Top-Rated Deck Builder in Lakewood CA - Built for Ranch Homes

Nearly all of Lakewood's housing stock was built between 1950 and 1954 as part of one of the largest planned housing developments in US history. That means most homes are now over 70 years old, and any original outdoor structures, concrete pads, or attached decks from that era are well past their design life. The clay-heavy soils in this part of Los Angeles County expand and contract with the wet and dry seasons, which stresses footings and concrete flatwork over time. A contractor unfamiliar with this soil behavior can set posts that shift or crack within a few years.

The Southern California sun also hits Lakewood hard. UV exposure fades and dries out wood surfaces faster than in most of the country, and deck boards or fence pickets that have not been sealed in a few seasons tend to show it. Combine that with the mature trees that were planted on these lots 70 years ago, and you have an environment where root movement can lift footings and crack adjacent concrete. We factor all of this into how we spec footings, material choices, and drainage for every project in Lakewood.

Lakewood is a city of about 80,000 people in Los Angeles County, built almost entirely between 1950 and 1954 as one of the largest planned residential developments in American history. It shares borders with Long Beach to the south and west, Bellflower to the north, and Cerritos to the east. Though it sits directly adjacent to Long Beach and shares a similar street grid and housing style, Lakewood has been its own incorporated city since 1954 and operates entirely independent municipal services. About 60 percent of housing units are owner-occupied, giving the city a strong homeowner culture where property maintenance matters.

The housing stock is overwhelmingly one-story ranch-style homes on lots that typically run 5,000 to 6,000 square feet. Stucco exteriors and concrete driveways are standard, and the streets are shaded by mature trees planted when the development was first built - many of which are now large enough to push roots into concrete and irrigation lines. Lakewood Center near Carson Street is the city's most recognized landmark and has been a regional shopping destination since 1952. The city also became nationally known for the Lakewood Plan, a model for contract city government that was widely copied across California. For homeowners in neighboring Bellflower, we offer the same local knowledge and service.