Unfortunately, deck collapses are not that rare. Just this summer, a deck collapsed during a child’s birthday party, trapping several children and adults underneath. The cause: the deck was not up to code and was attached to the house using regular nails. Built in 2004, it’s astonishing it lasted this long.
Is your deck safe? Summer might be over, but here in Illinois, especially in areas like Naperville, we use our decks almost year round so there can’t be any safety slip ups. To determine this, a thorough inspection might be necessary. You can either do it yourself or contact a professional Illinois deck contractor, like Wolf Spirit Deck, to walk you through it.
Particularly consider inspection if:
- Your deck was there when you first purchased the house
- Your deck is five years old or older
- You live in a rental home
- Your deck has never been inspected as far as you know
- You have reason to believe your deck was not built up to code
What to Look for
Signs of Rot
Look for flaky wood that crumbles away easily. Push into the wood with a nail to check how easy it is to penetrate—wood shouldn’t be soft or spongy. Also check for wet spots and mold—a moisture issue could be present but has not yet turned into visible rot. Rusty hardware is another giveaway of a compromised deck.
Signs of Insect Infestation
Several insects common in Illinois, like carpenter bees and termites, can damage wood structures. Carpenter bees drill holes in beams underneath your deck. If you see sawdust on the ground, they may be the cause. Termites eat the cellulose in wood from the inside, so it’s not always visible. Left unchecked, insects can hollow out beams and posts, eventually causing them to fail.
Loose or Missing Nails
Underneath your deck, look for empty holes where screws or nails should be. Tug on some screws and bolts to make sure they’re firmly attached. Hardware can fall off due to rot or improper installation.
Shaky Railings
Check all railings to ensure they’re firmly secured. There should be no movement when you hold or lean on them.
Wobbly Stairs
Every stair tread should feel solid. A wobbly board could mean a loose fastener. Nails sticking out of the steps are another hazard to watch for.
Damaged Boards
Wooden decks don’t last forever—and without proper maintenance, they degrade faster. Boards may split, splinter, or crack as the deck ages.
Misused Hardware
This one is hard to identify without experience. One thing you can check is the ledger board—the part of the deck that attaches to your home. It should be secured with lag bolts or structural screws, not just nails. There should be small gaps or washers to allow water to drain behind it. If you only see regular nails, the deck could be at risk.
What’s Next?
Once the inspection is complete, it’s time to assess the damage. If you find multiple hazards on a deck that wasn’t constructed under your supervision, there’s a chance it’s not up to code. You can schedule an appointment with your local Naperville building inspector to find out for sure.
Hopefully, your examination doesn’t reveal anything serious. But if your deck is deemed dangerous, a good approach is to start fresh. This way, you’ll know the deck is structurally sound and built to code.
Contact us if you are looking for a reliable Illinois deck contractor. Wolf Spirit Deck can help evaluate your deck and devise a plan to move forward with repairs or new construction.
Our Services
At Wolf Spirit Deck, we have a close partnership with TimberTech and Deckorators. This allows us to offer 20–25-year fade and stain warranties, along with 10-year labor warranties on all our deck projects.
New Deck Construction
From framing to finishing, we build durable, beautiful decks using top-quality wood and composite materials.
Learn More ⟶
Deck Replacement
We safely remove and replace old decks, transforming your outdoor space with a fresh, up-to-code structure.
Learn More ⟶
Deck Repair & Structural Upgrades
Our team fixes damaged boards, loose railings, and structural issues to restore safety and stability.
Deck Resurfacing
Give your existing deck a like-new look by replacing worn-out boards while keeping the solid foundation.
Learn More ⟶
Railing & Stair Installation
We install and update deck railings and stairs with safe, stylish materials to match your home’s aesthetic.
Multi-Level or Elevated Decks
We build multi-level and raised decks that maximize space and create dynamic outdoor areas.
Janis Hicks
1 year ago
Radu really listened to us and made suggestions on what would work. We are in an HOA community and he had no problems complying with their requests. He handled the local permits needed as well. He was professional and knowledgeable. The workers worked very hard as well. I would recommend Wolf Spirit Deck to anyone.
Janis Hicks
1 year ago
Radu really listened to us and made suggestions on what would work. We are in an HOA community and he had no problems complying with their requests. He handled the local permits needed as well. He was professional and knowledgeable. The workers worked very hard as well. I would recommend Wolf Spirit Deck to anyone.
