Most "how long does a deck take" answers only count the days a crew is in your yard. Around Dallas, the calendar also includes HOA review, city plan review, a wait for footing concrete, inspections and the weather. This guide puts a sourced number on every stage where one is published, so you can plan the whole project and not just the build.
Every figure below has its source and date. National guides are labelled as national, and where no one publishes a number (like how long design and quoting takes), we say so and tell you what to ask.
How long does it take to build a deck? (the short answer)
Most decks take a few days to a few weeks of actual building, and the full project usually runs longer because approvals come first. HomeGuide (2026) puts a simple ground-level deck of 100 to 300 sq ft at 5 to 7 days minimum, and a new elevated deck over 300 sq ft at 2 to 4 weeks.
Here is how the main sources compare, by project type. All of these are national figures, not Dallas-specific ones.
| Project | Typical build time | Source (date) |
|---|---|---|
| Small deck, up to 200 sq ft (pro) | 1 to 3 days | Advantage Lumber (2023) |
| Small deck (experienced contractor) | 3 to 5 days | Remodeling.com (2019) |
| Medium deck, 200 to 500 sq ft, moderately complex (pro) | 3 to 7 days | Advantage Lumber (2023) |
| Simple ground-level deck, 100 to 300 sq ft | 5 to 7 days minimum | HomeGuide (2026) |
| Medium deck (experienced contractor) | 1 to 2 weeks | Remodeling.com (2019) |
| New boards and railing on a sound frame, 200 to 300 sq ft | 1 to 2 weeks | Block Renovation (2026) |
| Large deck, over 500 sq ft (pro) | 1 to 3 weeks | Advantage Lumber (2023) |
| Single-level full rebuild, 300 to 400 sq ft | 2 to 4 weeks | Block Renovation (2026) |
| New elevated deck over 300 sq ft | 2 to 4 weeks | HomeGuide (2026) |
| Large or complex deck (experienced contractor) | 2 to 4 weeks | Remodeling.com (2019) |
| Multi-level, curved or custom framing | 4 to 8 weeks | Block Renovation (2026) |
Why the sources don't agree
The ranges differ for three plain reasons:
- Ground level vs elevated. HomeGuide's 5 to 7 days is for a simple deck near the ground. Its 2 to 4 weeks is for an elevated deck over 300 sq ft.
- "Minimum" vs "typical." HomeGuide calls 5 to 7 days a minimum for a simple deck structure. Advantage Lumber's 1 to 3 days for a small deck says a pro "might" finish in that time.
- Scope vs size. Block Renovation's ranges are by type of job (new boards, full rebuilds, custom builds) rather than by size, and Block says its own projects run in the upper half of those ranges because many are large metro jobs.
For what each size costs, see what each deck size costs.
The full timeline from first call to finished deck
Think in stages: design and quote, HOA review, permit, materials and the 811 call, footings, framing and boards, inspections, then cleanup. Several of them happen before anyone digs.
The table below is an illustration built from the cited ranges. It is not an Archetex schedule or any builder's promise, and you should not add the rows into one fixed total, because some steps overlap and some can't.
| Stage | What happens | Typical time | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homeowner meets contractor, 3D design rendering, written estimate | Site visit, design, price | Varies; ask your builder for it in writing | No published figure |
| HOA review | Architectural or modifications committee approves the plan | Up to 30 days in one McKinney HOA (aims for 14 business days) | Stonebridge Ranch Community Association (2022 archived copy) |
| Permit drawings and city review | Prescreen and plan review | Dallas: 5-day prescreen plus up to 10 days initial review (guide written for new homes). Plano: 5 working days goal for residential comments | City of Dallas (2024); City of Plano (2024) |
| Call 811 before digging | Utility lines are located and marked | 2 business days' notice, not counting weekends and holidays | Texas 811 rule, as stated by the City of Cleburne |
| Materials delivered | Lumber and hardware arrive; some woods sit to acclimate | Cedar 1 to 2 weeks on site; ipe at least 7 days | Advantage Lumber |
| String lines, excavation and footings | Holes dug and concrete placed | Wait 1 day before building on the footing, or about 3 days with standard mix | Quikrete |
| Framing, boards, railing, stairs | The build itself | 5 to 7 days for a simple ground-level deck; 2 to 4 weeks for elevated over 300 sq ft | HomeGuide (2026) |
| Inspections | City inspector checks each stage | Dallas: book 24 hours ahead. Frisco: request by 7 a.m. the day of the inspection | City of Dallas (2024); City of Frisco (2026) |
The order matters. HOA approval and the city permit are separate, and it isn't safe to run them side by side unless your HOA allows it, because a change the HOA asks for can mean new permit drawings.
