Choosing a custom deck builder starts with a fit between the work you want and the work the builder does. Look at completed projects, understand the materials being proposed, and discuss the site before relying on a price. A useful conversation should make your options clearer.
BigDecks is an Austin and Central Texas outdoor design-build company focused on real-wood decks and related outdoor work. Here are the questions to bring when considering a deck project with us or reviewing another proposal.
Look for relevant work and ask about the details
Browse completed BigDecks projects with your own yard in mind. Look at the scale of the deck, its relationship to the house, and the way stairs, fences, and paths meet. Choose a few examples and explain what you like about each.
A photograph can show an aesthetic, but it does not tell you the entire construction scope. Ask which visible details belong to the pictured project and which could be developed for yours. Avoid assuming that every project shown represents the same package.
Get specific about the wood and surface arrangement
The namesake BigDecks OG 4×12 uses real-wood surface boards in Douglas fir or Western red cedar. The little g uses 2×10 surface boards in those same woods. Ask how the board scale will look within your proposed footprint.
These dimensions describe the surface. They do not specify framing, foundations, or other structural details for every build. Those decisions need to be established for the actual site and design.
Standard Decks is our secondary entry option, with pressure-treated pine structure and surface and ring-shank nail construction. The base deck is unfinished; finish is available separately, à la carte. BigDecks does not offer composite decking.
Clarify how much design the project needs
A straightforward BigDecks build has no design fee. If your plan includes several components or needs a site plan, Design Assist provides paid 3D design and a plan. That fee is credited to the build if you proceed.
Bring the whole idea into the conversation, including future elements. Outdoor bathing, fencing, landscape and stonework, and custom metalwork may affect where the deck belongs. You can decide what to build after understanding those relationships.
Review responsibilities and unresolved questions
Ask what information is needed about site conditions, existing structures, access, and any applicable approvals. Clarify who will address each open question and which decisions must be resolved before the proposal can be finalized.
Then review the practical scope: removal, delivery access, stairs, railings, selected finish, and adjacent work. Discuss how changes will be documented and how the schedule will be confirmed for your project. A general timeline should not substitute for the actual agreement.
Compare written scopes alongside prices
If you have several proposals, check that they describe equivalent work before comparing totals. Note differences in materials, finishing, demolition, and related features. Ask for an explanation where a description is too broad to understand.
Use the BigDecks pricing tool for early planning, then start a project conversation with dimensions, site photographs, and your priorities. The written project quote confirms the scope, materials, and price so you can make a decision about a defined project.
Planning a project? Explore BigDecks OG 4×12, estimate your deck, or work through your layout with Design Assist. Material availability, pricing, and site requirements are confirmed for your project.