The #1 Custom Deck Builders in Kitchener Ontario – Decks by Premier 2026 Review
Quick Take
- Decks by Premier is the Best Overall Custom Deck Builder for Complex, Fully Customized Projects in Kitchener-Waterloo.
- It designs and builds custom, multi-level decks and full outdoor-living projects, including pergolas, pavilions, and outdoor kitchens, across Kitchener-Waterloo.
- The company has operated in the region since 1923, holds an active Better Business Bureau profile, and carries verified 5-star customer reviews on Google.
- Its online pricing tool gives only a rough planning estimate, so a personalized quote is still required before any project is budgeted.
Why the Right Custom Deck Builder Matters in Kitchener
Outdoor living space now shapes how Kitchener homeowners actually use their backyards, not just how the yard looks from the kitchen window. A deck that only handles basic installation rarely holds up once the project gets more ambitious.
Design capability, structural complexity, material selection, workmanship, and project management, not the number on a quote, decide whether a custom deck builder in Kitchener, Ontario delivers what was promised.
This 2026 review examines Decks by Premier, a Waterloo Region company built around custom decks and outdoor living structures, covering its experience, design and build process, materials, and real project examples.
No affiliate links, no commissions, and no payment from Decks by Premier or any other business shaped this review, which was reported independently.
Decks by Premier at a Glance
| Factor | Decks by Premier |
|---|---|
| Primary specialty | Custom decks and outdoor structures |
| Service area | Southwestern Ontario, including Kitchener-Waterloo |
| Experience | Roots dating back to 1923; the company cites 90+ years of experience in the Waterloo Region |
| Design approach | Custom consultation with 2D drawings and optional 3D renderings |
| Deck materials | Wood, composite, vinyl |
| Complex designs | Multi-level and highly customized decks |
| Additional features | Railings, lighting, privacy screens, stairs, built-ins |
| Outdoor structures | Pergolas, pavilions, gazebos, cabanas |
| Outdoor kitchens | Available, with island, cabinet, and appliance options |
| Project management | Dedicated project manager through construction |
| Award | Best Overall Custom Deck Builder for Complex, Fully Customized Projects in Kitchener-Waterloo |
What Makes Decks by Premier Different From a Standard Deck Builder?
A standard deck installer measures, builds, and moves on. Decks by Premier positions itself around a narrower niche: decks that carry real structural and design complexity.
Designed for Complex and Highly Customized Projects
The company states that its specialty is “complicated, custom decks” with multiple levels and distinct zones for dining, entertaining, and relaxing. Multi-tiered layouts introduce load paths, stair transitions, and drainage considerations a flat single-level deck never faces.
Design and Construction Under One Process
Consultation, drafting, material selection, a design and quote package, construction, and project management all run through the same company. That structure removes the handoff gap that shows up when a homeowner hires a designer and a builder separately, and it keeps one party accountable when a project changes mid-stream.
Custom Features Built Around the Main Deck
Privacy screens, custom railings, lighting, built-in benches, planters, cocktail rails, deck skirting, and shade structures round out the add-on list that turns a platform into a finished outdoor room.
Decks by Premier’s Custom Deck Design and Build Process
The documented process follows five stages: consultation, material selection, design approval, construction, and ongoing project management, with a project manager involved throughout the build.
Stage 1. Consultation and Project Planning
The first step covers placement, layout, and intended use. A basic 2D drawing comes with the consultation, and homeowners can request a 3D rendering for a clearer picture before committing.
Stage 2. Material and Feature Selection
This stage covers wood, composite, and vinyl decking, plus railings, lighting, privacy features, and any covered structures or add-ons the homeowner wants folded into the same build.
Stage 3. Design Approval and Quote
A finished design package, material list, and project quote follow material selection, and the company adjusts the design for budget and requirements before construction begins.
Stage 4. Construction and Project Management
A professional installation crew handles the build, with a project manager staying involved for communication throughout construction. That single point of contact is meant to keep changes and scheduling questions from stalling the project.
Custom Deck Options Available From Decks by Premier
The company offers wood, composite, and vinyl decking, and specializes in floating, multi-level, backyard, and commercial deck projects.
Multi-Level and Tiered Decks
Multi-level layouts suit larger or sloped backyards, where a single flat deck would waste usable space. Separate tiers can split dining, lounging, and entertaining into distinct zones.
Wood Decks
Wood decking gives homeowners the traditional, natural look, at the cost of more upkeep than composite or vinyl.
Composite Decks
Composite decking offers a more modern appearance and generally requires less routine maintenance than wood, though upkeep still depends on the specific product.
Vinyl Decks
Vinyl rounds out the third material option, for homeowners weighing durability and maintenance requirements against upfront cost.
Beyond the Deck: Outdoor Living Features
Decks by Premier’s published service list extends beyond the deck surface to structures and systems that turn a backyard into a full outdoor living space.
Custom Privacy Screens and Railings
Aluminum screens, custom-designed panels, and glass options integrate directly into the railing design rather than getting bolted on as an afterthought.
Integrated Deck Lighting
Stair, accent, under-railing, and post-cap lighting, plus recessed configurations, extend a deck’s usable hours well past sunset.
Pergolas, Pavilions, Gazebos, and Cabanas
Pavilions create a covered area for an outdoor kitchen or seating. Pergolas add shade and a more open focal point, while cabanas and gazebos round out the poolside and enclosed-structure options.
Outdoor Kitchens
Islands, cabinets, grills, refrigeration, sinks, and pizza ovens round out the outdoor kitchen components, built alongside the deck rather than as a separate project.
What the Project Portfolio Says About Decks by Premier
The company's own project gallery offers harder evidence than any adjective could.