Design and quoting time is the one stage no neutral source puts a number on. It depends on the builder and how many design changes you make. Ask for an expected start date and a construction duration in writing.
How long does a deck permit take in Dallas?
The City of Dallas's 2024 residential quick guide lists a 5-day prescreen and up to 10 days for initial plan review, and the city's permit "time clock" starts only once you pay the initial fees. That guide is written around new single-family homes and duplexes and doesn't name decks, so treat these as the city's listed residential times, not a promise for a deck.
- Step 1, prescreen: a 5-day turnaround (5 business days in the guide's flow chart).
- Step 2, plan review: "10 days for initial review" (10 business days in the flow chart). Reviewers check zoning, setbacks, lot coverage, easements, floodplain and building code. If they ask for corrections, the revised plans go through another review.
- Together: up to about 15 business days, roughly 3 working weeks, before any corrections. That is calculated from the City of Dallas 2024 residential guide, which is written for new homes.
The guide also lists a same-day "RSVP" review, billed at $200 an hour with a 2-hour minimum, but it is for new single-family and duplex homes. Don't plan on it for a deck.
For a wider view, NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth reported in January 2025, citing City of Dallas Planning and Development data, that residential permit wait times had dropped from 68 days to 8. That report covers residential permits in general, not decks.
HomeGuide's national guide (2026) simply says permit processing takes "a week or longer."
This post covers timing only. Whether your deck needs a permit at all, the fees and the drawings are covered in whether your deck needs a Dallas permit.
Permit times in Plano, Frisco and McKinney
Plano publishes a goal of 5 working days for residential plan review comments. Frisco and McKinney don't publish a residential review time that we could find, so ask the city when you apply.
Plano
The City of Plano's building permit guide (revised October 2024) sets a residential turnaround goal of 5 working days for plan review comments. That is half of Dallas's listed 10-day initial review, comparing the two cities' published goals, although they measure slightly different things (comments vs initial review).
Once issued, a Plano permit allows 180 days (6 months) to begin work, and work must continue once started. Plano's patio cover checklist says permits inactive for 180 days are deemed abandoned and can be renewed for another 180 days for a fee.
Frisco
Frisco requires a building permit for all accessory structures, including patio covers and arbors, before construction. Its FAQ gives no review time and says applications "are reviewed as quickly as possible."
McKinney
We could not find an official McKinney residential review time. Call or check with the city's building inspections office before you plan around one.
How long does HOA approval take for a deck?
It depends on your HOA's own documents. Texas law sets deadlines for appealing a denial, but FindLaw's copy of the statute shows no deadline for the HOA's first decision and no "deemed approved" rule.
A real example: Stonebridge Ranch in McKinney
Stonebridge Ranch Community Association's page (archived copy from December 2022; the live page is now members-only) says its governing documents give the Modifications Committee up to 30 days to review each application, and that its volunteers aim to return decisions within 14 business days. That is one HOA's rule from 2022, so read your own HOA's documents for yours.
If the HOA says no
Under Texas Property Code 209.00505, which applies to HOAs with more than 40 lots:
- You may request a hearing with the board within 30 days of the denial notice.
- The board must hold the hearing within 30 days of receiving your request, with at least 10 days' notice.
- Either side can postpone once, for up to 10 days.
FindLaw's copy is current as of January 1, 2026 and reflects SB 711, effective September 1, 2025, which moved the committee eligibility rules into a new Section 209.00506 and left these hearing rules in 209.00505. An appeal can add weeks to the calendar, which is one more reason to submit a complete application the first time.
HOA approval does not replace a city permit. You may need both, and they are reviewed by different people.
How long does concrete need to cure before building on deck footings?
Quikrete's deck footing guide says to let the concrete cure one day before building the deck or putting heavy weight on the footing, or about three days with standard concrete mix. Full strength takes much longer: Sika Canada's data sheet for Sakrete Fast Set gives about 28 days to fully cure.
| Product or guide | Set time | Wait before building or loading | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quikrete deck footing guide | Not stated | 1 day before building or putting heavy weight on the footing | Quikrete |
| Same guide, with standard concrete mix | Not stated | About 3 days | Quikrete |
| Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete Mix | Sets hard in about 20 to 40 minutes | Not stated on the product page | Quikrete |
| Sakrete Fast Set | Foot traffic in about 3 hours | 1,450 psi at 1 day, 2,755 psi at 7 days, 4,000 psi at 28 days; fully cured in about 28 days | Sika Canada data sheet |
Quikrete lists deck posts among the uses for its Fast-Setting mix, and the Sakrete sheet lists footings and deck posts.