Paul Georgopulos
1 year ago
Radu was absolutely amazing, he is very knowledgeable and knows how to get the work done properly. He’s an expert when it comes to decking, I highly recommend his services!
Paul Georgopulos
1 year ago
Radu was absolutely amazing, he is very knowledgeable and knows how to get the work done properly. He’s an expert when it comes to decking, I highly recommend his services!
James Oliver
1 year ago
Excellent deck builders, professional, knowledgeable, hardworking and very clean
James Oliver
1 year ago
Excellent deck builders, professional, knowledgeable, hardworking and very clean
Elena Tasnic
1 year ago
I couldn’t be more thrilled with the deck that Radu and his team created! From start to finish, the entire process was seamless. The team was professional, punctual, and incredibly detail-oriented. They helped me design a deck that perfectly matched our vision while offering suggestions that enhanced both the functionality and aesthetics. The craftsmanship is top-notch, and the quality of materials used is outstanding. The team went above and beyond to ensure everything was completed to perfection, and they left the site clean and tidy every day. I’m beyond happy with the finished product and highly recommend them to anyone looking to build a beautiful, lasting deck!
Elena Tasnic
1 year ago
I couldn’t be more thrilled with the deck that Radu and his team created! From start to finish, the entire process was seamless. The team was professional, punctual, and incredibly detail-oriented. They helped me design a deck that perfectly matched our vision while offering suggestions that enhanced both the functionality and aesthetics. The craftsmanship is top-notch, and the quality of materials used is outstanding. The team went above and beyond to ensure everything was completed to perfection, and they left the site clean and tidy every day. I’m beyond happy with the finished product and highly recommend them to anyone looking to build a beautiful, lasting deck!
Michael Krause
2 years ago
Cannot recognize Radu and his team enough! They just finished my 18x15 deck and they did a great job. Team was hard working and very professional! Highly recommended!!!
Michael Krause
2 years ago
Cannot recognize Radu and his team enough! They just finished my 18x15 deck and they did a great job. Team was hard working and very professional! Highly recommended!!!
Steve Condon
2 years ago
We had a new deck (tear down and rebuild) installed by Wolf Spirit Deck, I would definitely recommend this company. They were very professional and educated about their product line and what was needed to be at code.
Our old deck was demoed within a day and prep work for the new deck was started promptly. Each day the crew took the time to clean up after themselves so there was no nails or wood that was left on the job site.
The crew were extremely professional and respectful the entire time, even taking the time each morning to shake my hand as well as each of our kids hands while they waited for the bus (the kids felt special by this gesture).
Vasile was our main builder throughout the build. He was very punctual and stayed longer than expected each day. Vasile’s craftmanship is top notch, with a keen eye for details. You can tell that Vasile takes great pride in his work and it definitely shows.
Overall, we are extremely pleased with the look of our deck and are happy we were also referred to Wolf Spirit Deck.
Our old deck was demoed within a day and prep work for the new deck was started promptly. Each day the crew took the time to clean up after themselves so there was no nails or wood that was left on the job site.
The crew were extremely professional and respectful the entire time, even taking the time each morning to shake my hand as well as each of our kids hands while they waited for the bus (the kids felt special by this gesture).
Vasile was our main builder throughout the build. He was very punctual and stayed longer than expected each day. Vasile’s craftmanship is top notch, with a keen eye for details. You can tell that Vasile takes great pride in his work and it definitely shows.
Overall, we are extremely pleased with the look of our deck and are happy we were also referred to Wolf Spirit Deck.
Steve Condon
2 years ago
We had a new deck (tear down and rebuild) installed by Wolf Spirit Deck, I would definitely recommend this company. They were very professional and educated about their product line and what was needed to be at code.
Our old deck was demoed within a day and prep work for the new deck was started promptly. Each day the crew took the time to clean up after themselves so there was no nails or wood that was left on the job site.
The crew were extremely professional and respectful the entire time, even taking the time each morning to shake my hand as well as each of our kids hands while they waited for the bus (the kids felt special by this gesture).
Vasile was our main builder throughout the build. He was very punctual and stayed longer than expected each day. Vasile’s craftmanship is top notch, with a keen eye for details. You can tell that Vasile takes great pride in his work and it definitely shows.
Overall, we are extremely pleased with the look of our deck and are happy we were also referred to Wolf Spirit Deck.
