Custom Deck Builder in Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky

Schmidt Services has been designing and building custom decks across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky since 2006. Whether you need a ground-level retreat, an elevated deck on a hillside lot, a deck addition, or a full replacement, we bring 20 years of hands-on experience to every project. We use #1 grade materials and premium composite products so your new deck holds up through every Ohio Valley season, and we actually return your calls.

Deck Construction in Northern Kentucky

Built for Your Yard, Your Home, and How You Live

No two properties are the same, and our residential deck design and build process starts by asking the right questions. How do you plan to use the space? Do you entertain large groups, or do you want a quiet spot for morning coffee? Is your yard flat, sloped, or a steep Northern Kentucky hillside that requires engineered footers? We work through those answers with you before a single board is cut. The result is a deck sized and configured for your specific yard topography, your home's architecture, and your day-to-day lifestyle, not a one-size-fits-all plan pulled from a catalog.
Premium Materials for High-Quality Deck Installation

The Materials Behind a Deck That Lasts

A high-quality deck installation starts with what goes underneath. We frame with ProWood KDAT (Kiln Dried After Treatment) lumber, which resists the shrinking and warping that standard treated lumber is prone to in the Ohio Valley's humidity. KDAT is also compatible with aluminum and carbon steel fasteners, giving the structure long-term dimensional stability. For decking surfaces, our top recommendation is the Deckorators Voyage Series, a mineral-based composite that is 35% lighter than traditional composite, offers 34% greater surface traction, and is warranted for ground and water contact. For projects where a strong value option makes more sense, we also work with Fiberon Good Life decking, which features a three-sided cap layer that resists staining and fading while replicating a natural wood-grain look. Every structural component starts with #1 grade materials, because the foundation of a great deck is never a place to cut corners.

Your Custom Outdoor Deck Contractor

Why Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Homeowners Choose Schmidt Services

Justin Schmidt started this company in 2006 while working at the Kenton County jail, and has served as a police officer since 2009. That background in public service shapes how we operate: with accountability, clear communication, and a commitment to doing the job right the first time. We are not the lowest-bid option, and we do not want to be. Our clients are homeowners who want a durable, well-designed outdoor space and a contractor they can actually trust to follow through. Projects with Schmidt Services start at $4,000, scaling to larger engineered builds for hillside lots and full backyard transformations across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Deck Project Scopes We Handle

Elevated Decks, Ground-Level Builds, Additions, and Full Replacements

Our deck construction work in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati covers the full range of residential project types. We build elevated decks for homes with walk-out basements or hillside foundations, ground-level decks that connect seamlessly to the backyard, additions that expand an existing deck footprint, and complete replacements for structures that have reached the end of their useful life. We also integrate built-in features such as seat walls, storage benches, fire pits, pergolas with retractable shade screens that block 95% of UV rays, and deck lighting including post cap, step, and under-deck options. Each project is treated as a functional extension of your home, not just an outdoor platform.

Deck Building Questions Answered

Common Questions About Our Deck Services

  • What types of deck projects does Schmidt Services handle in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky?

    Schmidt Services builds elevated decks, ground-level decks, deck additions, and full deck replacements for residential properties across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The company also handles hillside builds that require engineered footers for structural integrity on steep lots. Built-in features such as seat walls, storage benches, fire pits, and pergolas can be incorporated into any deck project as well.

  • What is KDAT lumber and why is it used for deck framing?

    KDAT stands for Kiln Dried After Treatment. Standard pressure-treated lumber is often wet when it leaves the treatment facility, which can lead to shrinking, warping, and twisting as it dries on your deck frame. KDAT lumber is kiln-dried after the treatment process, removing that excess moisture before installation. This produces better dimensional stability over time and allows the wood to be stained immediately after installation. KDAT is also compatible with aluminum and carbon steel fasteners, which matters for long-term structural performance in the Ohio Valley's climate.

  • What is the difference between Deckorators Voyage and Fiberon Good Life composite decking?

    Deckorators Voyage is Schmidt Services' top-tier composite recommendation. It is a mineral-based composite that is 35% lighter than traditional composite, provides 34% greater surface traction, and is warranted for ground and water contact, making it a strong choice for pool decks or decks close to grade. Fiberon Good Life is the value-tier option, featuring a three-sided cap layer that resists staining and fading while offering a realistic multi-tonal wood grain appearance. Both products eliminate the splintering and decay associated with organic timber decking.

  • How much does a custom deck project with Schmidt Services typically cost?

    Deck projects with Schmidt Services start at $4,000 and scale upward depending on size, scope, materials selected, and site conditions. Hillside or elevated builds that require engineered footers will generally fall at a higher price point than ground-level projects. Specific per-square-foot pricing is not published publicly, as each project is scoped individually based on yard topography, material selections, and any built-in features like lighting, seat walls, or pergolas.

  • Does Schmidt Services build decks on steep or hillside lots?

    Yes. Hillside deck construction is a documented specialty for Schmidt Services, including projects in Northern Kentucky communities where sloped lots are common. Builds on steep grades require engineering-led footer systems, and Schmidt Services incorporates that structural planning into the design process. These projects are treated as precision builds rather than standard installs, and the consultative approach the company uses ensures the scope is properly planned before work begins.

  • Can deck lighting and built-in features be added during the construction process?

    Yes. Schmidt Services integrates a range of built-in features directly into deck builds. Lighting options include post cap lights, step lights, and under-deck lighting systems. Structural add-ons include built-in seat walls, storage benches, and fire pits. Pergola installations with retractable shade screens that block 95% of UV rays are also available as part of a broader outdoor living build. Planning these features during the initial design phase typically produces a cleaner, more cohesive finished result than retrofitting them later.

  • What sets Schmidt Services apart from other deck contractors in the Cincinnati area?

    Schmidt Services was founded in 2006 by Justin Schmidt, who has also served as a police officer since 2009. That public service background informs a business model built around accountability and honest communication, including a direct commitment to returning client calls. The company uses #1 grade structural materials and premium composite products rather than competing on lowest-bid pricing. The approach is consultative rather than sales-driven, focusing on matching the project scope to each homeowner's specific property, budget, and lifestyle.
What Homeowners Are Saying

Real Feedback from Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Clients

Choosing the right contractor starts with hearing from people who have already worked with the team. Read what customers have to say about Schmidt Services LLC, then, after your project is complete, we'd love for you to share your experience. Your review helps future homeowners make informed decisions and lets us know how we're doing.