1. Decide how you’ll use the space.
List what needs a place on your deck: a dining table, lounge chairs, planting, or a clear route into the garden. Think about the door swing and where people will walk when the furniture is in use. Approximate dimensions and a few photos help make the first conversation concrete.
2. Look at the whole site.
Note the deck’s height, slope, access from the street, existing landscaping, and anything below the proposed deck. If you’re replacing a deck, describe its condition. Don’t assume an existing structure can be reused without assessment.
3. Compare the complete scope.
A useful estimate considers more than square footage. Materials, foundation and framing, stairs, railings, removal of an old deck, site access, and permit or design work can all affect the project. Ask what is included and which items need further review.
4. Check the right permit authority.
Seattle identifies decks more than 18 inches above the ground, roof decks, and decks in environmentally critical areas as requiring permits. The property and design can create other requirements, so a low deck is not automatically exempt from every rule.
Review Seattle SDCI’s current deck guidance and confirm what applies to your address before construction. Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Sammamish, Gig Harbor, and other cities have their own processes. Your mailing city does not always identify the permitting jurisdiction.
5. Discuss timing before choosing a date.
Scope, material availability, design decisions, permits, and scheduling shape the timeline. Share your preferred timing, especially if you have an event in mind, and ask for project-specific expectations.
Your first-call checklist
- Project city and address
- Approximate deck size and height
- New deck or replacement
- Photos of the current space
- Material preferences, budget, and desired timing
Permit guidance reviewed September 12, 2026. The local permitting authority determines current requirements for your project.