Deck builder leads are worth the visit when the homeowner can say whether it is at ground level or raised, roughly how big, what material, and whether they know about approvals. Those answers decide how much of your day the job needs. A homeowner who says “just a deck” and nothing else is early.
This article covers decks. Fences, including pool fences and boundary fences, are in fencing leads.
Ground level or raised
This is the first question, because it changes the rules, the footings and the price. Ask for the height of the finished floor above the ground at the highest point. If the homeowner does not know, ask if there are steps down to the yard, and how many.
Height triggers approvals in several states. Examples of the thresholds, all of which you should check for your own council:
- New South Wales: to count as exempt development, the NSW Government says the floor must not be more than 1 m above ground, the deck must not exceed 25 m², and it must be set back at least 900 mm from the lot boundary in most zones (5 m in some rural and large-lot zones).
- Queensland: one council, the Gold Coast, says building approval is required for an elevated deck unless it is smaller than 10 m² and less than 1.0 m high, and timber in continuous ground contact with no posts or supports does not need approval if it meets building requirements.
- Victoria: one council, Frankston, says a building permit is needed to construct a deck regardless of its size, and that a planning permit may also be needed depending on the zone, the lot size and any overlays.
Those three show how far the rules vary. A deck that needs no approval in one state may need a permit in another. Do not tell the homeowner it is fine. Say you will confirm it with the council or certifier as part of your price.
Timber or composite
Material changes the price, the lead time and the upkeep, so ask what the homeowner has in mind. Some know exactly. Many have a picture from somewhere and a budget.
- Have they picked a material, or do they want advice?
- Do they want a particular colour, board width or finish?
- Have they thought about upkeep and cost over time? Tell them plainly what you use and why.
The aim is not to sell. It is to find out if the homeowner understands the choice. One who has compared two options and picked a budget is a stronger enquiry than one who asks for a price per square metre.
Permit and council points a caller can flag
You are not the certifier. But the first call can flag the things that change the timeline. Ask:
- Is the deck at ground level, or raised, and by how much?
- How big is it, roughly, in square metres?
- How close to a boundary will it be?
- Has the council or a certifier been contacted, or are there drawings?
- Are there any covenants, heritage overlays or estate rules the homeowner knows of?
Licensing also varies. In NSW, the government says structural landscaping, which includes decks and pergolas, needs a contractor licence when the work is valued at more than $5,000 in labour and materials, including GST. Check the rule in your own state.
Access and site slope
The site decides how long a deck takes. Ask:
- How do materials get to the back? A side gate, a path through the house, or over a fence?
- Does the yard slope? A fall away from the house means taller posts on one side.
- Is there an existing deck, paving or pergola to remove?
- Any trees, drains or services where the posts would go?
Photos help here. A homeowner can send a couple from their phone, and you will usually see in a minute what a description would take ten to explain. See how to qualify building enquiries for the wider habit.
Add-ons: balustrade, pergola, stairs
Add-ons are where a small job becomes a big one, and where the quote surprises people.
- Balustrade. Ask if the homeowner expects one on a raised deck, and what style.
- Stairs. A raised deck needs a way down. Ask how many steps and where.
- Pergola or roof. This changes the approvals. For example, the Gold Coast says an unroofed pergola does not need approval if it is under 2.4 m high, 10 m² and 5.0 m long, per the council page linked above. Check how your council treats a roof.
- Lighting, power and built-in seating. Some of this needs another licensed trade, so flag it early.
Ask for the full wish list on the first call. It is better to hear about the pergola now than at the end of your quote.
Where deck builder leads come from
Decks come from referrals, your site, ads, builders and landscapers, and shared marketplaces. The trade-offs are the same as for other home trades: shared leads are quick but the same homeowner is often sent to several businesses, and your own ads give volume you control but include price checks.
A checked lead is one where someone has already rung the homeowner and asked these questions. PreBuild Systems rings each homeowner who enquires and sends them to one business only (how it works). The fencing and decking page has more on this trade. Whatever source you use, the speed of your reply matters as much as the source.
Common questions
What makes a deck enquiry worth a visit?
The homeowner can say whether it is ground level or raised, roughly how big, what material, and whether they know about approvals. They own the home and have a time they want it done.
Do I need a permit to build a deck?
It depends on the state, the council, the height and the size. See the examples above and check with the council or a certifier.
How do I get deck builder leads?
Referrals, your own site and ads, partnerships with builders and landscapers, and shared marketplaces. Judge each by signed jobs.
Should I price a deck over the phone?
Not without scope, height, size, material and access. Get those first, ask for photos, then decide if a visit is needed.