Building Character LLC

Building Character LLC Deck Builders Cincinnati, aka Building Character. We must listen to each customer’s vision of what they want, and then we create what you want.

We design and install custom decks, retaining walls, waterfalls & fire pits, stamped concrete, koi ponds, outdoor kitchens, and many other outdoor living features for residential customers in the Ciny area With 28 years of experience in servicing the Cincy community and helping our customers create unforgettable outdoor living memories with friends and family. Jared & Jennifer (owners) bring you t

he industry’s most updated outdoor living designs, materials, and customer service. With 28 years of experience in servicing the community and helping our customers create exceptional outdoor living memories with friends and family. Whether it is entertaining clients, friends, or family, we deliver gorgeous outdoor living spaces which bring tranquility and spark conversation. Just check our online reviews (over 400 verified reviews), and you will also see that our craftsmanship and customer service are unmatched. Fact is, you don’t have to rob the bank to get what you want, as we give you various options right at your fingertips to explore how we can enhance your outdoor living space. We always want the expression of your guests to be
“Wow”! Who built your living space?”

You see, word of mouth is the best advertising. From one homeowner to another, we know the most significant investment homeowners will make is their home, and we are here to protect that investment for you. Do not be caught up in the circus here in the tri-state! Make sure you do homework on the contractor you hire for your home improvement needs. Do not get us wrong; there are other good deck builders in tri-state other than ourselves. We have visited homeowners that just paid the ultimate price and looking for resolutions to fix the unsatisfactory work. Or the contractor ran off with their money, incomplete work, or is simply incompetent to make it right. Sad but true: Anyone can throw a toolbox in the back of their truck and call themselves a deck builder. Ask all the right questions when obtaining a bid so you don’t get charged more than you should! The only extras you should get from any contractor would be unforeseen underlying problems and not a surprise charge. This should be an upfront agreement that you and the contractor are both aware of before the project starts. We take pride in a complete bid for your project and making your experience with us a “Stress-Free Experience.”

We do recommend going with a composite deck simply for peace of mind that it is maintenance-free (if your budget allows it). After years of working with wood and composite, we have run the numbers on the upfront cost of composite versus wood. Wood is much cheaper upfront, but you will save money with a composite deck in the long term because you won’t have the costs it takes to maintain a wood deck for the next 20 years. Today’s wood decking isn’t like it was 15 years ago, and today’s composite is not like 20 years ago. Today’s composite has come such a long way in technology that they are now offering fantastic 25-year up to lifetime warranties! We believe in using the highest quality materials such as Fiberon, Azek, Timbertech, Decorators, and Trex, among other top brands. All structure unless noted otherwise (Metal) #1 ground contact pressure treated lumber. Building Character in Cincinnati is a local, family-owned business striving to build a one-on-one relationship with you, our customer. Yes, we are here to make a living to provide for our families, and as we walk away after a hard day’s work, we see what we have accomplished. The relationships that we made humble us in gratitude. Meanwhile, engineering, estimate takeoffs, scheduling, and installs will be going on behind the scenes with our blessed team. We will build your outdoor living to last and make memories! Call us at (513) 592-1103

https://BuildingCharacterCincy.com

A door that opens to a narrow strip of concrete creates a bottleneck. In and around Cincinnati, we see this often where ...
06/08/2026

A door that opens to a narrow strip of concrete creates a bottleneck. In and around Cincinnati, we see this often where the outdoor space feels like an afterthought rather than an extension of the home.

The transition is where the layout succeeds or fails.

Observations from the field:
✅ Door swing clearing distance for high traffic
✅ Threshold height transitions to prevent tripping
✅ Alignment of indoor island with outdoor grilling zones
✅ Surface textures that signal the shift from interior to exterior

If the path from the stove to the grill requires a three-point turn, the design is fighting the user. We focus on the physical flow. A wide, unobstructed transition allows the interior kitchen to breathe.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Building Character did an amazing job on our deck and patio. Professional and high quality work."

Get a custom layout designed for your home.

Learn More.

A slight wobble in a deck railing is rarely solved by grabbing a screwdriver and torquing down the hardware. When we ins...
06/05/2026

A slight wobble in a deck railing is rarely solved by grabbing a screwdriver and torquing down the hardware. When we inspect decks in and around Cincinnati, we often find that the connection between the post and the rim joist has actually pulled away from the frame due to timber shrinkage or improper blocking underneath.

