Apartment & Commercial Deck and Stair Reconstruction

Multifamily decks, balconies, and stairways are often framed with wood that is repeatedly wetted and dried. Water collects at ledger connections, stringer bases, post bottoms, and where decking traps moisture against joists. Over time, fasteners corrode and framing decays, sometimes without obvious signs at the surface.

Warning signs include soft or spongy treads, movement in guardrails or handrails, rust staining, cracked or sagging stringers, separation at the building connection, and water staining on ceilings below balconies.

We inspect decks, stairs, landings, and breezeways and document conditions with photos, helping managers and boards understand which areas need immediate attention and which can be planned. Where conditions call for it, we recommend engineering review.

Clear documentation also helps with board approvals, budget planning, and communication with residents.

Reconstruction may include replacing decking and treads, sistering or replacing joists and stringers, new posts and footings, properly flashed ledger connections, landings, and code-compliant guardrails and handrails. Breezeway framing and ceilings damaged by water are repaired as part of the same scope when needed.

Material choices balance durability, maintenance, appearance, and budget. We discuss options and code requirements for guard height, opening sizes, and stair geometry.

Stair and deck work affects how residents enter and leave their homes. We plan phasing, alternate access where possible, safety barriers, and resident notices with the property manager. Work areas are secured at the end of each day.

To request a bid, send the property address, number of buildings or structures, photos of current conditions, and any engineering reports or plans.

Communities may discover deck and stair problems through resident complaints, insurance inspections, or a routine walkthrough that reveals a loose railing or soft tread. Once a concern is identified, managers need a contractor who can assess quickly, explain the findings in plain language, and provide a scope that boards and owners can act on.

Exterior Genie holds both an SC Residential Builder license, RBS-50893, and an SC Commercial General Contractor license, #122463, which allows us to work on a wide range of multifamily and commercial properties. We are Marine Corps veteran-owned and based at 225 Swartz Road in Lexington.

We understand that boards and owners need clear options. Proposals can be structured to show urgent life-safety repairs separately from planned replacements, which helps with budgeting and approval.

Reconstruction is an opportunity to correct the details that caused the original failure. That can include proper flashing at building connections, joist protection under decking, improved drainage at landings, corrosion-resistant fasteners and connectors suited to treated lumber, and gutter or downspout changes that keep roof water off stairways.

We also recommend practical maintenance for managers, such as checking railing tightness, keeping drainage paths clear, and watching for soft treads, so small issues are caught early.

When reconstruction spans several buildings, sequencing matters. Structures with the most serious conditions are typically addressed first, and stairways serving many units may need temporary access arrangements. We work with managers to set an order of work that keeps every resident with a safe way in and out of their home throughout the project.