Deck Build – Browns Mills, NJ
This was not a deck replacement — it was a deck built where a concrete porch and paver patio used to be. The existing structures had to come out first, which meant breaking up concrete and removing paver sections before any new framing could go in. The finished deck is 665 square feet of Trex Enhance Basics composite decking on a reinforced pressure-treated frame, with three sets of stairs each landing on a new concrete pad. The project included permits, demolition, framing, decking, stairs, and landings — completed in September 2025.
What This Project Included
- Permit procurement and code compliance throughout
- Demolition of existing concrete porch
- Demolition of paver brick patio sections
- New reinforced deck frame construction
- Trex Enhance Basics composite decking boards
- Three sets of deck stairs
- Three new concrete landings at stair bases
Demolition First: Concrete and Pavers
The site had two existing structures to deal with before any new construction could begin: a concrete porch and a paver brick patio. Both had to be removed to establish the footprint and grade conditions for the new deck frame. Breaking up and hauling away concrete is a different task from standard demolition — it requires the right equipment and adds time and cost that a deck build on a clean site would not carry.
Getting the site prepared correctly before framing starts is the step that determines whether the deck sits at the right height, drains properly, and connects to the house at the correct elevation. Rushing the demo to save time is one of the more common reasons decks end up with drainage problems or awkward transitions at the door threshold.
Permits
The permit for this deck was handled as part of the project. In Burlington County, NJ, a deck of this size requires a building permit — the structure has to be reviewed, inspected, and signed off by the municipality before it is considered code-compliant. Belmax managed the permit application process as part of the project scope. The permit fee itself was not included in the contract value, but the time and coordination required to obtain and satisfy the permit were part of how this project was managed.
Working with a permitted deck matters for two practical reasons: the structure is inspected at key stages to verify the framing is correct, and the completed deck does not create complications for the homeowner’s insurance coverage or any future property transaction.
The Frame
A reinforced pressure-treated frame was built as the structural base for the deck. On a 665-square-foot deck, the framing layout — joist spacing, beam sizing, post placement, and connection hardware — has to carry the load of the composite decking and the people using the deck comfortably over time. Composite boards are heavier than standard lumber decking, and the frame was built to accommodate that.
The framing was also designed to accommodate three sets of stairs at different access points around the deck perimeter, which affects how the rim joists and perimeter blocking are laid out before the decking goes down.
Trex Enhance Basics Composite Decking
Trex Enhance Basics was the decking material selected for this project. Composite decking at this tier performs differently from pressure-treated wood in a few specific ways that matter over the life of the deck: it does not require annual sealing or staining, it does not splinter or warp the way untreated wood can, and the color is more stable over time with standard UV exposure. The Enhance Basics line sits at the entry level of the Trex product range, which keeps the material cost lower than the higher-tier Trex products while still delivering the core performance benefits of composite construction.
The boards were installed with consistent spacing for drainage and fastened according to Trex’s installation specifications, which is what maintains the warranty on the material.
Three Stair Sets and Concrete Landings
Three separate stair assemblies were built connecting the deck to the yard at different points. Each stair set was framed and installed with proper tread depth and riser height to meet code requirements for residential deck stairs. At the base of each stair set, a new concrete landing was poured and finished. The landings provide a stable, non-settling surface at the foot of the stairs — without them, the ground at high-traffic stair locations tends to erode and become uneven over time, which affects both how the stairs feel to use and how the base of the stringer sits.
What the Homeowner Got
The finished deck replaces an underused concrete porch and paver patio with 665 square feet of low-maintenance composite outdoor space accessible from three points. The Trex surface will not need the seasonal maintenance that a wood deck requires, and the three stair sets give the deck flexibility in how it connects to the yard. The permits are closed and the structure is code-compliant. For a site that required demolition before construction could even begin, the project came in at $12,500.
Deck Installation in Browns Mills and the Surrounding Area
Browns Mills is a community in Burlington County, NJ. Deck projects in this area follow NJ residential building code requirements, including the permit and inspection process that applies to any permanent attached or detached deck structure. Belmax Remodeling works in New Jersey as well as Pennsylvania, handling deck builds that require permitting, demolition, and full structural installation.
For more on our deck work, see our deck installation service page. Homeowners in the New Jersey area can request a free estimate to discuss what a deck project on their property would involve.
Considering a Deck Project?
Deck builds that involve site demolition, permits, composite decking, and multiple stair sets are more involved than a straightforward deck replacement on a prepared site. This Browns Mills project — 665 square feet, Trex composite, three stair sets with concrete landings, demo of an existing concrete porch and paver patio, and permit coordination — came in at $12,500 in September 2025.