The Deck Beside the Oak

The July sun was relentless the day we broke ground for Janna’s new deck. It looked like a straightforward job on paper — a ground-level build tucked beside a massive oak tree, framed in strong 2x10s to span the space she wanted. But, like many homes in Central Pennsylvania, the land had its secrets.

The first shovelful of dirt told us this job wasn’t going to be easy. Beneath the surface lay decades of history: chunks of concrete, buried rock, even the ghost of an old septic tank long forgotten. Each strike of the shovel felt like the earth was throwing us another curveball.

Garrett wondering why he ever took this job

The oak tree loomed over the project, its roots sprawling in every direction, refusing to give up ground. We had to respect it — weaving the deck’s footings around those roots without compromising structure or safety. At times, it felt more like a standoff than a build.

The surprises forced us to change course more than once. We shifted the deck’s footprint, rethought the layout, and eventually brought in heavy equipment to muscle through the obstacles. Every new challenge tested our patience, but quitting was never on the table.

A Massive Root System Added Complexity

Taking a break in the excavation

The Completed Rough Frame

When the dust finally settled and the last board was fastened down, what stood in Janna’s backyard wasn’t just a deck — it was proof that persistence pays off.

Here’s how she put it herself in her review:

“Smego Construction will figure out how to get the job done! Nothing ever goes as planned at my house (which is older). They took every curveball & hit it out of the park. Cost was reasonable. Almost everyone else was more expensive despite the fact that we already had the decking. It took a little longer than expected because of said curveballs but that wasn't on them. Mike was a great guy to work with! Very professional!”

The truth is, not all ground-level decks are simple. Sometimes the job fights back. But if you’ve got the grit to stick it out — and the know-how to adapt — you can still deliver something that will stand strong for years to come.