Ten frequently asked questions.

1. What is BigDecks?

BigDecks is a design and build company in Austin that focuses on real wood decks and outdoor spaces that actually feel designed, not just “installed.” We work with oversized Douglas Fir and other premium materials, thoughtful planting, lighting and steel details so the whole yard feels like it belongs together. Think: one big simple move that changes how you use your space, not a patchwork of small add ons.

2. Where do you work?

We are based in Austin and focus on Central Texas projects. Most of our work is in and around the Austin area. If you are a little outside the city, reach out anyway and we can tell you quickly whether it makes sense.

3. What kind of decks do you build?

We build real wood decks. No plastic boards and no fake wood. Our signature look uses large format Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar with clean simple lines and pressure treated framing underneath. We also work with a selection of thermally modified boards from a small group of suppliers here in the United States. When it makes sense, we design the whole setting around the deck too, including plants, stone, fencing and sometimes small plunge pools or saunas.

4. How much does a BigDeck cost?

Most projects start around ten thousand dollars and go up from there based on size, access, footings, railings, stone, planting and any extra work like fencing or concrete. We are not married to using our most premium materials on every job. Sometimes a more cost efficient material is the right choice for the house, the budget and the scope of work, and we are genuinely happy to do that.

Our goal is to build durable, beautiful and useful spaces for real life to happen on. That does not require the most expensive material on earth, but it does require that the work is built correctly. If someone asks us to cut corners or do it wrong just to save money, the answer is no. If a customer wants a cost efficient material with a clean, well finished look and a proper build, we are all in. This is a frequently asked question?

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

5. What does the process look like?

We keep the process simple, but there is a proper design phase required on almost every project. First, we have a short call to see if the project and budget make sense. If it does, we move into a 3D design package with our draftsman.

This design phase is 650 and includes three dimensional drawings and photo real renderings of your project for review and revision. We also gather drone footage of the site and use that in the renderings and drawings so you can see how the deck and landscape will sit in your yard.

The goal is to capture your priorities, goals and aspirations clearly so everyone is on the same page before we build. Once the design is approved, we finalize pricing, sign the agreement and schedule the build. If you want design services as a stand alone service without us building the project, that is available at a different price.This is a frequently asked question?

6. How long does a project take?

Once we are on site, smaller decks can be built in a matter of days. Larger projects with fencing, stone, planting, concrete work or more complex layouts naturally change the game and can run longer. We’ll give you a clear schedule for yourproject up front and keep you posted as we go.This is a frequently asked question?

7. Do you handle permits and HOA approvals?

Not every project needs a permit. In Austin, smaller decks under roughly 200 square feet, some “remove and replace” work that stays within the original footprint, and landscaping work are often treated more like maintenance than new construction. We can look at your specific project and talk honestly about whether a permit is typically needed or not.

If it turns out a permit is required or you simply prefer to have one, there are two ways to handle it. Many clients choose to pull the permit themselves and we support in the background with drawings, details and any responses the city needs. If you would rather not deal with the city at all, we can handle the permit for you, include that scope in our proposal and manage it as part of the full project.

For HOAs, we can provide drawings, material descriptions and photos to help with your submission or step in more directly if you want. The short version: some projects do not need permits at all, and when they do, we are here to help as much or as little as you want.This is a frequently asked question?

8. How do I take care of my deck after it is built?

Real wood needs care, but it pays you back for it. We use Cutek Extreme as our standard finish in the premium range, and Olympic products on our pressure treated range.

For thermally modified wood, Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir, we expect a recoat about six months after the deck is built, and then roughly every twelve months after that. Cutek also offers cleaners that work with their oils, and we can point you to exactly what to use and how often.

If you would rather not deal with cleaning and refinishing yourself, we offer deck maintenance and refinishing as a service and can put you on the calendar. The short version: if you want your real wood deck to stay looking good, it needs a little care on a regular rhythm, and we are happy to either show you how or handle it for you.

9. Do you only build decks?

Decks are the starting point, but most projects turn into a full outdoor setting. That can include fencing, gates, crushed stone courts, concrete pads, planters, big landscape boulders and planting. We lean toward West Texas–style plants and tough native Texas plants that are meant to be hardy and durable in real life, not just in photos.

We also work directly with a small group of manufacturers for cold plunges, hot tubs and saunas, and we are a distributor for Plungie Pools. If you want a deck, plunge, tub, plants and lighting that all feel like one idea, we can design and build that whole outside environment as a single piece.

Our work stops at the exterior. We do not go inside, we do not pull electrical permits and we do not pull plumbing permits. Instead, we work with preferred partners (licensed trades) that we coordinate with regularly, so the work gets done correctly while we stay focused on the shell, the deck and the outdoor space.

10. What makes BigDecks different from other deck builders?

We design first, then build. Every project is led by John, the designer, who has a background in architectural design and furniture that runs from steel windows and doors and fenestration, to industrial manufacturing, materials and spaces, lines and shadows. That experience shows up in how we think about scale, proportion and how a space is actually used, not just how it looks in a photo.

The first question is not “where do we put boards.” It is: what are you going to do out here, how do you want to feel and what do you want this space to do for you. From there we match the right materials and details to that plan. Oversized Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, thermally modified boards and smart pressure treated options where they make sense, laid out in a way that feels intentional with the house and the site.

We care about footing details, framing, drainage, long term durability and how light and shadow move across the deck and landscape. We will not do cheap work on purpose or build something wrong just to hit a number. If you want a temporary, cut corner deck, we are not the right fit. If you want an outdoor space that feels like a piece of architecture built for how you actually live, that is what we do.