At the Lake of the Ozarks, the cliffs, crags and winding waters create a stunning backdrop — but they also add an extra layer of challenge when building decks and outdoor spaces. The Lake’s beautiful yet demanding terrain requires experience and outside-the-box thinking, and the team at Hulett Construction says they love it that way!
Specializing in custom deck construction and with more than three decades of experience, Hulett Construction strives to find the best way to accomplish the job while looking for ways to save their customers unnecessary costs. As owner, Robert Hulett brings both experience and creativity to Lake properties where no two projects look the same.
Need a deck for your Lake home or does your existing deck need repair to get ready for summer? Give Hulett Construction a call at 573-424-5744 or reach out through their website at HulettDecks.com today.
Hulett grew up in construction alongside his father and has been on job sites since he was 10 years old. “I enjoy helping people get things fixed,” he said. That early start led to a 30-plus-year career in the industry, including time as a subcontractor before launching his own construction company 15 years ago.
Helping People
But construction is really just half of the story. Hulett also runs an MMA gym in Columbia. “I have pro kickboxers, pro MMA fighters, pro boxers, as well as amateurs at my gym,” Hulett said. While the gym took first priority for a few years, Hulett continued doing construction on the side and in the summer. But when COVID shut down many businesses, he decided to ramp up his construction business to provide jobs for his gym clients who couldn’t find work.
Soon after, his friend at the Lake, David Taylor, gave Hulett a call saying he had lots of work but needed some help. Hulett decided to partner with Taylor and brought his crew to the Lake of the Ozarks.
Today, about 70 percent of his work centers on decks, but Hulett Construction also builds garages, re-decks docks, and in the winter months they take-on projects like remodeling bathrooms.
Building On The Ozark Slopes
When Hulett first began working at the Lake six years ago, the steep terrain was an adjustment. “My guys would say, ‘Holy moly, you want me to do that at this height!?’” Hulett said with a laugh. He says it took about a year to fully get used to the unique topography. Rather than relying heavily on specialty equipment that can drive up costs, his team refined techniques to work efficiently and safely without unnecessary expenses.
“Nothing is normal at the Lake,” Hulett said. “Which makes it more fun for us.”
Hulett isn’t afraid to try out-of-the-box solutions to help customers keep their project on-budget. On one project, a three-level deck had shifted down by nearly a foot due to foundation issues. The deck itself, however, was still in great shape and had plenty of life left in it. While other companies suggested tearing it out and rebuilding, Hulett’s crew saw another way. They carefully jacked the structure up, just two to three inches at a time over several days. Then they installed new posts and piers, preserving the existing wood and saving the homeowner significant cost.
Beyond the slopes, the high humidity at the Lake can shorten the life of decks, so builders have to take extra measures to fight against moisture. By using composite joists as well as joist tape, Hulett Construction gives the deck the best chance of resisting rot. “Joist tape adds a lot to the life of the deck,” he explained, “When water gets into the joists, especially where the screws go in, it can cause real destruction.”
For railings, Hulett Construction installs welded, powder-coated aluminum railings that won’t start to rattle over time like snapped-together box-store systems.
From massive stair systems and ramped walkways to dock re-decks, enclosed patios and garages, Hulett Construction handles the majority of projects in-house for greater efficiency. Most decks can be completed within one to two weeks, weather permitting.
With summer just around the corner, now is a great time to fix up the deck or have a new one installed so you can enjoy the sun and breathtaking views of the Lake.
Schedule a quote with Hulett Construction by calling 573-424-5744 or checking out their services at HulettDecks.com.
