Permit granted!
Before I get into the real topic — decks and permits — a quick note: we’ve had a lot of readers tell us they didn’t realize we also keep a behind-the-scenes family blog called Young House Life. We started it almost a year ago, and it’s where we share snapshots of our messy home, silly moments, family life beyond renovations, and lots of photos of Burger and Clara. We usually post several times a week and you can find that content by clicking “Life” under our site header or the “Our Family Blog” button in the sidebar. Topics range from the Kool-Aid man and traveling with a toddler to left-handed quirks, kid talk, The Hunger Games, and Clara’s dance moves.
Case in point: today’s family post shows what we did over Memorial Day weekend, complete with a photo of Sherry on a carousel, me trying to show off a bit of swagger, and a short video of Clara enjoying some boardwalk rides.
We only mentioned Young House Life briefly last summer when we redesigned the main site, so that may be why it slipped under some readers’ radars — sorry about that! Now, back to the deck. I have to admit I was nervous about this project. The idea of attaching a structure to our house that must support people made me a little uneasy. It helped that the deck will be just a few feet off the ground and not a second-story deck, but the need for a permit and the county’s inspections added to the stress. Still, the good news is: the permit came through, and work is officially allowed to begin.
Our process began by deciding what we wanted. I sketched a Photoshop mockup and we chose wood decking over composite. That gave us a clear direction to start planning.
My rough doodle wasn’t enough for the county’s permit requirements, so after several attempts to draw plans myself and a lot of reading through the county’s how-to guide, I decided to get professional help. We’ve had good experiences in the past with Home Depot and a local lumber supplier, so I reached out to both Home Depot’s Pro Desk and 84 Lumber to compare planning services and estimates.
I started at Home Depot, bringing our measurements to the Pro Desk. The associate used their design software and asked specific questions about footings and attachments, which made my prior research useful. In about 20 minutes they produced a detailed plan and estimate I could take to the county for a permit. The plan even listed the cuts and materials, and they were willing to revise it when I asked for changes — including converting a freestanding design into one attached to the house to avoid extra post holes. They also prepared a cost comparison between composite and pressure-treated wood, which helped finalize our material choice.
84 Lumber handled things a bit differently. The local store directed me to their central design team, so I submitted measurements and photos through an online form. Within a couple of days they emailed back a plan. It wasn’t as visually detailed as Home Depot’s printout, but the approach felt straightforward and practical. My contact at 84 was responsive to email questions and made requested revisions quickly. What sealed the decision for us was price and expertise: 84’s plan was roughly $400 less to execute, and as a lumber specialist they felt like the natural choice for a wood-heavy project. Their regional wood sourcing also reassured us on safety and local availability.
With two printed copies of the 84 plan, I gathered the paperwork the county’s website listed — and a few extras just in case. I opted for the in-person walk-through permit process, which promised same-day approval. I admit I pictured a formal interrogation, so I even dressed up a bit for the visit (shirt tucked in, no tennis shoes). In reality the office was straightforward: I checked in, filled out a form, waited, and tried to focus on a House Hunters episode in the waiting room to calm my nerves.
Before my imagination could run away with me, the building office handed over the permit with a smile: “you’re free to begin work.” I was surprised at how smooth it went. I’m still cautious about the required inspections down the line, but getting the permit was a huge confidence boost. Sherry, Clara, and Burger even did a celebratory dance when I got home with the paperwork.
I’ve ordered the materials from 84 and we’ll start by taking down the old balcony as soon as the lumber arrives. Demolition is first — weather permitting — and then we’ll move into framing, footings, decking, and eventually sealing. We plan to use an eco-friendly sealer for extra safety around Clara and Burger, and I’ll share more about that research later.
Have you gone through the deck permit process? Any tips, cautionary tales, or inspection stories you’d share? And for the record, did I overdress for my permit appointment, or was it appropriate for looking like someone who can actually build a deck?