We build custom decks across central and southern New Hampshire — pressure-treated pine, Trex, Fiberon, and TimberTech. We help you pick the right material for your budget and NH's climate, then handle design, permits, and the build start to finish.A&E Home Improvement builds custom decks on homes throughout central and southern New Hampshire. We install pressure-treated pine, Trex, Fiberon, and TimberTech composite decking — and we help you figure out which material makes sense for your home, your budget, and NH's climate. We handle the design, pull the permits, and do the build start to finish.
We meet at your home to talk through the deck layout, size, material options, railing style, and any features like stairs, built-in seating, or lighting rough-in. You get a written estimate with material and labor broken out.
In most NH municipalities, decks over 200 square feet or attached to the home require a building permit. We handle the application and pull the permit before any work starts — no exceptions.
NH's 48-inch frost line means footings have to go deep. We dig and pour concrete footings or install helical piers to the required depth, then install post hardware and let the concrete cure before framing.
Pressure-treated lumber frame, properly sized for the deck load and span. Ledger board attached to the house with structural screws and flashed to prevent moisture intrusion behind the siding.
Decking boards installed to manufacturer specs — composite products require specific gapping and fastener patterns for warranty compliance. Railing posts, balusters, and top rail installed to NH code.
We schedule the building inspection, walk the project with you, and make sure everything is to spec. Warranty documentation for composite products is handed over at completion.
Elevated composite deck with cable railing
Lakes Region, NH
Composite deck, finished
Central NH
Large composite deck with railing
Central NH
Deck with cable and glass railing
Lakes Region, NH
Deck stairs with metal railing
Central NH
Cable-railing deck and stairs
Southern NH
Cost comes down to the material and the size and complexity of the deck. Pressure-treated pine is the budget option; composite (Trex, Fiberon, or TimberTech) costs more up front but needs far less maintenance over its life. What affects the price: railing type (cable rail and glass rail add significantly over wood rail), number of stair flights, whether the deck is ground-level or elevated, and municipal permit fees. A&E pulls all permits, and that cost is included in our estimate. We'll give you a free written estimate after seeing the site.
Yes, in most NH municipalities you need a permit for a deck that is attached to the house or over 200 square feet — though the exact threshold varies by town. A&E handles all permitting as part of every deck project. We don't build without permits. Unpermitted decks can create problems when you sell the house and may not be covered if something goes wrong with your homeowner's insurance. The permit process also protects you — the building inspector verifies that the footings, framing, and railing are built to code.
For most NH homeowners, composite decking is the better long-term choice. NH's freeze-thaw cycles are hard on wood — pressure-treated pine expands and contracts with moisture and temperature changes, which can lead to warping and checking over time. It also needs annual cleaning and resealing to hold up. Composite decking (Trex, Fiberon, TimberTech) doesn't rot, splinter, or warp, and requires almost no maintenance beyond occasional washing. The tradeoff is higher upfront cost. Pressure-treated pine is still a solid, affordable choice — we build plenty of them. If you're near a lake or have heavy snow loads, composite holds up better over a 20-year horizon.
A straightforward deck — one level, no stairs, standard railing — typically takes 3–7 days of build time once the permit is in hand. Permit turnaround varies by municipality but is usually 5–15 business days. More complex projects with multiple levels, stairs, custom railings, or integrated features take longer. We give you a timeline with the estimate and keep you updated if anything changes during the build.
We can frame and install composite decking in winter — composite doesn't have the same cold-temperature installation restrictions as some materials. Concrete footings require temperatures above freezing and proper curing time, which we manage with thermal blankets and scheduling around hard freezes. We build year-round in NH; winter scheduling often means shorter lead times. If you want your deck ready for Memorial Day, starting in February or March is the right call.
It depends on the material. Pressure-treated pine needs annual attention — cleaning and resealing or staining every 1–2 years to prevent the checking, graying, and warping that NH's freeze-thaw cycles cause. Composite decking (Trex, Fiberon, TimberTech) needs almost nothing: an occasional wash with soap and water to remove pollen and dirt — no sanding, sealing, or staining. That low maintenance is the main reason most of our customers choose composite despite the higher upfront cost; over a 20-year life it usually comes out ahead.
We install pressure-treated and composite wood railing, aluminum railing, cable rail, and glass-panel rail. Wood and composite are the most economical and match the deck. Aluminum is low-maintenance and slim. Cable and glass preserve views — popular for lake-view and elevated decks — but cost noticeably more. All railing we build meets NH code: 36-inch minimum height for residential decks and baluster spacing that won't pass a 4-inch sphere. We'll show you the options and pricing at the design consultation.
Yes. Sloped and uneven sites are common in NH, and they're handled with proper footing depth and post heights — elevated decks, multi-level decks, and stairs that step down the grade. The key is getting the footings below the 48-inch frost line and sized for the load, which we do on every build. A sloped lot can add cost (taller posts, more framing, longer stair runs), but it's no obstacle. We'll assess the grade at the site visit and design the deck around it.
Get your free estimate today — no obligation, no pressure. Most estimates are scheduled within the week.
