Why Being a Subcontractor for All Decked Out may be Better Than Starting Your Own Deck-Building Business

Starting your own business sounds like the ultimate dream for many people in the trades. But the reality is, running a business comes with a lot of hidden challenges that can quickly turn that dream into a headache. At All Decked Out, we offer a better way for skilled deck builders to focus on what they do best while making more money and avoiding the common pitfalls of going solo. Here’s why joining our team as a certified installer is a smarter move than striking out on your own.

1. You Can’t Do It All—And You Don’t Have To

As a business owner, you're not just the lead carpenter or deck builder; you have to wear many hats. You’ll be responsible for:

Answering phones
Scheduling clients
Giving free estimates
Dealing with payroll
Workers Comp
Handling accounting
Writing legal contracts
Training employees
OSHA compliance
Employee hiring and retention
Social media management
Photography
Drafting / Revisions
Permitting
Material take offs

These tasks are important and if you're not doing these and operating illegally then it’s only a matter of time before the stack falls. These things listed eat up your time and energy, leaving you stretched thin. Most owners find themselves overwhelmed, working long hours not on building, but on running the business. In contrast, when you join All Decked Out, you can focus on what you love—crafting beautiful decks—while we handle the rest.

2. Proven System for Higher Pay

Many new business owners work hard but struggle financially. Common hurdles include:

Errors in estimating
Wasting time on free estimates
Not being able to afford materials upfront

Our proven system ensures that our installers avoid these financial pitfalls. With us, you don’t have to worry about:

Doing material take-offs
Answering endless emails
Chasing clients for payments

We take care of the details, allowing you to focus on installing and getting paid. And not just paid—but paid well. Our installers start at a Silver level and can earn their way to Gold and Platinum levels, which means even greater pay. As you grow with us, your income grows too.

3. No Guesswork or Setbacks

Building a business takes years of trial and error, learning from costly mistakes that could set you back both financially and mentally. From estimating errors to managing payroll, these mistakes can be frustrating. When you become a certified installer for All Decked Out, you start making money from Day 1, without the learning curve that comes with running a business. You avoid the setbacks and get right to the good stuff—building amazing outdoor spaces.

4. Part of a Skilled Team with Access to Resources

One of the greatest benefits of joining All Decked Out is being part of a team of highly skilled deck builders. Our group shares knowledge, stays updated on the latest trends, and supports one another to grow and improve. You’ll never feel like you're in this alone.

We even provide access to an internal client communication portal, streamlining the project management process and helping you stay organized. Plus, we offer an enclosed trailer lease-to-own option, ensuring that our top installers are set up for long-term success.

5. We Handle the Stress, You Handle the Decks

Our installers don’t have to worry about the stress of running a business. We handle:

Client communications
Project details
Material purchasing

This frees up your time to focus on doing what you do best—building incredible decks. And while you’re out there building, we’re making sure your cash flow is steady. Our draw payments throughout the project ensure you get paid on time, allowing you to keep your team happy and focused on the work.

6. Safety, Quality, and Professionalism Above All

Safety and professionalism are non-negotiable at All Decked Out. We’re dedicated to high standards in every project, and that commitment to excellence extends to how we treat our installers. From clear communication to prompt payments, we ensure you can work without distractions, knowing we have your back.

7. A Culture of Support and Growth

At All Decked Out, we’re more than just a group of subcontractors—we’re a team with a shared mission. Everyone here is dedicated to creating one-of-a-kind backyard living spaces for our neighbors and friends. We offer a positive, supportive culture where every installer can thrive, grow, and feel like part of something bigger.

By joining us, you’ll be part of a community that’s obsessed with quality craftsmanship, innovation, and creating "bad-ass" backyard spaces. You won’t just be an installer—you’ll be a vital part of a respected brand.

8. Steady Flow of High-Quality Leads

One of the most challenging aspects of running your own business is generating a consistent pipeline of new clients. Many solo deck builders struggle to keep a steady stream of projects coming in, which results in downtime and financial uncertainty. At All Decked Out, you’ll never have to worry about this. We take care of all the marketing and sales efforts, providing you with high-quality, pre-qualified leads. You’ll always have a steady flow of projects to keep you busy and ensure your income is consistent.

9. No Upfront Costs for Tools and Equipment

When you start your own business, the costs for tools, trailers, and equipment can be a major barrier. Many new business owners go into debt just to get off the ground. With us, we offer an enclosed trailer lease-to-own option, meaning you don’t have to worry about making large upfront investments. This allows you to focus on honing your skills and producing high-quality work, without financial strain.

10. Less Risk, More Security

Running your own business carries significant financial risks—if you don’t land enough jobs, the bills still pile up. As a subcontractor for All Decked Out, you enjoy the security of being part of an established, thriving business with a solid reputation. There’s no need to stress over making ends meet or gambling with your livelihood. Our system provides security and peace of mind, allowing you to focus on growing your craft and income without the risk of financial instability.

11. Work-Life Balance

Many business owners find themselves working long hours, even nights and weekends, just to keep up with all the demands. This often results in burnout and less time with family and friends. As a subcontractor with All Decked Out, you’re able to maintain a healthier work-life balance. With us handling all the administrative tasks, you can focus on doing great work during the day and enjoy your personal time without the stress of running a business 24/7.

12. Opportunities for Continuous Learning and Development

When you join All Decked Out, you become part of a community of deck-building professionals who are always learning and improving. We’re not just obsessed with building decks—we’re obsessed with being the best at what we do. Through collaboration, training, and sharing the latest trends, products, and techniques, you’ll continuously grow as a craftsman. The better you become, the more you’ll earn, and the more satisfied you’ll be with your work.

13. Reputation and Branding

Building your own business from the ground up means building a reputation from scratch, which can take years to establish. All Decked Out already has a trusted name, a strong reputation, and a loyal client base. By joining us, you instantly gain credibility and the backing of a company known for delivering high-quality results. Clients trust us, and as an installer, you’ll benefit from that reputation without having to invest years in branding and marketing yourself. You'll work for better clientele vs the homeowners that love to take advantage of smaller startups but say they love to support local. Hey, we are all local! We are a family owned and operated business but have the best systems in place.

14. Flexibility Without the Headaches

When you own your own business, flexibility can quickly become a double-edged sword. While you might think you're in control, the reality is that clients, paperwork, and the day-to-day operations can leave you tied up in ways you didn’t expect. With All Decked Out, you get flexibility without the headaches. As long as you can professionally communicate you dictate your own hours. You can focus on the hands-on work you love, while enjoying the freedom that comes from not having to manage every aspect of the business.

Final Thoughts: Make the Smart Move

Starting your own business might seem like the path to independence and success, but the reality is that it comes with a mountain of responsibilities, risks, and hidden costs. At All Decked Out, we believe in helping skilled installers skip the headaches of business management and get right to the good part—building amazing decks and getting paid well for it. Let’s face it, your either good at running a business or great at your craft. Very rarely do companies survive or sale trying to juggle the two. That’s why after I started my business, I thought there has to be a better way and others in our community would see the benefits. Not just for the contractor but our clients as well.

If you’re ready to be part of a winning team, grow your skills, and make more money without the stress of running a business, consider becoming a certified installer for All Decked Out. Let’s build something amazing together.