Dallas heat and fresh concrete
Summer heat is a real factor here. The Sakrete Fast Set sheet says mix and surface temperatures should stay between 40°F and 86°F for 24 hours before and 48 hours after placing. DFW's normal highs are 95.6°F in July and 95.8°F in August, well above that upper limit.
The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, citing ACI 305R, says high air and concrete temperatures, low humidity, wind and sun make concrete set faster and lose moisture quickly. It advises avoiding the hottest part of the day and continuing to cure for at least 3 days.
Footing depth, Dallas clay and pier types are covered in how deep footings go in Dallas clay.
Inspections: how they fit the schedule
Inspections happen at set points during the build, and you book each one ahead: 24 hours ahead in Dallas, and by 7 a.m. on the day of the inspection in Frisco.
- Dallas: the 2024 guide lists "1 day for scheduling inspections" and says to schedule 24 hours in advance. Requests can be made through a 24/7 automated line at 214-670-5313. The approved plans and posted permit must be on site.
- Plano: the city gives you a list of required inspections with the permit, in the order they happen. Inspections are done at the permit holder's request, booked through E-Trakit, the SelecTXT text line or 972-941-7140.
- Frisco: online requests close at 7 a.m. on the day of the requested inspection, inspections are assigned at 7 a.m. that day, and field documents must be submitted before you can schedule.
A failed inspection costs time, because the work has to be fixed and the inspection booked again. In Frisco it also costs a $30 re-inspection fee for each failed residential inspection.
Dallas's guide also lists approved construction hours of Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Which inspections a Dallas deck needs, and why you shouldn't cover work before it passes, are in the permit guide linked above.
Material lead times and on-site prep
Special orders and acclimation can add days or weeks to a deck schedule. Remodeling.com (2019) lists the availability of materials and equipment as a timing factor and warns that lumber shortages can leave you without enough wood to finish on time.
- Redwood: Block Renovation (2026) says supply outside the West Coast is inconsistent and lead times can push a schedule by weeks.
- Western red cedar: Advantage Lumber's product page says to let the decking acclimate on site for 1 to 2 weeks before installation.
- Ipe: Advantage Lumber's install guide says to let it sit where it will be installed for at least 7 days first.
- Composite: we found no current published lead time from Trex, TimberTech or Fiberon. Ask your builder whether your color and line are in stock.
Call 811 before digging
Texas law requires you or your contractor to contact 811 two business days before digging, not counting weekends and holidays (as stated by the City of Cleburne).
Staining pressure-treated wood comes later
If your deck is standard (not kiln-dried) pressure-treated lumber, YellaWood says a project built with its micronized copper treated wood "could be ready to be finished within 30 days of completion," depending on weather, and suggests a water sprinkle test to check. Kiln-dried after treatment (KDAT) lumber needs no waiting. This wait happens after the build, so it doesn't hold up the crew, but it does delay the finished look.
What makes a deck take longer (size, height, design, demolition)
Height, levels, curves and tearing out an old deck add the most time. A simple ground-level deck runs about 5 to 7 days in HomeGuide's figures, while Block Renovation puts multi-level, curved or custom framing at 4 to 8 weeks (both national, 2026).
- Demolition: HomeGuide says to allow 1 to 2 more days to tear out an old deck.
- Height: a new elevated deck over 300 sq ft takes 2 to 4 weeks (HomeGuide). See elevated and second-story decks.
- Levels and curves: 4 to 8 weeks for multi-level, curved or custom framing (Block). See multi-level decks.
- Stairs and extras: Decks.com says a larger, multi-level deck with stairs, built-in seating and lighting may take a few weeks longer than a simple one (a DIY figure). Stair rules are in deck stair code in Texas.
Real project examples (national)
Block Renovation's 2026 guide gives three real projects: a New Jersey composite deck on pressure-treated framing finished in 2 weeks, a 536 sq ft elevated deck in Mercer Island, Washington (with a paver patio and under-deck waterproofing in the same job) that took 4 weeks, and a curved PVC deck in Dover, Massachusetts that took 5 weeks.
Block's FAQ sums it up: small refreshes take 1 to 2 weeks, while larger rebuilds or custom designs may run 4 to 6 weeks, "weather and permits willing."
