Q: What is the best grade of lumber for a deck?

• <div><p>When building a deck, #2 grade lumber is a go-to for several reasons. It&rsquo;s strong, budget-friendly, and works well for most framing and decking needs. But upgrading to #1 or Appearance Grade can give your deck that extra visual edge if you're after a cleaner, more polished look for high-visibility spots.</p></div>

Q: How high should a floating deck be off the ground?

• <div><p>Homeowners should build their floating decks at least 18 inches off the ground. Having it at this height will allow for better airflow underneath and help prevent moisture-related problems like warping or rot. That being said, local guidelines for deck heights may vary depending on where you live. </p></div>

Q: How do I divert water from under my deck?

• <div><p>To maximize the utility of space under a deck, it&rsquo;s important to keep this area dry and clean. One way to prevent the area from becoming too wet is to install an under-deck draining system. This affordable home upgrade channels water away from the deck and provides usable space for storage or a functional area below a second-story deck. Not only will this be a useful maintenance upgrade, it can boost your home&rsquo;s property value.</p></div>

Q: Do I need a permit to build a floating deck?

• <div><p>In many areas, a floating deck that isn&rsquo;t connected to your home and stays under 200 square feet and below 30 inches in height may not need a permit. These freestanding structures are often considered low-risk, which can simplify the building process. However, building codes vary greatly based on location. Before investing in any home improvement project, check with your local permitting office for deck-building guidelines. </p></div>

Q: How much weight can a wooden deck hold?

• <div><p>Typically, most residential wooden decks are designed to support approximately 40 pounds per square foot, including the deck&rsquo;s weight and any items placed on it. While this is fine for typical use, it is usually not enough to hold the weight of a hot tub filled with water and people. To safely support a hot tub, your wood deck will likely require reinforcement. Therefore, it&rsquo;s best to have a contractor or a structural engineer assess it before hot tub installation.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Deck Maintenance pros in Prescott, MI

*The Angi rating for Deck Maintenance companies in Prescott, MI is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Deck Maintenance needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Deck Maintenance companies in Prescott, MI is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Deck Maintenance needs.

Last update on June 25, 2026

Reviewed in June 2026
An excellent job! Cleaned and stained two large wooden decks. It was a large project and they were very thorough and efficient. The quality of work was exceptional. We are very pleased and look forward to working with RFL Painting again!
RFL Painting
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Reviewed in September 2025
we had the whole exterior stained and trim painted. Talon and crew were absolutely fantastic from start to finish. His communication and timeliness was fantastic and went above and beyond to make sure every detail was covered and our expectations were met. we couldn't be happier with the end...
TAGM Painting
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Reviewed in April 2025
Excellent service ,very prompt,professional,clean and affordable.2 tree's were leaning next to my house and they dropped them perfectly,when they left everything was clean.I highly recommend Prime lawn and tree service.
Prime Tree and Lawn Services, LLC
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Reviewed in April 2025
Oasis outdoor got the job done! It was no easy task to dig up a few giant oak stumps. Dan the owner and crew had the right equipment for the job. Even went above and beyond to grade the area when he was complete. Thanks again and would recommend
Grand Oasis Outdoor
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Reviewed in July 2024
From start to finish, NV Outdoors was fantastic! We needed our front porch steps replaced, a couple of support posts replaced, and new footings. They worked quickly to help us! Highly professional and easy to work with. I appreciated how upfront they were with the pricing (which was very fair!),...
NV Outdoors, LLC
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Reviewed in August 2023
All went well. They removed the old roof, cleaned up and did a great job with the new roof. I would recommend this company.
Daylight Roofing and Solar
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Reviewed in September 2022
The guys arrived on time and worked until the job was done. They did have a problem with their stump grinder and they will have to come back when the machine is fixed to grind 2 1/2 stumps stumps. They removed all the tree branches and wood, then raked the yard. I would hire them again if I...
Nick's Tree Service
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Reviewed in June 2022
Very happy with response from all areas of the company. We worked with Peter on June 5 to get an estimate, ordered June 6, got an installation date June 7, awning was installed June 18! Just 13 days start to finish! That was amazing to us. The awning is beautiful to look at and so far...
Marygrove Awning Co.
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Reviewed in March 2022
Great job. Contacted me right away. Fair pricing. Worked quickly to remove dangerous dead branches. Had big enough crew and did not damage the yard or neighborâ s property. Disposed of all the tree debris. Thank for Mike and crew!
Monster Tree Service of Ann Arbor
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Reviewed in August 2021
Great job! I had 3 trees removed and 3 trimmed. Lanning did a great job trimming and removing the trees especially since the trees were over the house and power lines. Everything was cleaned up and hauled away. Very satisfied with the entire job.
Lanning Tree Experts
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Find Deck maintenance specialists in Prescott

West Branch Dirt Works

4.7(

)

Serving Prescott, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"They did a thorough job of removing 60+ years of accumulated stuff on my dad's rural property, plus replacing an old culvert over a stream. We had a few unanticipated extras for them to do, but the final bill came in exactly as quoted. Robert is very detail oriented, polite, and responsible. I highly recommend West Branch Dirt Works."

