Backyard Builders in Oklahoma City: Custom Outdoor Structures for Decks, Pergolas, and Patios
Backyard Builders is a general contracting firm in Oklahoma City that specializes in designing and building custom outdoor structures, primarily decks, pergolas, pavilions, and patio covers. The company operates on a project basis rather than as a materials supplier or design-only firm, handling everything from initial consultation through final construction. They serve the greater Oklahoma City metro area and typically work on residential properties where homeowners want a structure tailored to their lot, budget, and aesthetic preferences rather than a prefabricated kit.
What Backyard Builders Actually Does
Backyard Builders takes on custom outdoor construction projects that require on-site design decisions, material selection, and skilled carpentry. A typical project involves a homeowner describing what they want (a shaded entertaining space, a deck for a second story, a covered walkway), visiting the property to assess grade, soil, sun exposure, and existing structures, then producing a design and budget estimate before breaking ground. The company builds primarily with pressure-treated lumber, composite decking materials, and metal hardware, though they can accommodate requests for cedar, cedar-aluminum hybrids, or other specialty materials at higher cost. They pull permits with Oklahoma City and Canadian County where applicable and handle inspections as part of the project scope.
Services and Pricing
Backyard Builders charges by the project, not hourly. Deck pricing typically ranges from $3,500 to $12,000 depending on square footage, height, railing type, and material grade; a basic 12-by-16 treated-lumber deck on ground level runs closer to $4,500, while a 20-by-20 composite deck eight feet high with built-in benches approaches $10,000. Pergolas and open-air pavilions start around $2,800 for a simple 12-by-12 structure and climb to $7,000 or more if the design includes electrical rough-in for ceiling fans or lighting. Patio covers (partial-shade structures that sit on a concrete pad) range from $2,200 to $5,500 for standard residential sizes. All estimates include materials and labor; customers should confirm current pricing directly, as material costs have shifted year to year. The company typically requires a 50 percent deposit to schedule the project and the remainder upon completion.
How Backyard Builders Compares to Other Oklahoma City Options
Oklahoma City residents can also hire general contractors who do outdoor structures as one of many services (such as Sunburst Construction or regional home-remodeling firms), buy prefabricated deck kits from home centers, or hire specialized deck companies that work primarily in wood versus composite. Backyard Builders' advantage lies in speed and accountability for the full project lifecycle: they manage permits, pull inspections, and stand behind the work with a one-year structural warranty. A homeowner choosing a multi-service general contractor may wait longer between initial contact and construction start but could bundle an outdoor structure with interior remodeling. A prefabricated kit saves money upfront but requires the homeowner to hire separate crews for foundation work, electrical, and finishing details. Deck-only specialists in the OKC area tend to bid lower on standard 16-by-20 composite decks but charge premium labor rates for complex designs; Backyard Builders' pricing falls in the middle of that spectrum and works well for projects that include multiple structure types in one yard.
Who This Suits and Who It Does Not
Backyard Builders is ideal for homeowners who have a clear vision but lack the skills or time to oversee multiple subcontractors, or for projects that require engineering (a second-story deck, a structure on steep terrain, or coordination with utilities underground). It also suits people who value a single point of contact and want the contractor to manage permit delays. It is not the right fit for someone seeking the absolute lowest price on a simple ground-level deck (a handyman or smaller operator may underbid), nor for those who need only design or material advice without construction labor. Homeowners in Norman, Edmond, or Mustang may need to confirm service area before calling.
What the First Visit Involves
An initial consultation is free and typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. The contractor walks the property, takes measurements, discusses how the space will be used (entertaining, dining, quiet retreat), examines sunlight and drainage patterns, and listens to style preferences. The homeowner receives a verbal estimate range the same day and a detailed written estimate within three to five business days. The estimate includes a timeline (usually four to eight weeks from signed contract to completion, depending on permit processing and material delivery) and a specification sheet listing dimensions, materials, fasteners, and finish details.
Hours, Parking, and Logistics
Backyard Builders operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with job sites typically worked during standard daylight hours. There is no office storefront; consultations take place at the homeowner's property. Once a project is booked, the construction crew arrives on the agreed schedule and works until the structure is complete; homeowners should expect noise, dust, and temporary loss of use of the backyard during the build phase. Parking for the construction vehicle and material staging is required on or very near the property; confirm available space during the initial consultation.
Backyard Builders fills the gap between big remodeling firms and backyard handymen, offering licensed expertise and permit accountability for a custom outdoor structure that fits an Oklahoma City property's specific conditions and the owner's social style.