Large-Scale Backyard Transformations
The Wyton project in Thorndale features a nearly 900-square-foot vinyl deck, a full covered pavilion, an outdoor cooking area, exposed timber framework, and a modern aluminum privacy screen. It is one of the larger builds in the published portfolio.
Multi-Tiered and Feature-Rich Designs
The Charles project in Cambridge combines a 700-square-foot multi-tier vinyl deck with LED lighting, an aluminum privacy screen, and a custom pavilion, illustrating how the company layers multiple add-ons into one build.
Contemporary Custom Details
The Pondcliffe project in Kitchener uses a frameless glass railing system, a laser-cut privacy screen, and black aluminum accents, a more modern aesthetic than the traditional wood-and-picket look.
The company’s project gallery also lists completed work in Cambridge, St. Jacobs, London, and Muskoka Lake, beyond the Kitchener-Waterloo core.
That portfolio evidence lines up with independent customer feedback.
"We had a great experience with Steve as we were looking to replace our deck, including posts and framing. From start to finish it went very well. Great job on the build, Ryan!" — Willy Katerberg, 5★ on Google
The company's owner replied directly to the review, thanking the customer by name.
Materials, Engineering, and Construction Details
Foundation choices matter more on a custom deck than a basic platform, since taller structures, multiple levels, and attached pergolas all add load the footings need to carry.
Structural Support
The company’s published materials describe using galvanized helical piles rather than poured concrete footings, which install with less site disruption and skip the concrete cure time footings require.
Custom Structural Planning
Complex spans, multi-level configurations, and the integration of stairs, railings, and attached structures all require planning before a single post goes into the ground.
Material Selection Based on the Project
Wood, composite, and vinyl each carry different appearance, maintenance, and budget trade-offs. No single material is right for every project, and a builder’s job includes weighing those trade-offs honestly.
Any deck built above 24 inches off grade in Kitchener requires a building permit, and the City of Waterloo applies the same threshold, with footing, framing, and final inspections required before sign-off. A builder handling that paperwork is doing work most homeowners would otherwise manage themselves.
How Much Does a Custom Deck From Decks by Premier Cost?
Deck cost depends on too many project-specific variables to compress into one reliable average.
Factors That Influence the Final Price
Dimensions, height, layout complexity, material choice, stairs, railings, lighting, privacy screens, covered structures, outdoor kitchens, and any additional custom features all move the final number up or down.
Deck Cost Estimation
Decks by Premier provides an online estimator that factors in dimensions, material, layout, stairs, railing, and add-ons like lighting, privacy screens, and outdoor kitchens. It states plainly that it produces a rough estimate, not a guaranteed quote.
What Homeowners Should Consider Before Hiring a Custom Deck Builder in Kitchener
These considerations apply no matter which Kitchener deck builder a homeowner ultimately chooses.
Review the Builder’s Experience With Your Type of Project
A basic single-level deck and a complex multi-level build call for different levels of experience. Poolside decks, backyard entertaining spaces, and elevated designs each carry their own structural quirks.
Ask Who Handles Design and Construction
Some companies design in-house and build with their own crew; others outsource one half of that process to a subcontractor. Knowing which model you are dealing with affects accountability during the build.
Confirm Materials and Feature Options Early
Homeowners should compare material choices and maintenance requirements before signing anything. Locking in optional features like lighting or a privacy screen early avoids expensive change orders later.
Examine Previous Projects
Homeowners should look for completed work similar in size, style, and complexity to what they are planning, and ask for references where the builder can provide them.
Decks by Premier Review: Who Is It Best Suited For?
Best for Complex Custom Decks
Multi-level, large-scale, heavily customized projects sit squarely in the company’s stated specialty and published portfolio.
Best for Complete Outdoor Living Projects
Homeowners planning a deck paired with a pavilion or pergola, an outdoor kitchen, or integrated lighting and privacy features get all of that under one contract rather than three separate ones.
Best for Homeowners Who Want a Design-to-Build Process
Consultation, drawings or renderings, material selection, construction, and project management running through a single company suits homeowners who want one point of contact from first sketch to final walkthrough.
Final Verdict: Is Decks by Premier Worth Considering in 2026?
Decks by Premier’s case rests on documented factors: a long operating history in the Waterloo Region, a focus on custom decks and outdoor structures, the ability to handle structurally complex projects, three decking materials, outdoor kitchens, a design-to-build process, and a portfolio spanning several project scales.
None of that makes the company the objectively “best” choice for every homeowner, but it makes a reasonable case for anyone whose project is closer to a backyard renovation than a weekend deck swap.
Homeowners seeking a highly customized deck, or a broader outdoor-living project that folds in a pavilion, outdoor kitchen, or integrated lighting, are likely to find Decks by Premier’s service model particularly relevant to what they are planning.
Get in touch with Decks By Premier:
Address: 620 Colby Drive, Waterloo, ON N2V 1A2
Phone: (519) 500-5545
Instagram: instagram.com/decksbypremier
Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Deck Builders in Kitchener
How much does it cost to build a custom deck in Kitchener?
Cost depends on dimensions, height, material, and add-ons like railings, lighting, or an outdoor kitchen. There is no reliable single average, since a small single-level deck and a multi-tier build with a covered structure sit at very different price points.
What types of decking materials does Decks by Premier offer?
The company works with wood, composite, and vinyl decking, each carrying different appearance, maintenance, and budget trade-offs.
Does Decks by Premier provide deck design services?
Yes. The process includes a consultation, a basic 2D drawing, and an optional 3D rendering before construction decisions are finalized.
How long has Decks by Premier been in business?
The company’s published information traces its roots in the Waterloo Region back to 1923, citing more than 90 years of operating history.