Frequently Asked
Questions

ProDecks Delaware serves a 30-mile radius from New Castle, DE. This includes communities throughout Delaware (Wilmington, Newark, Bear, Middletown, Hockessin, and more), parts of Maryland (Elkton, North East, Perryville), southeastern Pennsylvania (Chester, Marcus Hook), and western New Jersey (Pennsville). Visit our Service Areas page for a complete list.

Call (302) 358-8493, use the contact form or request a site visit. Share your property address, approximate dimensions, photos and goals so the team can discuss the next step and prepare a project-specific estimate.

Ask ProDecks for current licensing and insurance documents relevant to your property jurisdiction and proposed work before signing a contract.

ProDecks offers residential deck, fence and patio work. Ask the team about experience with projects similar to yours and request relevant examples from the portfolio.

We understand that outdoor construction is a significant investment. While we don't currently offer in-house financing, we can recommend trusted third-party financing partners that many of our customers have used successfully. Contact us to discuss payment plans and options that work for your budget.

Size, material, height, framing, stairs, railings, access and removal all affect the price. A surface-only replacement and a complete new deck are different scopes. Request a written estimate that identifies the included work and selected products.

Compare composite, pressure-treated wood and cedar for your budget, maintenance preferences, exposure and intended use. Composite can reduce refinishing work but still needs cleaning. Follow the exact product’s installation, care and warranty documents.

The schedule depends on design, site access, materials, required approvals and weather. Ask for a project-specific schedule that separates preparation and approval time from construction. Confirm the current review process with the responsible authority.

For qualifying one- and two-family properties under county rules, the detached-deck exemption requires a deck of no more than 200 square feet, no point above 30 inches from grade, and a location neither adjacent nor attached to the dwelling. Replacement deck boards and railings are listed separately. Structural repairs, rebuilds and other changes need a scope-specific check. Municipal requirements may differ; confirm the address and work with the responsible authority.

Wood offers a natural appearance and needs care appropriate to the species and finish. Composite typically reduces staining and sealing work but still needs cleaning. Compare the selected products, installation requirements, care and written warranty terms rather than assuming a universal lifespan.

Keep debris from accumulating and follow the manufacturer’s care instructions for your specific decking and finish. Check for loose boards, movement in rails or stairs and visible damage. Discuss concerns with the team before treating a surface problem as routine cleaning.

Absolutely! Uneven or sloped terrain is actually one of ProDecks' specialties. We design multi-level decks, elevated platforms, and stepped structures that work with your terrain rather than against it. Sloped yards in areas like Hockessin and Pike Creek often result in the most dramatic and beautiful deck designs, with built-in stairs and tiered entertaining spaces.

Fence length and height, material, gates, slope, access and removal determine the estimate. Send approximate measurements and photos, then compare written quotes for the same scope and material.

Choose the fence for privacy, boundaries, appearance and the way you use the yard. Material, condition and neighborhood expectations matter; a resale return cannot be promised. Compare wood, vinyl and aluminum options for your property.

New Castle County exempts ordinary fences from building permits, except swimming-pool barriers. Floodplain, historic, zoning and private restrictions may still apply. Check the property jurisdiction first: incorporated cities may have their own approvals. Confirm height, placement, visibility, utility and HOA or deed requirements for the address before work begins.

Fence length, terrain, removal, gate work, materials and access affect the schedule. Ask the estimate to distinguish preparation, any required approvals and on-site installation time.

Durability depends on the selected product, installation, exposure and care. Vinyl and aluminum can reduce refinishing work compared with wood, but all fences need periodic checks of panels, posts, gates and hardware.

ProDecks offers storm-damage, post, board, panel and ordinary gate repairs. Repairability depends on the surrounding fence and available matching materials. Send photos and the property address so the team can discuss targeted repair versus replacement.

Patio area, material, excavation, base preparation, drainage, access and added features affect the total. Request a written estimate for your property rather than treating a general per-square-foot figure as a quote.

Concrete pavers are the best all-around choice for Delaware patios. They handle freeze-thaw cycles better than poured concrete (individual pavers flex without cracking), drain well, and come in hundreds of colors and patterns. For a premium look, bluestone and natural flagstone are excellent choices. Stamped concrete offers a budget-friendly alternative with good durability.

Most residential patio installations take 3-7 days. A simple 200 sq ft paver patio can be completed in 3-4 days. Larger patios, those requiring significant grading or drainage work, and projects with features like fire pits or seating walls take 5-10 days. Stamped concrete requires additional curing time (3-7 days before use).

For work under New Castle County rules, non-structural patios and decorative hardscaping no more than 30 inches above grade are listed as exempt from building permits. Other work and zoning restrictions may still apply. Check the jurisdiction, grading, utilities and proposed features before work begins.

Absolutely! Fire pits and outdoor kitchens are among our most popular patio features. We build custom fire pits (gas or wood-burning), outdoor kitchen islands with built-in grills and countertops, seating walls, pizza ovens, and more. These features transform your patio into a true outdoor living space. Gas fire pits require a plumber for the gas line, which we coordinate.