The leads are there, the crews are busy, the days are full, but something still feels off. Profit is inconsistent, jobs feel chaotic, and growth starts to create more stress instead of more freedom.

Running a deck building business often starts with doing everything yourself. You handle the calls, manage the projects, follow up with leads, and still find yourself catching up on admin work late at night. At some point, it stops being sustainable. That’s where the conversation around time, delegation, and systems becomes critical.

While vacationing in Laguna Beach, the couple opened up about their entrepreneurial journey and what it really takes to build a business that not only supports their family but also leaves room for personal growth and quality time. Here’s what they had to say.

A lot of deck builders are busy right now. Estimates are going out, calls are coming in, and the calendar looks packed. But despite all that activity, many are still landing smaller jobs, dealing with price shoppers, or spending time on leads that never go anywhere. It’s easy to assume the solution is simple: get more leads. But in most cases, that’s not the real problem.

As a deck builder, you may think offering free estimates is the key to bringing in new business. After all, it’s a standard practice in the industry. But in reality, free estimates could be costing you more than you think—especially when it comes to your time and profitability.

Homeowners are researching earlier. They are vetting harder. They are choosing the builder they already trust before the first sales call. Marketing is no longer about chasing leads. It’s about building trust before they ever reach out.

If you missed April’s session at Deck Expo 2025, this is your chance to watch the full breakdown.

From professionalism in 2026 to co-op marketing dollars, partnership opportunities, and common mistakes builders make when asking for support, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what actually earns long-term backing from manufacturers.