If you notice these specific behaviors, the underlying support is likely compromised:

• The post shifts laterally when weight is applied.
• A distinct clicking sound resonates from the base mount.
• You can see a hairline gap forming between the post and the decking surface.
• Moisture has begun to darken the perimeter wood, suggesting the seal has failed.

Simply tightening the fasteners into stripped wood or decayed joists creates a false sense of security. Our approach involves stripping back to the structure to reinforce the backing or adding a tension tie to ensure the railing can withstand actual pressure. If your deck in Cincinnati and surrounding areas is showing signs of movement, let us take a look at the framing integrity before the issue becomes a safety hazard.

Composite boards don't behave like pressure treated lumber. They expand and contract based on temperature swings. In and...
06/04/2026

Composite boards don't behave like pressure treated lumber. They expand and contract based on temperature swings. In and around Cincinnati, we see boards buckle or gap unevenly when the thermal expansion isn't accounted for during the fastening process.

Observation points:
✅ Boards bowing upward at the center
✅ Gaps widening or closing between planks
✅ Audible popping sounds during peak heat
✅ Visible friction rubbing at the joist edges

If the gaps are too tight, the material has nowhere to go as it heats up. This creates internal pressure that forces the board to crown. We leave specific clearances based on the board temperature at the time of install.

📍 Location: Cincinnati and surrounding areas

Proper spacing ensures the deck remains flat regardless of current conditions. It is a matter of following the manufacturer's expansion charts precisely.

Request a quote to discuss your project.

The persistent vibrations from thermal expansion and contraction often loosen deck railing hardware, especially in our l...
06/03/2026

The persistent vibrations from thermal expansion and contraction often loosen deck railing hardware, especially in our local climate. Yesterday, during a walkthrough in Hamilton County, I noticed a customer’s top rail had shifted nearly a quarter-inch, creating a gap where the anchor bolt meets the post.

These symptoms reveal how building assemblies respond to fluctuating environmental stress:
• Fastener heads showing slight circular wear in the wood grain
• Horizontal movement when applying firm lateral pressure at the mid-span
• Audible clicking or creaking sounds near the base plates
• Noticeable hardware oxidation around the ledger connection points

When inspecting your system, verify that every bolt remains seated flush against the post. If you detect any play or wobble, the structural integrity is compromised. Our teams frequently address these gaps across Cincinnati and nearby towns by reinforcing connections that have shifted under repetitive expansion cycles. Proper tension is the primary barrier between a stable deck and a hazardous failure.

Request a professional site assessment to evaluate your deck’s current stability.

A slight lip where the pavers meet the grass might look minor, but it often indicates shifting sub-base material or impr...
06/02/2026

A slight lip where the pavers meet the grass might look minor, but it often indicates shifting sub-base material or improper compaction during the initial installation. When heavy foot traffic or lawn equipment hits those uneven edges, the risk of a trip or a twisted ankle increases significantly.

Field observations in and around Cincinnati show that these transitions often fail due to:

• Soil erosion beneath the paver edge
• Improperly leveled bedding sand
• Vegetation roots lifting the stone perimeter

Maintaining a flush transition is about structural stability, not just aesthetics. If the patio edge feels loose or looks like it is sinking into the yard, the foundation is likely compromised.

Recent projects in Cincinnati and the surrounding areas often require stabilizing these borders to ensure a safe, level walking surface. Addressing these height discrepancies early prevents further shifting that can destabilize the entire hardscape.

Request a quote to ensure outdoor spaces remain safe and level.

Water pooling near a foundation on a Cincinnati hillside is a common symptom of a deck design that ignores the actual sl...
06/01/2026

Water pooling near a foundation on a Cincinnati hillside is a common symptom of a deck design that ignores the actual slope of the land. When building on these grades, the interaction between the structural footings and the natural runoff becomes the primary concern.

Recent field observations in and around Cincinnati show that improper grading around deck supports leads to soil erosion and localized saturation.