Response time12 hrs

Recommended by95%of homeowners

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Liquid Roofing and Construction

4.5(

)

Serving Prescott, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2004

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"The Liquid Construction Team was awesome. They are efficient, thorough, and professional. Their prices are very reasonable and competitive. Their commitment to customer satisfaction is exceedingly obvious."

+51

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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ThunderBay Pressure Washing & More

4.3(

)

Serving Prescott, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I wanted to have my white composite decking cleaned which had not been done in 2 1/2 years. I also had them do the siding on my home. It turned out GREAT !!! I will definitely call again !!!"

+15

Response time8 hrs

12 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by81%of homeowners

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Property Services of Michigan

5.0(

)

Serving Prescott, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2007

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"He gave me a quote and did exactly what he said he was going to do. He was clear about to procedure and what he needed to do. It was nice and clean after the service, I didn't have to do any touch ups or clean ups. I was so happy with the results, I hired him to complete resurface my driveway."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Preferred Power Wash, LLC

3.8(

)

Serving Prescott, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 1993

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"They were very responsive and everyone from the office to the field was nice and competent and has a good idea of how customer service should be. They did a great job and got our deck looking nice and new. They seemed pretty thorough and didn’t cut corners. Definitely recommend based on our experience."

Response time1 day

Response rate93%

Recommended by84%of homeowners

Serving Prescott, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Josh came out and was very thorough with the job, he was very respectful and explained the process before he started. My house looks brand new and beautiful."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Prescott, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"They knew what they were doing. Finished the job when they estimated also did a couple extra small things for me. I would hire again"

Response time9 hrs

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Prescott, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Bryan, the owner, gave a good price, communicated well, set proper expectations, showed up on time, and I happily paid afterword thereâ s nothing more to ask."

Response time20 mins

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Herbert Painting, LLC

5.0(

)

Serving Prescott, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 1977

Free estimates

"He did a great job! He was timely and really made every effort to ensure our satisfaction."

Response time40 mins

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Request Quote

RIA Home Solutions LLC

5.0(

)

Serving Prescott, MI and surrounding areas

Free estimates

Warranties offered

Credit card accepted

"he was veery professional,friendly and thorough"

13 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Showing 1-10 of 23

Deck Maintenance questions, answered by experts

When building a deck, #2 grade lumber is a go-to for several reasons. It’s strong, budget-friendly, and works well for most framing and decking needs. But upgrading to #1 or Appearance Grade can give your deck that extra visual edge if you're after a cleaner, more polished look for high-visibility spots.

Homeowners should build their floating decks at least 18 inches off the ground. Having it at this height will allow for better airflow underneath and help prevent moisture-related problems like warping or rot. That being said, local guidelines for deck heights may vary depending on where you live.

To maximize the utility of space under a deck, it’s important to keep this area dry and clean. One way to prevent the area from becoming too wet is to install an under-deck draining system. This affordable home upgrade channels water away from the deck and provides usable space for storage or a functional area below a second-story deck. Not only will this be a useful maintenance upgrade, it can boost your home’s property value.

In many areas, a floating deck that isn’t connected to your home and stays under 200 square feet and below 30 inches in height may not need a permit. These freestanding structures are often considered low-risk, which can simplify the building process. However, building codes vary greatly based on location. Before investing in any home improvement project, check with your local permitting office for deck-building guidelines.

Typically, most residential wooden decks are designed to support approximately 40 pounds per square foot, including the deck’s weight and any items placed on it. While this is fine for typical use, it is usually not enough to hold the weight of a hot tub filled with water and people. To safely support a hot tub, your wood deck will likely require reinforcement. Therefore, it’s best to have a contractor or a structural engineer assess it before hot tub installation.

The Prescott, MI homeowners’ guide to deck maintenance services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Mitchell Grant
•
May 2, 2026May 2, 2026
How Much Does a Pressure-Treated Wood Deck Cost? [2026 Data]
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Top Deck Maintenance Tips for Every Decking Material
Deck maintenance is vital to protecting a wooden deck. Cleaning, staining and sealing a deck after pressure washing will add years to its lifespan. Protect a deck by following these deck maintenance tips for cedar and other types of wood materials.
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7 Best Maintenance-Free Decking Materials
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