How deck builders quote a job on-site: backyard walkthrough to signed proposal

July 14, 2026

A deck is a project a homeowner has been picturing for a while, and they’re interviewing builders as much as pricing them. The one who walks the yard and delivers a clear, itemized proposal the same day feels like the builder who’ll actually get it done. That’s who they hire.

Here’s how to go from backyard walkthrough to a signed deck proposal in about ten minutes, on your phone. We’ll use a new composite deck off the back of the house as the example.

From walkthrough to signed proposal — about ten minutes, on your phone.

Step 1 — Start the job on your phone

After you’ve walked the yard, open DoneDeal and create a new project with the customer’s name, address, and trade. Under a minute, and everything downstream builds on it.

Create the job right after the backyard walk — under a minute.

Step 2 — Add dimensions and notes

Enter the deck size and height, plus what drives the build: footings and post count, the framing plan, decking material (composite or wood), railing style and length, stairs, ledger attachment to the house, and whether a permit is needed. Bullet notes are enough for the AI to scope it.

Deck size and the details that drive the build — a few lines each.

Step 3 — Snap the photos

Photograph the build area, the ledger location on the house, the ground conditions, and any obstacles. They give the AI context and show the customer you scoped the real space, slope and all.

Photos of the build area and ledger feed the estimate and the proposal.

Step 4 — Let DoneDeal draft the estimate

Tap Generate estimate. DoneDeal drafts an itemized deck estimate — footings and posts, framing and joists, ledger and flashing, decking, railing, stairs, hardware and fasteners, permit, and stain or seal where it applies — priced for the trade and region. A complete draft in seconds.

One tap turns the walkthrough into a complete itemized draft.

Step 5 — Adjust line items and add your own

You control every number. Adjust the framing and decking quantities to your plan, tune prices to how you build, and add custom lines the yard calls for — a built-in bench, deck lighting, or a pergola the customer mentioned.

Tune every line and add custom features like a built-in bench or lighting.

Step 6 — Set tax, contingency, and your minimum

Add your tax rate, a reserve percentage for the below-grade and attachment surprises decks tend to reveal, and your minimum bid. DoneDeal totals it instantly, margin included.

A contingency for footing and attachment surprises protects your margin.

Step 7 — Generate the proposal

Tap Generate proposal. DoneDeal produces a full, professional document — summary, scope, your photos, itemized pricing, assumptions and exclusions, and a signature block — the kind of proposal that makes a homeowner comfortable greenlighting the build.

The estimate becomes a polished proposal automatically.

Step 8 — Send it before you leave

Tap Send to customer. DoneDeal generates a phone-friendly link and copies it — text or email it on the spot — and notifies you when they open it.

Send the e-signable link before you leave the backyard.

Step 9 — They approve and sign on their phone

The customer reviews the scope and price and e-signs from their phone. The job flips to won — booked while other builders are still promising a number next week.

The homeowner e-signs from their phone — the build is booked.

Why speed wins deck jobs

For a project they’ve been dreaming about, homeowners read a fast, detailed quote as proof you’ll deliver. The first complete proposal wins the emotional and the practical race. DoneDeal turns the days-long quote gap into ten minutes in the yard.

Try DoneDeal free — your first three proposals are on us. Turn your next backyard walkthrough into a signed job before you leave.

See how DoneDeal works for deck & patio builders →

Try DoneDeal free