Our old deck was demoed within a day and prep work for the new deck was started promptly. Each day the crew took the time to clean up after themselves so there was no nails or wood that was left on the job site.
The crew were extremely professional and respectful the entire time, even taking the time each morning to shake my hand as well as each of our kids hands while they waited for the bus (the kids felt special by this gesture).
Vasile was our main builder throughout the build. He was very punctual and stayed longer than expected each day. Vasile’s craftmanship is top notch, with a keen eye for details. You can tell that Vasile takes great pride in his work and it definitely shows.
Overall, we are extremely pleased with the look of our deck and are happy we were also referred to Wolf Spirit Deck.
Laurel Lamp Foundation
2 years ago
I can’t say enough about the work this company does. I am a semi professional woodworker and have a woodworking school. This company build decks with the same precision that I build furniture. The attention to detail is far beyond what I would have expected. No detail was left undone.
In addition to the crew that built the deck the administrative support and follow up were the most professional.
You will be beyond pleased with the result .
In addition to the crew that built the deck the administrative support and follow up were the most professional.
You will be beyond pleased with the result .
Laurel Lamp Foundation
2 years ago
I can’t say enough about the work this company does. I am a semi professional woodworker and have a woodworking school. This company build decks with the same precision that I build furniture. The attention to detail is far beyond what I would have expected. No detail was left undone.
In addition to the crew that built the deck the administrative support and follow up were the most professional.
You will be beyond pleased with the result .
In addition to the crew that built the deck the administrative support and follow up were the most professional.
You will be beyond pleased with the result .
ADRIAN RODRIGUEZ
2 years ago
Very professional and experienced deck builder in Naperville. Our composite deck looks amazing!
ADRIAN RODRIGUEZ
2 years ago
Very professional and experienced deck builder in Naperville. Our composite deck looks amazing!
Bartony S
2 years ago
I highly recommend Wolf Spirit Deck. They replaced our old wood deck with a new composite deck. It looks great. The deck they provided has a high end feel and is professionally constructed. They also kept a clean worksite in addition to finishing faster than they originally quoted. The deck construction including the stairs were measured accurately and done right. It has been more than three months in use now and the deck, stairs and railings feel as solid as when it was first installed. They presented options and listened to what we wanted, provided good competitive pricing, and provided great customer service. If you need a professional deck builder in Naperville area, they are a great option.
Bartony S
2 years ago
I highly recommend Wolf Spirit Deck. They replaced our old wood deck with a new composite deck. It looks great. The deck they provided has a high end feel and is professionally constructed. They also kept a clean worksite in addition to finishing faster than they originally quoted. The deck construction including the stairs were measured accurately and done right. It has been more than three months in use now and the deck, stairs and railings feel as solid as when it was first installed. They presented options and listened to what we wanted, provided good competitive pricing, and provided great customer service. If you need a professional deck builder in Naperville area, they are a great option.
Susan Mazur
2 years ago
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Wolf Spirit Decks. The entire process was done in a professional and thorough manner. I had two 19-year-old wood decks that were in poor condition and needed to be replaced. Radu made the whole process so easy, from helping to get HOA approval, getting the permit and completely demolishing the old decks and removing all debris. He actually listened to me about what I wanted and made appropriate suggestions. His team was impressive! Their attention to detail their hard work were amazing. I couldn’t be happier with my new, well-constructed and, mostly, my beautiful decks.
Susan Mazur
2 years ago
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Wolf Spirit Decks. The entire process was done in a professional and thorough manner. I had two 19-year-old wood decks that were in poor condition and needed to be replaced. Radu made the whole process so easy, from helping to get HOA approval, getting the permit and completely demolishing the old decks and removing all debris. He actually listened to me about what I wanted and made appropriate suggestions. His team was impressive! Their attention to detail their hard work were amazing. I couldn’t be happier with my new, well-constructed and, mostly, my beautiful decks.
Gilbert
2 years ago
We recently had the pleasure of working with Wolf Spirit to replace our old deck, and we couldn’t be happier with the results! They exceeded our expectations from start to finish (coming from someone who can be hard to please). The quality of the work is outstanding. Every detail was meticulously attended to, and the craftsmanship is evident in every aspect of the deck.
The team at Wolf Spirit demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and a genuine passion for their craft. One of the most impressive aspects was their efficiency. They finished the project within a week, which was much faster than we anticipated. Wolf Spirit took care of everything, including obtaining the necessary permits, removing the old deck, and thoroughly cleaning up the project site. They also handled all the drawings and necessary documents needed for HOA approval, making the entire process stress-free for us.
