Deck Builders Near Me in Columbus, OH? Build Your Own Deck With an A-DIY Kit

You have both options. Central Ohio has plenty of deck contractors for custom, multi-level or attached projects, so get two or three written quotes, ask for proof of insurance and confirm who will pull the permit with Columbus Building and Zoning Services. If you would rather build it yourself, A-DIY delivers professionally engineered wood and composite deck kits to Columbus homes, and you or a local handyman can assemble one with just a drill.

Contractor pricing in Columbus depends on deck size, materials, site prep, stairs and railings, so compare itemized written quotes. A-DIY kits run from $3,699 for a 6x12 pressure-treated deck to $12,799 for a 16x28 composite deck, with framing, decking, Tuff Block footings and hardware included. Homeowners typically spend 30–50% less than hiring a contractor, because the engineering and materials arrive together and the labor is yours.

With A-DIY, a 12x12 deck kit is $4,899 in pressure-treated wood or $5,700 in composite. A 12x16 composite kit is $6,600; the closest wood size is 12x18 at $5,969. A 16x20 kit is $7,600 in wood or $10,199 in composite. Framing, decking, footings and hardware are included.

Inside Columbus city limits, deck permits come from the City of Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services (BZS). Attached decks, decks more than 30 inches above grade, decks over 200 sq ft and decks that serve the required exit door need building approval, and the city requires a separate zoning approval for decks larger than 169 sq ft regardless of height. Homes in German Village, Victorian Village, Italian Village and other Columbus historic or architectural review districts also need a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior work. Suburbs such as Dublin and Westerville, and unincorporated Franklin County, use their own departments.

Under Residential Code of Ohio section 102.10, a deck is exempt from building approval only if it is 200 sq ft or smaller, no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to the house and not serving the required exit door. In Columbus, a deck over 169 sq ft still needs zoning approval. A 12x12 A-DIY kit (144 sq ft) falls under both thresholds, while a 12x16 composite kit (192 sq ft) meets the building exemption but still needs zoning review. Confirm with BZS before you order.

Many customers use their A-DIY decks for hot tubs and saunas. Applicable configurations are engineered to hold up to 15,000 lbs when properly assembled and supported, but tub weight, placement and wiring vary, so talk to a deck specialist before you order and check local electrical and permit rules.

Columbus BZS lists a 32-inch frost depth for footings, and Franklin County's deck guide calls for 38-inch post holes on permitted decks in the areas it serves. A floating (freestanding) ground-level deck, like an A-DIY kit that sits 15–17 inches off the ground on included Tuff Block footings, is not tied to the house, so seasonal ground movement does not pull on your foundation. If your deck needs a permit, ask the department whether it will accept that footing system.

John Glenn Columbus International Airport averages about 28 inches of snow a year under NOAA's 1991–2020 normals, and Central Ohio winters swing above and below freezing, which drives freeze-thaw movement in the soil. Summers are humid, with frequent thunderstorms. Pick a well-drained spot, keep the gaps between boards clear, seal pressure-treated wood every one to two years or choose composite, and clear snow with a plastic shovel.

Most Columbus homeowners build from mid-spring through early fall, once the yard has dried out from spring rain. Ordering in late winter leaves time to check permits and zoning with BZS, and the A-DIY Reserve program can hold today's price with a $250 non-refundable deposit while you wait for a good weekend.

Pressure-treated wood kits come in 15 sizes: Standard 12x12, 12x18, 12x20, 12x24, 12x28, 16x16, 16x20, 16x24 and 16x28, plus Compact 6x12, 6x16, 6x20, 8x12, 8x16 and 8x20. Composite kits come in 9 sizes from 12x12 to 16x28 in Amazon Gray or Forest Wood. Custom sizes are available on request.

Yes. A-DIY ships by LTL freight throughout Columbus and Franklin County, including Dublin, Hilliard, Upper Arlington, Worthington, Gahanna, Reynoldsburg, Grove City and Pickerington. The carrier calls ahead to set up curbside delivery, typically within 10–14 business days.

You can pay in full, split the cost into 0% payments for up to 8 months, or build now and pay later through Affirm, Klarna or Shop Pay, subject to approval. If you are not ready to build yet, the A-DIY Reserve program holds today's price with a $250 non-refundable deposit.