Dallas weather delays: rain, heat and freezes by month
May is DFW's wettest month, July and August bring most of the 100-degree days, and January has the most freezing nights. These are National Weather Service figures for DFW Airport: 1991 to 2020 normals, except thunderstorm days, which NWS averages over a longer record.
| Month | Days with measurable rain | Days with thunderstorms | Days at 100°F or more | Days at 32°F or below |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.9 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 10.6 |
| February | 6.9 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| March | 7.8 | 4.1 | 0.0 | 1.9 |
| April | 6.9 | 5.8 | Under 0.1 | Under 0.1 |
| May | 9.1 | 7.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| June | 7.2 | 6.3 | 1.6 | 0.0 |
| July | 4.4 | 4.7 | 7.4 | 0.0 |
| August | 5.2 | 4.7 | 9.7 | 0.0 |
| September | 5.1 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 0.0 |
| October | 7.1 | 3.3 | 0.0 | 0.1 |
| November | 6.2 | 1.9 | 0.0 | 2.3 |
| December | 6.5 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 8.1 |
| Full year | 79.3 | 46.5 | 20.2 | 29.2 |
"Under 0.1" means NWS shows a value that rounds to 0.0 but isn't zero. The full table, including rainfall totals, is on the NWS Fort Worth/Dallas normals page.
What the numbers mean for scheduling:
- Spring (and especially May) is wet and stormy. May averages 4.78 inches of rain, 9.1 rain days, 3.5 days with half an inch or more, and 7.7 thunderstorm days. The NWS says thunderstorms and severe weather peak in spring.
- July has the fewest rain days (4.4) but heavy heat. July and August together average 17.1 days at 100°F or more out of 62 days, by our arithmetic from NWS normals. That matters most for concrete pours, as covered above.
- October is the second-wettest month, with 4.37 inches, 7.1 rain days and 2.8 days of half an inch or more. The NWS notes that spring and fall are typically the wettest periods of the year.
- Winter brings freezing nights: 8.1 in December, 10.6 in January and 6.2 in February on average. The Sakrete sheet's 40°F lower limit for fresh concrete is worth keeping in mind on cold mornings.
These are averages, not a forecast. Any month can bring a wet week, and a good builder will plan pours and board work around it.
DIY vs hiring a builder: how the timeline changes
A pro crew is usually faster. Remodeling.com (2019) says a DIY deck "could easily take twice as long," and Decks.com (Trex) says a simple single-level deck takes two DIYers 1 to 3 weeks.
| Deck | Pro | DIY | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small, up to 200 sq ft | 1 to 3 days | A weekend or two | Advantage Lumber (2023) |
| Large, over 500 sq ft | 1 to 3 weeks | Several weeks to a few months | Advantage Lumber (2023) |
| Simple single-level | Not given | 1 to 3 weeks for two people | Decks.com (undated) |
| Any size | Baseline | About twice as long | Remodeling.com (2019) |
Decks.com adds that larger multi-level decks with stairs, built-in seating and lighting take a few weeks longer than its 1 to 3 week DIY figure. A DIY build still goes through the same permit review, 811 call, footing wait and inspections, so the approvals don't get shorter when you do the work yourself.
How to keep your deck project on schedule (and what to ask your builder)
Get HOA approval and permit drawings moving early, ask for a written start date and duration, and book each inspection as soon as the work is ready.
- Start with the HOA. One McKinney HOA allows its committee up to 30 days per application. Submit a complete application so it isn't sent back.
- Pay the first permit fees promptly. In Dallas, the review clock starts only once the initial fees are paid.
- Know your city's review goal. Dallas's 2024 guide lists up to 10 days for initial review (written for new homes); Plano's goal is 5 working days for residential comments.
- Call 811 early. Two business days' notice before digging.
- Plan the footing wait. At least 1 day, or about 3 days with standard mix, before building on the footings.
- Book inspections ahead. 24 hours ahead in Dallas, by 7 a.m. the same day in Frisco.
- Leave time for wood to acclimate. Cedar 1 to 2 weeks, ipe at least 7 days.
The question to ask every builder
HomeGuide's list of questions for a deck contractor includes this one: "What is the expected start date, and how long will the construction process take?" Get both answers on the written quote, along with who handles the HOA submittal, the permit and inspection booking. More questions are in questions to ask a deck builder.
Archetex Outdoor Design Co. offers a free site visit and written price. If you would like someone to look at your yard and talk through the steps, see our Dallas deck builder page.