Communication with the team was seamless. They kept us informed at every stage of the project, were always available to answer our questions, and provided valuable suggestions that enhanced the final outcome. Their dedication to customer satisfaction is truly commendable.
When we were looking for someone to build our deck, I talked to several other companies and contractors. Radu helped us visualize the design that perfectly complements our home. We were immediately impressed with Radu’s knowledge, patience (my wife keeps on adding requests), thoughtful advice and recommendations, and honest and transparent pricing. He told us, “We offer a fair price; we may not be the cheapest in the market, but I can guarantee that you will be very happy”—and they delivered.
We are thrilled with our new deck and have already received numerous compliments from friends and family. A few neighbors also stopped by and asked who built our wonderful deck. If you’re looking for a company that delivers high-quality work and exceptional service, look no further than Wolf Spirit. We highly recommend them and will definitely consider them for any future projects.
Thank you Radu, Ivan and Vasile for creating a beautiful outdoor space that we will enjoy for years to come!
The team at Wolf Spirit demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and a genuine passion for their craft. One of the most impressive aspects was their efficiency. They finished the project within a week, which was much faster than we anticipated. Wolf Spirit took care of everything, including obtaining the necessary permits, removing the old deck, and thoroughly cleaning up the project site. They also handled all the drawings and necessary documents needed for HOA approval, making the entire process stress-free for us.
Communication with the team was seamless. They kept us informed at every stage of the project, were always available to answer our questions, and provided valuable suggestions that enhanced the final outcome. Their dedication to customer satisfaction is truly commendable.
When we were looking for someone to build our deck, I talked to several other companies and contractors. Radu helped us visualize the design that perfectly complements our home. We were immediately impressed with Radu’s knowledge, patience (my wife keeps on adding requests), thoughtful advice and recommendations, and honest and transparent pricing. He told us, “We offer a fair price; we may not be the cheapest in the market, but I can guarantee that you will be very happy”—and they delivered.
We are thrilled with our new deck and have already received numerous compliments from friends and family. A few neighbors also stopped by and asked who built our wonderful deck. If you’re looking for a company that delivers high-quality work and exceptional service, look no further than Wolf Spirit. We highly recommend them and will definitely consider them for any future projects.
Thank you Radu, Ivan and Vasile for creating a beautiful outdoor space that we will enjoy for years to come!
Gilbert
2 years ago
We recently had the pleasure of working with Wolf Spirit to replace our old deck, and we couldn’t be happier with the results! They exceeded our expectations from start to finish (coming from someone who can be hard to please). The quality of the work is outstanding. Every detail was meticulously attended to, and the craftsmanship is evident in every aspect of the deck.
The team at Wolf Spirit demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and a genuine passion for their craft. One of the most impressive aspects was their efficiency. They finished the project within a week, which was much faster than we anticipated. Wolf Spirit took care of everything, including obtaining the necessary permits, removing the old deck, and thoroughly cleaning up the project site. They also handled all the drawings and necessary documents needed for HOA approval, making the entire process stress-free for us.
Communication with the team was seamless. They kept us informed at every stage of the project, were always available to answer our questions, and provided valuable suggestions that enhanced the final outcome. Their dedication to customer satisfaction is truly commendable.
When we were looking for someone to build our deck, I talked to several other companies and contractors. Radu helped us visualize the design that perfectly complements our home. We were immediately impressed with Radu’s knowledge, patience (my wife keeps on adding requests), thoughtful advice and recommendations, and honest and transparent pricing. He told us, “We offer a fair price; we may not be the cheapest in the market, but I can guarantee that you will be very happy”—and they delivered.
We are thrilled with our new deck and have already received numerous compliments from friends and family. A few neighbors also stopped by and asked who built our wonderful deck. If you’re looking for a company that delivers high-quality work and exceptional service, look no further than Wolf Spirit. We highly recommend them and will definitely consider them for any future projects.
Thank you Radu, Ivan and Vasile for creating a beautiful outdoor space that we will enjoy for years to come!
The team at Wolf Spirit demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and a genuine passion for their craft. One of the most impressive aspects was their efficiency. They finished the project within a week, which was much faster than we anticipated. Wolf Spirit took care of everything, including obtaining the necessary permits, removing the old deck, and thoroughly cleaning up the project site. They also handled all the drawings and necessary documents needed for HOA approval, making the entire process stress-free for us.
