Frequently Asked Questions

In most cases, yes. The City of Hamilton generally requires a building permit for decks above a certain height or attached to the house, and the rules can change with deck size, height off the ground, and whether it's freestanding. We'll tell you whether your project needs one and help make sure the build meets the Ontario Building Code. When you're unsure, it's always safer to confirm with the City before building.

Fences usually don't need a building permit, but Hamilton has a fence by-law that sets maximum heights (typically lower in front yards than back yards) and rules near corners and pools. We build to those by-law limits. If your situation is unusual, such as a pool enclosure, a corner lot, or a shared property line, we'll flag it and point you to the right by-law.

It depends on your budget and how much upkeep you want. Pressure-treated wood costs less up front and is the workhorse choice, but it needs periodic cleaning and re-staining/sealing to hold up to Ontario freeze-thaw. Composite costs more up front but is low-maintenance and won't rot, splinter, or need staining. We'll walk you through the trade-offs for your yard and budget rather than pushing one option.

It depends on the length of the run, the fence type, and the ground conditions, but a typical residential fence is usually a matter of days, not weeks. Setting posts in concrete needs cure time before the panels or boards go on, so we plan the schedule around that. We'll give you a realistic timeline in your written quote.

That depends on size, height, footings, and design. A straightforward backyard deck typically takes several days to a couple of weeks once we're on site, with extra time for permit approval and footing cure where required. We'll lay out the expected timeline before we start so you know what to plan around.

Our core service area is Hamilton, Ancaster, Dundas, Stoney Creek, and Grimsby. We also travel a similar radius for jobs in Brantford, Waterdown, and Burlington. We're a local Hamilton company rather than a broad-GTA operation, so if you're nearby and not sure, just ask and we'll tell you straight whether we can reach you.

Yes. The Hammer Construction is licensed and insured. You get a real written quote and a proper invoice, and the work is done above board, not an under-the-table handshake.

Yes. Excavation and machine work is a growing part of what we do, alongside our deck and fence builds. That includes site prep, grading, and ground work that supports a build. If you have an excavation or grading job in mind, get in touch and we'll tell you whether it's a fit for our equipment.

You get one clear point of contact from the first site visit through the final walkthrough, so you always know who to reach and what comes next. Every job is held to one standard, and the work is backed by a written scope and a workmanship warranty.

Quotes are free and written down. We look at the project, on site where it helps, then give you a clear written quote covering scope and materials so you know what to expect before any work begins. No verbal-only estimates, no surprise charges mid-build.