BLACK,RUSSELL Project

residential in Kalama, WA

James Hurula Construction completed a meaningful structural rebuild for a customer looking to transform an aging elevated deck into a safe, beautiful, and lasting outdoor space. The existing deck had reached the end of its useful life, and this project represented a fresh start — with engineered design, permitted construction, and quality materials guiding every decision. The team approached the work carefully from the very beginning.

Scope of Work

James Hurula Construction will mask and protect the work area below the ceiling

opening before beginning work. Floor and nearby surfaces will be covered as

practical to help contain dust and debris during cutting, access, drywall repair,

sanding, texture, and paint work. The existing ceiling opening will be cut back to a

clean square, not to exceed approximately 2 feet by 2 feet, to provide a neat repair

area and adequate access around the chimney pipe.

With the ceiling open, blocking will be installed between the existing ceiling

joists at the pipe, and the chimney pipe will be braced so that it is independently

supported and secure. Support will be installed to maintain required clearance to

combustibles based on visible site conditions.

New drywall will then be cut, fit, and fastened to the opening flush with the

existing ceiling plane, taped, mudded, and sanded to a finished surface. Texture

will be applied to the patched area and worked to blend with the surrounding

ceiling. The patched area will be painted using paint supplied by the Owner. The

work area will be cleaned and debris removed upon completion.

Before

These early photos captured the existing conditions of the deck structure, including the aging framing, beam-to-post connections, and areas that needed careful attention before rebuilding could begin. A thorough understanding of what was in place was the foundation for doing the work right.

Additional Work

Building on the structural foundation already in place, James Hurula Construction also furnished and installed a beautiful RDI cable railing system to complete the deck's finished look. Before a single post was set, the team carefully verified the installation area — confirming post layout, attachment points, clearances, and substrate conditions to ensure everything ran straight, secure, and true. It was the kind of detail-oriented preparation that reflected the same craftsmanship that guided every other aspect of this project.

Project Gallery

• Wooden railing on upper deck with vertical slats.
• View of beams and vertical slats underneath the deck.
• Under-deck storage with trash cans and wooden beams overhead.
• Measuring tape against a wooden post for height assessment.
• Wooden beam meeting exterior wall with visible gaps.
• Installing composite decking with a power drill on a frame.
• Newly constructed deck framing supports attached to the house.
• Deck framing in place, awaiting decking material installation.
• Completed
• Completed
• Completed
• Completed
• Completed

James Hurula Construction saw this project through with the attention to detail and structural integrity that the customer deserved, and the finished deck is a space built to last for years to come.

About the contractor

James Hurula Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor (JAMESHC764LM) based in Kalama, serving Longview, Kelso, Castle Rock, Kalama, Woodland, Cathlamet, Vancouver, Battle Ground and Ridgefield. Thirty years of field experience, owner on site. Electrical and plumbing go to licensed trades. The carpentry is mine.

Phone: (360) 431-9382. Address: 200 Confer Rd, Kalama, WA 98625. Free project sketch.