Deck construction in MetroWest and Worcester County, MA
A good deck turns the back door into a second living room for half the year. We build new decks and rebuild tired ones, sized for how your family uses the yard, with the permit handled and a written estimate before any work is scheduled.
Deck construction at Gamache Construction
Gamache Construction is a family-owned contractor in Northborough, Massachusetts that designs, builds and repairs decks for homes across MetroWest and Worcester County. It has been in business since 2006, and owner Chris Gamache runs the three construction crews that do the framing and finish work. Deck projects range from a new deck off the kitchen to repairs, railing replacements, built-in seating, pergolas, gazebos and outdoor kitchens. The company pulls the building permit, schedules the inspections and brings in an electrician when a deck needs lighting or power. Estimates are free and written, with the scope, the material options and the price, and the labor carries a warranty.
What does deck construction include?
It covers the deck itself and everything built onto it, from the footings to the railing cap. Most projects start with a new deck or the replacement of one that has reached the end of its life, and grow from there into seating, shade or a cooking area.
Design guidance is part of the first visit: where the deck should sit, how big it needs to be for the table and grill you have, and where the stairs land in the yard.
- Custom deck design sized to the house and the yard
- Material selection, from pressure-treated lumber to composite decking
- Footings, framing, decking, stairs and the finished build
- Deck repairs, rebuilds and renovations
- Pergolas and gazebos
- Built-in benches, planters and storage
- Outdoor kitchens built into the deck plan
- Railings, plus staining and sealing for wood decks
Pressure-treated or composite decking?
The choice comes down to upfront cost against upkeep. The difference shows in the boards and railings you see and walk on. Other materials can be priced as options in your estimate.
| Decking | What it is | Upkeep | Tends to suit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated lumber | Wood treated to resist rot and insects | Periodic cleaning plus stain or sealer every few years | Lower upfront budgets, owners who do not mind refinishing |
| Composite | Boards made from wood fiber and plastic | Periodic cleaning, no staining or sealing | Owners who want less maintenance and will pay more upfront |
Should an old deck be repaired or replaced?
The structure under the boards decides it. We inspect the deck and recommend repairs, upgrades or a full replacement based on what we find.
Worn boards and loose railings on a sound frame are repair work. Rot in the posts, joists or the board that fastens the deck to the house points to a rebuild, because new decking on a failing frame does not last.
What we check on an existing deck
- The connection to the house and the flashing above it
- Posts and footings, for rot, settling or movement
- Joists and beams under the decking
- Deck boards, for soft spots, splits and loose fasteners
- Railings and stairs, for wobble and secure attachment
Decks and porches from our crews
Finished decks, plus porch and addition jobs that rely on the same framing and finish work.
“Chris and his team did an outstanding job reconstructing our front porch. They worked tirelessly through all of the elements throughout the winter & spring and got the job done much faster than expected! Thank you!”
How a deck project runs
Four steps, from the first look at the yard to the final walk across the boards.
Look at the yard
We measure, check the grade and the door you will use, and talk through size, stairs and add-ons.
Written estimate
You get the scope with material options and pricing side by side, before anything is scheduled.
Permit and build
We file for the permit, set the footings, frame, deck and rail it, with inspections along the way.
Final walkthrough
We walk the finished deck with you before the job is closed out.
What drives the cost of a new deck?
Your written estimate prices the deck you described for your yard. These are the factors that move that number up or down.
Spread out the cost
Financing is available for deck projects, including ones with a pergola or an outdoor kitchen.
Financing- Size and shapeSquare footage, multiple levels and angled corners add framing and material.
- Height off the groundA deck one step up is a different build from one off a second-floor door, with longer posts and more stairs.
- Decking and railing materialComposite and specialty railings cost more upfront than pressure-treated wood.
- Add-onsPergolas, built-in seating, lighting and outdoor kitchens are priced as separate lines.
- Removal of an old deckTear-out and disposal, plus any repair to the house wall behind it.
What decking materials can I choose from?
Pressure-treated lumber and composite decking are the most common choices, and other materials can be priced as options. Your estimate lists the options side by side so you can compare cost and upkeep.
Do you pull the permit for a deck?
Yes. We file the building permit with your town and schedule the inspections the deck needs.
Can you fix my existing deck instead of building a new one?
Yes, when the frame is sound. We inspect the frame, footings, boards and railings, then recommend repairs, upgrades or replacement depending on the condition of the structure.
Can you add a pergola, built-in seating or an outdoor kitchen?
Yes. Pergolas, gazebos, built-in benches, storage and outdoor kitchens can all be designed into the deck from the start or added to an existing one.
Do you stain and seal wood decks?
Yes. Staining and sealing are part of our deck work, and they are worth planning for every few years on a pressure-treated deck.
Can you build a covered porch instead of an open deck?
Yes. Our crews build and reconstruct covered porches, with a roof tied into the house. A sunroom is the next step if you want the space usable in winter.
More outdoor and specialty work
Deck builders for MetroWest and Worcester County towns
We build decks across the region from Northborough. See the service area for the towns we cover.
Our Northborough team works across MetroWest and Worcester County. Towns shown on this site are examples, not a complete boundary for project inquiries. Share your location and the work you are considering so we can confirm coverage for your project.
Picture the first cookout on it
Let us know roughly how big you want the deck, which door it comes off and whether the old one is coming down. We visit, measure the yard and send back a written estimate with material options priced side by side.