Frequently Asked Questions

Almost always, yes. Every town and incorporated village on Long Island requires a building permit for a new deck, and many require one for structural repairs or expansions. Level Line prepares the drawings for the application, unless an architect is assigned to the job. You submit the application with what Level Line provides, Level Line arranges and attends the inspections, and Mark is available by phone throughout. It goes to the authority for your address, whether that's the Town of Hempstead, the Town of Islip, or a village with its own building department like Garden City or Rockville Centre. How long approval takes varies by town and by inspector.

It depends on three things: size, materials, and how high the deck sits above the ground. A simple ground-level pressure-treated deck is the cheapest way in, but cheap is only cheap in the short term. It is the right call for a temporary solution, not a forever one. What you spend up front buys quality that lasts: a multi-level composite deck with proper railings, lighting and built-in features costs more on day one and gives it back in decades of service, near-zero maintenance and real resale value when you sell the house. Site conditions like grade, drainage and stair runs also move the number. We give a clear, itemized estimate for free, and we will show you exactly what each step up in materials buys you. No guesswork and no pressure.

Long Island's salt air, humid summers, freeze-thaw winters and strong sun are hard on natural wood. Composite decking (Trex and similar brands) has become the most popular choice here because it resists rot, warping and fading and never needs staining or sealing. Natural wood and tropical hardwoods like Ipe are still beautiful for the right project, but they need regular maintenance. We'll walk you through the trade-offs for your home and budget.

Yes. A large share of our work is on the South Shore canals in Massapequa, Bellmore, Seaford and Freeport, plus bay- and harbor-front properties across both counties. Waterfront builds call for salt-rated hardware and fasteners, careful attention to the flood elevation, and a layout that respects the bulkhead line while keeping your water view open. It takes experience to do right, and it is a big part of what we do.

Once permits are approved, most decks are built in one to three weeks depending on size and complexity. The permit approval itself varies by town (some are quick, others take several weeks), which is why we start that paperwork early. We give you a realistic timeline for your specific town before any work begins.

Level Line serves all of Nassau and Suffolk County, roughly 245 Long Island communities. We're based in Plainview, and after nearly 30 years and 4,000+ completed projects we've built in almost every town on the Island. You can find your town on our Locations page.

Yes. Level Line is a licensed and insured Long Island home improvement contractor. We carry the required county home improvement licensing and full insurance, and every job is built to code with proper permits and inspections.

Yes. We offer flexible financing through Service Finance Company, with short- and long-term plans so you can spread the cost of your project over time. You can review the options on our Financing page or ask us about them during your free estimate.

Yes. Our workmanship is warrantied, and the premium materials we install, like Trex composite decking, carry their own long manufacturer warranties, often 25 years or more on the boards. We spell out exactly what is covered in your written proposal.

We build year-round on Long Island. Spring and early summer are the busiest, so booking then means planning ahead. Fall and winter are often the fastest way onto the schedule, and having your deck finished before spring means it is ready the moment the weather turns.