Communication with the team was seamless. They kept us informed at every stage of the project, were always available to answer our questions, and provided valuable suggestions that enhanced the final outcome. Their dedication to customer satisfaction is truly commendable.
When we were looking for someone to build our deck, I talked to several other companies and contractors. Radu helped us visualize the design that perfectly complements our home. We were immediately impressed with Radu’s knowledge, patience (my wife keeps on adding requests), thoughtful advice and recommendations, and honest and transparent pricing. He told us, “We offer a fair price; we may not be the cheapest in the market, but I can guarantee that you will be very happy”—and they delivered.
We are thrilled with our new deck and have already received numerous compliments from friends and family. A few neighbors also stopped by and asked who built our wonderful deck. If you’re looking for a company that delivers high-quality work and exceptional service, look no further than Wolf Spirit. We highly recommend them and will definitely consider them for any future projects.
Thank you Radu, Ivan and Vasile for creating a beautiful outdoor space that we will enjoy for years to come!
Varun Vij
2 years ago
Wolf Spirit Decking did an outstanding job on our deck renovation project at our home. We replaced our old wooden deck and rebuilt our entire deck with Dekorators composite decking. Radu from Wolf Spirit Decking was incredibly knowledgeable and helped us customize our deck design. His communication, attention to detail, and passion for the project were exceptional. The craftsmanship is impressive, and the final result brings me joy every time I see it. I highly recommend Wolf Spirit Decking for any deck project.
Varun Vij
2 years ago
Wolf Spirit Decking did an outstanding job on our deck renovation project at our home. We replaced our old wooden deck and rebuilt our entire deck with Dekorators composite decking. Radu from Wolf Spirit Decking was incredibly knowledgeable and helped us customize our deck design. His communication, attention to detail, and passion for the project were exceptional. The craftsmanship is impressive, and the final result brings me joy every time I see it. I highly recommend Wolf Spirit Decking for any deck project.
Vitalie Sirbu
2 years ago
I’ve been looking for deck contractors a long time and I got so many quotes, but no one beat the Wolf Spirit Deck guys! Very honest and serious company! I’m so impressed by the work these guys did, my deck turned out a piece of jewelry by the end! I highly recommend them!
Vitalie Sirbu
2 years ago
I’ve been looking for deck contractors a long time and I got so many quotes, but no one beat the Wolf Spirit Deck guys! Very honest and serious company! I’m so impressed by the work these guys did, my deck turned out a piece of jewelry by the end! I highly recommend them!
Carlos Huerta
2 years ago
We hired Wolf Spirit Decks to replace our 35 year old deck and have nothing but great things to say about the experience. Radu did an excellent job presenting us with design ideas, sharing information about the different material options, and taking care of all the permits. He regularly checked in and provided oversight of the project. Peter and the crew did a great job handling the day to day construction. They were meticulous in their work and built the deck as if it was their own. We were very impressed with the craftsmanship of the finished deck. They even cleaned up the build site every day before they left which we really appreciated.
Radu and his team by far exceeded our expectations and set the bar high for how a company should be run. Everyone who has seen the deck has been equally impressed. We highly recommend Wolf Spirit if you're in the market for a quality deck. Thanks again!
Radu and his team by far exceeded our expectations and set the bar high for how a company should be run. Everyone who has seen the deck has been equally impressed. We highly recommend Wolf Spirit if you're in the market for a quality deck. Thanks again!
Carlos Huerta
2 years ago
We hired Wolf Spirit Decks to replace our 35 year old deck and have nothing but great things to say about the experience. Radu did an excellent job presenting us with design ideas, sharing information about the different material options, and taking care of all the permits. He regularly checked in and provided oversight of the project. Peter and the crew did a great job handling the day to day construction. They were meticulous in their work and built the deck as if it was their own. We were very impressed with the craftsmanship of the finished deck. They even cleaned up the build site every day before they left which we really appreciated.
Radu and his team by far exceeded our expectations and set the bar high for how a company should be run. Everyone who has seen the deck has been equally impressed. We highly recommend Wolf Spirit if you're in the market for a quality deck. Thanks again!
Radu and his team by far exceeded our expectations and set the bar high for how a company should be run. Everyone who has seen the deck has been equally impressed. We highly recommend Wolf Spirit if you're in the market for a quality deck. Thanks again!
