Delaney and Nancy’s two-storey Glebe deck

Ottawa home renovations contractor Paul Gratton Dalaney and Nancy 2 storey deck Glebe Day 1 before

Day 1: Deck before demolition.

Delaney and Nancy live in a handsome old house in the Glebe, one of Ottawa’s more desirable neighbourhoods. But, their two-storey deck has seen better days.

With engineer drawings and permits approved by the City, we’re spending the next two weeks removing the old deck and building a new one.

The deck will have pressure treated timber for the frame and cedar for the boards and hand rail. We’ll also be adding a window on the second level, where there isn’t currently one.

Ottawa home renovations contractor Paul Gratton Dalaney and Nancy 2 storey deck Glebe Day 2 digging holes

Day 2: It’s a glamorous job. Two 6-foot-deep, 2.5-foot-wide

holes. Dug. By. Hand.

Day 2: Today was everyone’s favourite task. We dug two 6-foot-deep, 2.5-foot-wide holes by hand. Being competitive, Don and I raced to see who’d finish first. It was a gruelling 2.5 hours of digging and I won.

The city inspector approved our work and was incredulous that we’d dug the holes manually.

Day 3: The deck will be supported by posts on one side and braced against the house on the other side. We opened up the house exterior today and discovered poured concrete instead of the wood rim joist anticipated by the engineer’s drawings. Full work stop.

Ottawa home renovations contractor Paul Gratton Dalaney and Nancy 2 storey deck Glebe Day 4 Postech Metal Foundation

Postech putting in screw pile.

Day 8: One week and dozens of phone calls later. The concrete’s composition isn’t strong enough to support the deck, so new drawings call for metal screw piles near the house foundation to support the deck. Postech came this morning and we’re moving forward with deck building.

Ottawa home renovations contractor Paul Gratton Dalaney and Nancy 2 storey deck Glebe Day 5 Deck Building

Days 9 – 11: Building the deck is full steam ahead. Both levels, the handrails and stairs are built, and have been inspected by the City. The inspector was impressed with how solid the deck is — doesn’t budge an inch.

Nancy keeps sending me happy text messages. Love happy clients.

Ottawa home renovations contractor Paul Gratton Dalaney and Nancy 2 storey deck Glebe Day 7 gate

Rain day and it’s not safe to use power tools
outdoors. Built this gate in my basement.

Day 12: Mother Nature sent rain today and it’s not safe to use power tools outdoors. So, I built the deck gate in my basement.

The deck is complete and all approved by the City inspector.

Ottawa home renovations contractor 2 storey deck glebe cedar

Done! Deck on the left is Delaney and Nancy’s. Deck
on the right is neighbour’s old deck. Same as what
Delaney and Nancy had before.

Delaney and Nancy both shared renovation photos on their Facebook pages and kindly recommended us to their friends.

A few words from Nancy:
“Happy to recommend these guys – they did what they said they would, and more, and came in on budget. We now have a new, solid deck to replace the old, falling down, slanty dangerous deck that was circa 1980. Importantly, they’re also extremely decent folk. Thanks to Stephanie and Keri for the recommendation!”

A few words from Delaney:
“If you’re thinking renovations, give these guys a call. Phenomenal service, creative ideas and problem-solving skills in spades.”

Ottawa home renovations contractor Paul Gratton Dalaney and Nancy 2 storey deck Glebe Day 8 copper solar power lights

Copper solar lights.