Technical considerations for hillside builds:

• Footing depth must account for shifting soil moisture levels.
• Drainage channels often need integration beneath the composite surface.
• Substructure ventilation is necessary to prevent moisture buildup against the slope.
• Retaining walls may be required to stabilize the grade near the deck perimeter.

A composite surface offers durability, but it cannot compensate for poor site drainage. Managing how water moves through the yard is just as critical as the material selection itself.

Book a site assessment to discuss your property's specific drainage needs.

A gas line running through a deck frame is a different beast than adding a grill later. When we layout the joists for a ...
05/29/2026

A gas line running through a deck frame is a different beast than adding a grill later. When we layout the joists for a project in and around Cincinnati, we look for the exact point where the line hits the surface to avoid structural compromises.

Integration points:
✅ Precision sleeve placement to prevent rubbing
✅ Gas line clearance from electrical runs
✅ Frame notches that don't weaken the load
✅ Direct access for future valve servicing

It is the difference between a grill that sits on top and a built-in kitchen that feels like part of the house. We have seen too many decks where the line was an afterthought, leading to awkward hose runs or unstable grill placements. Getting the utility right during the framing phase removes the trip hazards and the clutter.

The smell of a slow leak is a nightmare, which is why we prioritize secure, code-compliant routing before the decking boards ever go down.

Learn more about our custom outdoor kitchen builds.

Darker composite boards in sun-drenched backyards in and around Cincinnati show specific reactions to constant UV exposu...
05/28/2026

Darker composite boards in sun-drenched backyards in and around Cincinnati show specific reactions to constant UV exposure. We often notice a slight chalky residue or a shift in the depth of the color when boards are positioned in full midday sun without any overhead cover.

Observation points:
➡️ Surface temperature spikes on charcoal or espresso shades
➡️ Fading patterns specifically on south-facing perimeter rails
➡️ Subtle texture changes where water pools and evaporates rapidly
➡️ Differential wear between shaded areas and open spans

The material is engineered for this, but the physics of heat absorption is real. We see this pattern across various brands when they hit that direct exposure. It is not a failure of the product, but a reaction to environmental pressure.

📍 Location: Cleves, OH

Managing these expectations during the design phase prevents surprises later. Using strategic placement or adding a pergola can mitigate the most intense radiation.

Learn more about our building process.

Shadow lines on a deck shift based on how the rafters are angled. A flat pergola often fails to block the low-angle glar...
05/27/2026

Shadow lines on a deck shift based on how the rafters are angled. A flat pergola often fails to block the low-angle glare that hits porches in and around Cincinnati during peak daylight.

Observations from recent installs:
➡️ Rafter spacing creating striped light patterns
➡️ Overhangs failing to shade the main seating area
➡️ Heat buildup on composite boards under direct exposure
➡️ Slatted roof pitch fighting the horizon line

We notice a distinct difference in comfort when the pitch is adjusted to counteract the specific arc of the sun. If the rafters are too parallel to the ground, the shade disappears exactly when the heat peaks.

📍 Location: Cincinnati and surrounding areas

Adjusting the angle ensures the structure actually functions as a cooling tool rather than just a visual frame. It is about calculating the shadow cast, not just the look of the wood.

Learn more about custom shading options.

A slight tilt in a deck surface usually starts with something much deeper in the soil. In and around Cincinnati, the hil...
05/26/2026

A slight tilt in a deck surface usually starts with something much deeper in the soil. In and around Cincinnati, the hilly terrain creates unique pressure points that standard, shallow footings simply cannot handle over time.

Soil compaction varies significantly on slopes, which often leads to uneven settling. When one side of a structure sits on denser clay and the other on looser fill, the resulting shift is almost inevitable without specific adjustments.

Observations from the field:
• Visible gaps forming between the deck rim joist and the house siding
✅ Uneven stair treads that feel bouncy or unlevel underfoot
• Surface drainage patterns that pool near the footing base
• Hairline cracks appearing in nearby retaining walls or masonry

Proper structural stability requires excavating to specific depths based on local soil behavior and slope grade. This ensures the weight distribution remains consistent, even as environmental patterns shift the earth.

Building Character handles these specific site challenges for homeowners in Cincinnati and the surrounding areas.

Contact us to discuss your project requirements.

Address

8089 Furlong Drive
West Chester, OH
45002

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15135921103

Website

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