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Decks & Outdoor Living · Deck InspectionDeck Inspection in New Jersey
A careful visual look at the parts of your deck that carry the load and keep people safe, with a plain-language explanation of what we see.
NJ HIC #13VH12036000 | Serving homeowners across New Jersey from East Rutherford
- Free inspection & estimateNo-cost first visit
- NJ HIC #13VH12036000Registered Home Improvement Contractor
- East Rutherford headquarters168 Humboldt St
- Convenient online schedulingRequest online, then pick a time
Know what is going on under the boards
Most decks look fine from a lawn chair. The parts that matter most for safety, though, are underneath and along the house: the posts and footings, the beams and joists, the hardware that connects them, and the ledger board that fastens an attached deck to the home. A deck inspection focuses on those areas as well as the boards, railings and stairs you use every day.
Homeowners often ask for an inspection when a deck feels bouncy, a railing moves, boards are soft or splitting, or the deck has simply been around for a long time without anyone looking underneath. Buyers and sellers sometimes want a second opinion on a deck before closing, too.
We look at what is visible and accessible, note specific concerns, and take photos where they help explain things. Then we tell you what we would repair, what to keep an eye on, and what looks sound.
What a deck inspection is not
Our deck inspection is a visual condition assessment by a contractor. It is not an engineering evaluation, a load rating or a certification that a deck meets code. If something calls for an engineer or your town’s building department, we will say so.
What deck inspections often find
These are common findings. Catching them early usually keeps repairs smaller.
Ledger without flashing
Water running behind the ledger can rot the board and the house framing it is fastened to.
Corroded or missing hardware
Rusted hangers, missing nails or screws, and connectors that were never installed.
Decay at posts and joist ends
Wood that stays wet, especially near the ground or under boards, softens over time.
Settled or leaning posts
Posts that have shifted, sunk or lost contact with their footings.
Loose guards and handrails
Railings that flex or pull away from their posts under light pressure.
Split or cupped boards
Surface boards that crack, cup or pop their fasteners and become trip hazards.
Repair it, replace it, or keep an eye on it
The inspection is about information. What we recommend depends on what we actually find.
Findings that usually lead to repairs
- A handful of soft or broken boards
- Loose railing posts or a worn handrail
- Missing or corroded connectors that can be replaced
- Surface weathering that needs cleaning and sealing
Findings that may point to replacement
- Decay throughout joists, beams or posts
- A failed or poorly attached ledger
- Footings that have moved or were undersized
- Repeated patch repairs across the whole deck
Factors that affect the decision
How widespread the damage is, the condition of the structural members and ledger, how the deck was originally built, and what your town would require for repairs versus a rebuild.
When further investigation is needed
Hidden decay inside framing or behind the ledger may only be confirmed when materials are opened up. When something needs a closer look, or an engineer’s or building official’s opinion, we explain why.
How your deck inspection works
Request
Send the form with photos of the deck from above and below if you can safely take them.
Book
Choose a time on our Google Calendar booking page.
Walk the deck
We check boards, railings and stairs, then look underneath where accessible.
Document
We note concerns and take photos where they help explain the condition.
Explain
We go over what we saw, what matters most, and what can wait.
Estimate
If repairs make sense, you get an estimate. The decision is yours.
Access under low decks can be limited. If an area cannot be seen, we tell you rather than guess.
Deck components we check
A deck works as a system. These four groups cover most of what an inspection looks at.
Foundation
Footings, post bases and posts, including signs of movement, decay or poor ground contact.
Framing & hardware
Beams, joists, hangers, bolts and fasteners, and whether connections look complete and sound.
Ledger connection
How an attached deck is fastened to the house and whether flashing protects the joint from water.
Walking & safety surfaces
Decking boards, railings, guards, stairs and handrails people rely on every day.
What Our Customers Say
We have not yet received Google reviews about deck inspections specifically. These are genuine Google reviews about our work in general.
Excerpt“Very communicative and helps you understand where and what the problem is.”
“Very pleasant young dude. Explained things clearly. Not aggressive, simply presenting options.”
Excerpt“Their team was professional, responsive, and knowledgeable from the initial consultation through project completion. They took the time to explain the process, materials, and costs in detail, which made me feel confident in their expertise.”
Quoted from our Google Business Profile. Rating and count as of October 28, 2026.
Deck inspections throughout New Jersey
We inspect decks for homeowners across the state from our East Rutherford headquarters. Choose your county below, or browse the full list of towns.
Headquarters
168 Humboldt St, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
(551) 241-0470 · monarchroofingnj@gmail.com
Service availability can vary by location and schedule. See all service areas.
Deck inspection FAQs
Is your deck inspection a code or engineering inspection?
No. It is a visual condition assessment by a contractor. It does not certify the deck, rate its load capacity or replace an inspection by your town or a licensed engineer.
Is the deck inspection free?
Yes. Like our other inspections, it is free, and an estimate is provided if repairs are recommended.
What is a ledger board and why do you check it?
On an attached deck, the ledger is the board fastened to the house that supports one end of the joists. If it is poorly fastened or not flashed, water and decay can weaken that connection.
Will you go under the deck?
Where there is safe access. On very low decks or enclosed undersides we may only see part of the framing, and we tell you which areas we could not check.
My deck feels bouncy. Is it unsafe?
Not necessarily, but it is worth a look. Bounce can come from long joist spans, missing blocking, loose connections or decay. An inspection helps narrow down the cause.
Can you inspect a deck for a home sale?
Yes, as a visual contractor opinion. It is not a substitute for the buyer’s home inspection or any municipal requirements.
What should I do if a railing is loose?
Keep people from leaning on it and arrange an inspection or repair soon. Loose guards are one of the more urgent deck issues.
Do you give a written summary?
We explain findings at the visit and include recommended work in the estimate, with photos where they help.
Request Your Free Deck Inspection
Tell us about your project, upload photos if available, and choose your preferred inspection date and time.
Please note: preferred dates and times are requests until your booking is confirmed.
Prefer to talk? Call or text (551) 241-0470 or email monarchroofingnj@gmail.com.
Wondering How Your Deck Is Holding Up?
Send us a few photos and book a time. We will take a careful look and tell you plainly what we find.