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  • Our Services
    • Deck Building
    • Deck Repair
    • Deck Replacement
    • Deck Restoration
  • Portfolio
  • About
  • (815) 706-3325
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Co-Owner Of Hard Decks Jayme

Jayme Carlson

Hi, I’m Jayme Carlson, owner and co-founder of Hard Decks. I started this company in 2021 with my co-founder, Andy Dawley, because we saw how many homeowners were being let down by sloppy work, poor communication, and decks that did not last.

We knew homeowners deserved better. So we built Hard Decks around a simple promise: clear communication, honest updates, and craftsmanship you can count on.

When you work with us, you are not left wondering what comes next. You get a team that shows up, keeps you informed, and treats your deck like it is being built in our own backyard.

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Education

Jayme’s background started in hands-on trade work. He began as a framer, then expanded into trim carpentry and accessory work. Over time, he gained experience across different parts of home construction, learning how structure, finish work, and project details all come together.

During the 2008 economic downturn, Jayme moved into roofing sales. That season gave him valuable experience in customer communication, sales, and project management. It also shaped the way he works with homeowners today: direct, organized, and focused on making the process easier from start to finish.

Experience & Recognition

Jayme built Hard Decks to give homeowners a deck company they could actually trust from the first call to the final walkthrough.

Since starting in 2021, that promise has grown into 300+ homeowners served, 250 decks built, and 60+ 5-star reviews. Every project also comes with a 3-year workmanship warranty, so homeowners know the work is backed long after the crew leaves.

 
 
 
 

Areas of Expertise

Jayme and the Hard Decks team specialize in building, repairing, replacing, and restoring decks for homeowners who want a safer and more enjoyable outdoor space.

Their work covers deck building, deck repair, deck replacement, and deck restoration. Whether a homeowner needs a new backyard deck, a stronger existing structure, or a full replacement after years of wear, Hard Decks focuses on creating outdoor spaces that feel solid, practical, and made to last.

Every project is built around the same goal: give homeowners a deck they can trust every time family, friends, and neighbors gather outside.

A Lifelong Partnership With A Reliable Expert

Jayme’s path into Hard Decks did not start in an office. It started in the field, learning the trades, doing the work, and seeing what separates a rushed job from one built with care.

After years of working across construction, roofing sales, and project management, Jayme saw an opportunity to build something more focused. He wanted a company that specialized in decks instead of treating them like a side project.

That focus became Hard Decks. With Andy leading field operations and Jayme managing the office, sales, and marketing, the company grew around a partnership built on trust, clear roles, and a shared commitment to doing the work right.

J

Jory & Anne Wasmund

★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5

Jayme, Andrew and the Hard Decks team were very professional. They completed our deck on time and were able make changes on the spot to suit our needs and applied credits where needed based on the new plan. they also cleaned up after themselves and we are very pleased with our new deck. I would definitely recommend them.

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D

Debbie McKay

★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5

The entire process working with Hard Decks went incredibly well. The attention to quality & detail by every single team member could not have been better. My new deck exceeded my expectations! I highly recommend working with Jayme, Andy and their team.

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H

Heather Schneider

★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5

Hard Decks did a beautiful job replacing our deck as well as helping to replace the sliding doors. They were prompt, professional, courteous, and in general a great pleasure to work with. Left a very clean job site at the end of each day and when the work was complete. Overall a wonderful experience.

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Get In Touch

  • Hard Decks
  • 2415 Huntington Dr., Belvidere, IL 61008
  • +1 (815) 706-3325
  • jayme@harddecks.com
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The latest from Hard Decks

Deck Cost by Size: What Homeowners Can Expect to Pay for Small, Mid, and Large Decks

Most homeowners want one number before they read anything. Here it is. A professionally built deck in Illinois with mid-range materials runs roughly $40 to $75 per square foot, all in. Small decks sit near the top of that range. Large decks settle near the bottom.  The total bill depends on which corner of that

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May 18, 2026
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Composite vs Pressure-Treated Decking: Which Makes More Sense for Illinois Homeowners?

One is cheap to buy, one is cheap to own. Pressure-treated pine costs half as much at the lumberyard and asks for a weekend of your time every other spring.  Composite costs more on day one and then, essentially, leaves you alone for the next quarter century. Illinois weather picks the winner more than anything

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April 27, 2026
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Fortress Steel Deck Framing vs. New Castle Steel Deck Framing Compared

Both are worth it. Both beat wood by a country mile. The real question is which one fits your specific project, and that answer depends on a few things most comparison blogs never actually get into. Let’s fix that. Summary   Fortress Evolution New Castle Steel Warranty 25-year limited 25-year limited residential Fire Rating Class

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April 1, 2026
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Should You Repair or Replace Your Deck? Here’s What Actually Matters

Your deck looks rough. Boards are splitting, the stain’s gone patchy, and you’re wondering if it’s time to throw in the towel or roll up your sleeves. The answer depends on what’s happening beneath those worn boards. A fresh coat of stain might buy you a few years, but if the structure’s compromised, you’re putting

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March 24, 2026
Detailed comparison between structural steel deck framing and traditional wood joists for outdoor construction.

Steel Deck Framing vs Wood: Cost and Durability Compared

Your contractor just mentioned steel framing for your new deck, and now you’re wondering if it’s worth the extra money or just expensive overkill. You’ve heard wood framing works fine; it’s what everyone uses, so why complicate things? Here’s the deal: steel costs more upfront but might save you thousands over the deck’s lifetime. Wood

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March 17, 2026
A weathered gray composite deck with uneven, warping boards that require a professional to repair or replace deck surfaces.

Repair or Replace Deck: Essential Guide to Making the Right Choice

You’re staring at your deck wondering if it needs a facelift or a funeral. Some boards are warped, the stain’s peeling in patches, and last summer you noticed a soft spot near the stairs. Now you’re googling at 11 PM trying to figure out if you should refinish it or rip the whole thing out.

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March 4, 2026
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How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Deck

Your deck has seen better days. Maybe the boards are rotting, the railings wobble when you lean on them, or there’s that spot where your foot went through last summer. You know you need to do something, but the big question is: what’s this going to cost? Deck replacement isn’t cheap. But it doesn’t have

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February 24, 2026
A man wearing gloves and a hat uses a power drill to secure wooden planks onto a deck frame in a backyard.

Do I Need a Permit to Repair a Deck in Belvidere, IL?

You’re standing on your deck with a coffee, notice a couple of loose boards, and think, “I should fix that.” Then it hits you: do you need a permit just to replace a few planks? The short answer: it depends on the scope of your project. If you’re swapping a few boards or tightening some

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February 16, 2026
A close-up view of hollow core wood-plastic boards with a worker in the background showing how to repair composite decking using a power drill.

How to Repair Composite Decking

Composite decking promised you years of low maintenance and durability. Then life happened. Maybe you dropped something heavy and cracked a board. Perhaps chairs scraped across the surface one too many times. Now you’re staring at damage and wondering how to fix it without replacing your entire deck. The good news is that most composite

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January 16, 2026
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Proudly serving Rockford, Belvidere, Poplar Grove, and more of Illinois.

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Get In Touch

  • Hard Decks
  • 2415 Huntington Dr., Belvidere, IL 61008
  • +1 (815) 706-3325
  • contact@harddecks.com
  • Mon–Fri | 8AM–6PM

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