About Derek
More Than 36 Years of Building Decks.
A Lifetime of Building Places Where Families Gather.
For more than three decades, I've been helping homeowners throughout the Portland metro area transform their backyards into places they'll enjoy for years to come. While I've built hundreds of custom decks, every project still begins the same way-with a conversation.
I don't start by asking how large you want your deck.
I start by asking how you want to live.
Will it become the place where your grandchildren play every summer? A quiet retreat for your morning coffee? A backyard built for weekend barbecues, family celebrations, or evenings around the fire pit?
Those answers shape every decision that follows.
To me, a deck isn't simply another home improvement project. It's an extension of your home and the backdrop for countless memories. That's why I believe thoughtful planning, quality craftsmanship, and attention to detail matter just as much as the materials we build with.
Built One Project at a Time
When I started D.W. Hart Woodworking
more tan so years do, i made a decision that still guides the company today.
I would never become the biggest deck builder in Portland.
Instead, I wanted to become the builder homeowners confidently recommend to their friends and neighbors.
That means we intentionally stay small.
Rather than managing multiple crews spread across dozens of job sites, I remain personally involved in every project from the initial consultation through the final walkthrough.
When you hire D.W. Hart Woodworking, you're hiring the person whose name is on the truck.
What Experience Has Taught Me
The best deck isn't always the biggest one. Sometimes moving a staircase just a few feet creates a much better flow through the backyard. Sometimes choosing a different railing opens a beautiful view that was previously hidden. Sometimes a slightly different layout creates better entertaining space while lowering the overall project cost.
Those aren't decisions you'll find in a blueprint. They're lessons that only come from years of building decks, solving problems, and listening to homeowner.
Craftsmanship That Lasts
Beautiful decks begin long before the first board is installed.
Strong foundations. Proper footings. Accurate framing. Careful drainage. Quality fasteners. Thoughtful stair design. Clean transitions.
Attention to every detail that most people will never notice-but that determines how well your deck performs ten or twenty years from now.
Whether we're building with cedar, composite decking, or pressure-treated lumber, our goal remains the same: Build it correctly. Build it safely. Build it to last.
Helping Homeowners Make the Right Decisions
We'll talk about materials. Maintenance. Railing styles. Privacy. Sun exposure. Traffic flow. Future maintenance costs. How the deck connects to your home. How you'll move through your yard. How your family will actually use the space.
Sometimes the best advice I give has nothing to do with building more. It's helping you avoid spending money where it won't improve your project.
I'd rather build the right deck than simply build a bigger one.
A Family Tradition
One of the greatest rewards of my career has been working alongside my son, Wyatt.
Watching him develop the same respect for craftsmanship, honesty, and attention to detail reminds me why I started this business in the first place.
Our customers know exactly who will be building their project. The same familiar faces who meet with you during the planning process are the people you'll see throughout construction.
Why We Stay Small
People occasionally ask why we don't hire several crews and expand.
The answer is simple. The quality of our work depends on being personally involved.
I enjoy solving problems. I enjoy talking with homeowners.
I enjoy making sure every detail is completed the way I'd want it done on my own home.
Growing larger would mean giving up the very part of the work l enjoy most. That's a trade I'm not willing to make.
Let's Build Something You'll Enjoy for Years
A deck is more than lumber and hardware. It's where birthdays are celebrated. Where friends gather on warm summer evenings. Where grandchildren chase bubbles across the boards. Where quiet mornings begin with a cup of coffee.
Those moments deserve thoughtful planning and careful craftsmanship.
If you're considering a new custom deck, I'd enjoy hearing about your project, answering your questions, and helping you create an outdoor space your family will enjoy for decades to come.