★★★★★
“Overall the work went very well. I appreciated how Mikhail was easy to work with and very pragmatic and technical. …”
We build decks in Saratoga the same way we build them everywhere we work, from the Peninsula to the South Bay and Santa Cruz: framing first, boards last. What changes from town to town is the site — lot slope, access, and what the city wants to see before work starts.
Every project starts with a site visit and a written scope: decking system, framing, stairs, railings, delivery, disposal, assumptions and exclusions. You compare the complete project, not an opening number that grows later.
- Deck specialistDecks, stairs, railings, pergolas
- Same crewFrom start to finish
- Written fixed priceAgreed before work starts
- Reviews you can checkEach one on the site it was left on
Our work in Saratoga
Curved composite deck (Eva-Last) with built-in benches. See the whole project
What homeowners here said
“Our second story deck started to deform just two weeks before we were about to have a baby! Mikhail came out basically the same day and said they could fit us in within the week. … I really felt that MS pulled through for us in a tight spot.”
Ashley J. · Saratoga · Yelp, Mar 2025
“MS Construction did a great job for our family. There are 2 major projects: rebuilding the deck, and building a deck-like cover over a big hole in the paver above the septic tank. For rebuilding the deck, Mike talked to us with tons of details — unlike other deck builders who recommend the expensive materials, Mike would analyze the correct materials to use. They sanded the deck very carefully, painted it, and it's the exact color we want. For the cover, they built it exactly the size of the hole, at the same level of the pavers, and added 2 doors so we can access the septic tank system. In future if we need deck work we'll hire them again.”
Qingqing D. · Saratoga · Yelp, May 2024
“What can I say about this team? They are simply amazing—professional, fast, and reliable. They didn't just repair my 1970s deck; they went above and beyond by fixing the broken redwood lattice, making both me and my neighbors happy! I'm thrilled to have worked with MS Construction and Services. A huge shout-out to the crew and Mike!”
Maksym N. · Saratoga · Google, Sep 2024
Building here
Deck permits here are issued by City of Saratoga. Under the state code a deck needs one unless it meets four conditions, explained in do you need a permit for a deck.
On a hillside lot the foundation is decided for that lot, sometimes with a geotechnical report and an engineer's design; we build to it rather than to a standard footing.
Our projects in Saratoga
What neighbors in Monte Sereno and Los Gatos say
★★★★★
“Mike and his team replaced our old beat up deck with a new redwood deck and did an amazing job. Our favorite carpenter in the crew was extremely skilled and showed a lot of care in his craft and approach. They also replaced our railings with cable, and treated and stained the wood. Mike managed the work well; He was very communicative and flexible throughout the project, making sure that our creative direction was fulfilled. MS Construction does quality work at a very fair price. We are very happy with and enjoying our new beautiful deck!”
★★★★★
“So glad I found MS Construction & Services. We've really needed to replace our deck as the wood was deteriorating and become unstable. Mike responded to my inquiry, came out to take measurements, provided quotes and payment options, and the date when they can start. His team worked diligently and was very tidy. Our new deck is now stable and looks so nice!”
Questions Saratoga homeowners ask us
Most of what Saratoga asks us to price is a large raised deck on a sloping lot: an elevated deck to replace, a hillside deck to rebuild, a surface to redo quickly, or a second-story deck that has started to feel soft and shaky — often with railings to update at the same time.
My deck feels soft and shaky. Should it be repaired or replaced?
It depends on what is under the boards, so we look before we price. A full replacement is the honest answer when the old frame is not pressure-treated, has rot or termite damage, has no metal connectors, was not built to code, is short of footings, or has beams and joists that are too small. When a pressure-treated frame is sound, we keep it, replace the weak members and lay new boards — that is deck remodeling. A nearly new deck needs only a repair: a few boards, a warped section, or a wash, sand and stain. A deck that already moves underfoot is not one to leave for later: have the frame looked at first. The calculator shows the range for a replacement and for remodeling.
Do you work on second-story and elevated decks?
Yes, and in Saratoga that is most of what we are asked to price. One of the reviews above is from a family whose second-story deck started to deform two weeks before their baby was due; Mikhail came out basically the same day and said we could fit the job in within the week. On a raised deck we look at the posts, beams and the attachment to the house, not only the boards.
Our lot slopes. How are the footings decided?
Lot by lot. On a hillside the foundation is decided for the specific site — the slope, the soil, and what sits above and below the deck — and sometimes that takes a geotechnical report and an engineer’s design. When a project needs one, we build to it rather than to a standard footing. We do not guess what is under a house from the street it is on.
Some board ends have rotted on our redwood deck. Does every board need replacing?
Not necessarily. On our redwood deck in Los Altos one half was past saving and the other only looked that way. We replaced 811 sq ft with hand-selected redwood on the original frame, reinforced where it needed it, washed and sanded the other 460 sq ft, and stained the whole deck one tone with Armstrong Clark semi-solid. The seam between old and new boards is hard to find. The calculator prices new boards on an existing frame.
Do you come out to look at the deck before quoting?
Yes. The visit is free: we measure, look at the frame and the site, and send a written proposal — decking system, framing, stairs, railings, delivery, disposal, assumptions and exclusions. If you want a number before anyone comes out, the calculator gives a range from our published rates.
Is there a minimum project size?
For a new deck or a full replacement on a low deck: 150 sq ft in redwood, composite or hardwood, 200 sq ft in pressure-treated wood. When the deck is 5 ft or more above the ground or hard to reach, 200 and 250 sq ft. On a hillside or multi-level deck, 300 sq ft. Refinishing starts at 300 sq ft with the stairs included, and stairs on their own start at five steps.
Do you fix tiled balconies?
No. A tiled balcony over plywood and leaks under the tile are waterproofing work. We build and rebuild decks, stairs, railings and pergolas.