weather. For owners who want the look and don't mind the upkeep, ipe is exceptional.
How long does a deck or patio project take? +
A typical 400-600 sq ft deck: 2-4 weeks. A larger composite deck with built-in benches and integrated lighting: 4-6 weeks. Flagstone or paver patios: 2-5 weeks depending on grading and base prep. Permitting can add 4-8 weeks for raised decks over 30 inches.
Do you do permits for decks? +
Yes. Decks over 30 inches above grade require a permit in most Marin jurisdictions. We pull permits, handle inspections, and follow current code for railings, footings, and structural connections. Skipping the permit is one of the most common ways homeowners get stuck at resale — we don't recommend it.
Can you integrate lighting and audio outside? +
Yes. Low-voltage path and accent lighting, integrated step lighting, deck speakers tied into the indoor Sonos or Lutron system. Wired during framing so it disappears into the design rather than being bolted on later.
Do you handle the structural underneath? +
Yes. Footings, beams, ledger boards, joist hangers — all engineered and inspected. The cosmetic decking is what people see; the structural underneath is what determines whether it's still safe in year fifteen. We don't shortcut either.

Decks & Patios across the Bay Area.

Pick the location that matches your project. Each page covers local permitting, neighborhood notes, and how we work in your area.

Tell us about your outdoor space.

First call is free, no pressure, real answers.

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