Building A Dream Deck in the Catskills

Need a deck built in the Catskills? We've got your guy.

At 60 feet wide and 15 feet deep, our gigantic deck spans the length of our double-wide. It has a vaulted roof, which is wired with an overhead light and ceiling fan. Safety features include kid-safe railings (way safer than the deck on our old place, which several people and dogs fell through) and locking gates on both ends. The floorboards are laid tightly but drain quickly. The photos in this post were taken moments after a torrential rainstorm.

We bought our mobile home from Stephen Baker at Moore's Homes. When we told him we needed to add on a really big deck, he referred us to his son, John, who has since become one of our all-time favorite people. Based in Prattsville, he's a boisterous, bear-like guy, and he's our go-to for any Catskills-related questions, from bar recommendations to landscaping needs. As John Baker and his efficient crew hammered our deck together, he continually reminded me of the wild parties we soon be able to host on it. He's the kind of person who makes you want to start planning a giant barbecue, just so you can invite him.

John Baker builds beautiful decks, and I think these pictures speak for themselves. But here's the thing: He doesn't have a website or even a Facebook page, which isn't totally unusual for a small business up in the mountains. You can in touch with me here or message me on my Facebook page for his contact info, or you can reach him via his dad's business, Moore's Homes. Tell them Brooklyn DoubleWide sent you.