When I first started offering deck repair services in Baltimore, I had nothing more than a rusty pickup truck, a set of basic tools, and a willingness to hustle. Fast forward a few years, and what started as a side gig has grown into a full-time, six-figure business with a small crew, repeat clients, and steady contracts with commercial properties across the city.

If you’re thinking about getting into the deck repair in Baltimore—or just wondering how such a niche service can become profitable—this is the story of how we made it work. Spoiler: It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.

Starting with What I Knew

I didn’t have a fancy business degree or a marketing background. I had a background in general carpentry and had done some deck builds and repairs working under other contractors. When I went solo, I focused on repairs rather than full installations for a few key reasons:

• Lower upfront material costs

• Faster project turnaround

• Immediate demand, especially in aging neighborhoods

Baltimore, with its mix of historic rowhomes and suburban properties, is full of aging decks. Many homeowners and small businesses need safety upgrades, board replacements, and refinishing—but don’t want to replace the entire structure. This created a perfect entry point.

Finding the First Customers

I started by posting ads on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. I offered free estimates, showed up on time, and priced fairly. My first few jobs were small—fixing a wobbly railing, replacing cracked boards, or pressure-washing and staining—but I treated each project with the professionalism of a much bigger job.

Word started to spread. I got my first few Google reviews. Then, referrals started to roll in.

I made sure to ask each customer for two things:

1. A review on Google or Yelp.

2. A referral if they were happy.

Those early customers became my best marketing team.

Turning Deck Repair Into a Business

After a few months of consistent work, I realized I had a choice: stay a solo operator or start thinking like a business owner. I chose the latter. Here’s what that transition looked like:

• Branding: I created a name and logo that reflected trust and professionalism—important for standing out in a crowded local service market.

• Licensing and Insurance: Baltimore homeowners are savvy, and many won’t hire unlicensed contractors. Getting bonded and insured opened doors to higher-paying clients.

• Website & SEO: I hired a freelance web designer to build a simple site and invested time into learning local SEO. I targeted keywords like “Baltimore deck repair,” “deck contractors near me,” and “deck staining Baltimore.”

• Hiring: After I was consistently booked out weeks in advance, I brought on a part-time helper, who later became a full-time team member.

Landing Commercial Clients

One of the biggest boosts in revenue came from shifting part of my focus to commercial deck repairs. Restaurants with rooftop seating, apartment complexes, and HOAs all need reliable deck maintenance. These contracts are usually larger and more recurring than residential work.

For example, I landed a contract with a local property management firm that manages five apartment buildings in the area. Each had deck balconies or shared patios that needed regular maintenance and repairs. That single account now brings in about 20% of our annual revenue.

Revenue Breakdown and Business Metrics

We now average around $250K/year in gross revenue, with healthy margins due to the low overhead of repair work. Here’s a rough breakdown:

• Residential Repairs: 55%

• Commercial Contracts: 35%

• Deck Cleaning/Staining Only: 10%

Our average residential job ticket is $1,200, and our commercial jobs range from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on scope.

Keys to Growth

Looking back, here are a few things that made the difference:

• Specialization: Focusing on repair instead of full builds helped me stand out and become the go-to expert in a niche.

• Consistency: Showing up on time, communicating clearly, and following through helped build trust—and trust leads to referrals.

• Smart Marketing: Local SEO, Google reviews, and networking with real estate agents and property managers helped fuel growth without expensive ad spend.

Final Thoughts

Baltimore is a city of character—and that includes its homes and decks. There’s steady demand for quality, reliable deck repair services, and homeowners and businesses are willing to pay for peace of mind. If you’re looking to turn a trade skill into a real business, this niche is full of opportunity.

Whether you’re just starting or scaling, remember: every big business started small. Sometimes, it’s those little repairs that build the biggest success stories.