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Deck scope, permit and design before contract checklist

A pre-contract checklist for defining deck or porch size, height, loads, roof or enclosure, stairs and guards; confirming property setbacks, easements, utilities and septic constraints; determining attached versus freestanding support; documenting existing house framing and cladding; obtaining approved structural and water-management details; specifying wood species, treatment, corrosion environment, connectors and fasteners; assigning permits, inspections, demolition, hidden-damage allowances, electrical and finish work; and comparing equivalent bids before signing.

6 items to check

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Dimensions, elevation, occupancy, concentrated loads and future equipment are defined

Critical item

Design loads should reflect actual use and additions.

Setbacks, easements, utilities, drainage, septic and access constraints are verified

Critical item

Site conflicts should be resolved before excavation.

Attached or freestanding load path and house conditions are documented

Critical item

A ledger is not suitable for every wall or cladding condition.

Framing, decking, treatment, connectors, fasteners and corrosion protection are specified

Critical item

Compatible materials should be selected as a system.

Permit, inspections, engineering, electrical and property approvals are assigned

Critical item

Required approvals should be scheduled before irreversible work.

Demolition, hidden damage, siding, flashing, finishes, cleanup, warranty and changes are priced transparently

Critical item

Bids should be comparable and control uncertainty.

Use before accepting a proposal. Prescriptive deck provisions have limits; unusual spans, roofs, hot tubs, masonry veneers, cantilevers, poor soils or existing damage may require engineering. Do not enter unsupported excavations, work below suspended framing, climb incomplete structures, load unbraced decks, remove shoring or test guards by hazardous body loading. Structural changes, ledgers, stairs, guards, electrical work and elevated porches require appropriate design, permits and qualified construction.

Reference standards

  • Locally adopted residential and building requirements, authority having jurisdiction permits and inspection sequence, approved plans and engineering where required, site and soil conditions, property and utility constraints, selected wood, steel, concrete, connector, fastener, flashing, membrane, decking, guard and railing instructions, and signed scope and changes
  • Applicable adopted residential deck provisions and approved structural design

    • Tools

  • Approved plans, site survey, permit, product approvals, connector and fastener schedule, material receipts, inspection records and photographs
  • Tape measure, level, camera, string line and owner-safe observation tools; qualified layout, soil, concrete, torque, moisture and structural measurements where needed
  • Qualified designer or engineer, excavator, concrete, framing, waterproofing, electrical and inspection professionals as applicable

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