Decks
A good deck is mostly about the parts that hold people up: footings, the connection to the house, and guards and stairs that are the right height and strength. We build those to the code and let the boards be the easy part.
Occupied or vacant homes This is exterior work, so it is fine while you live in the home.
What's included
- Footings and framing
- Ledger connection to the house, or a freestanding design
- Stairs and guards
- Decking in wood or composite
- Permit drawings, permit and inspections
The permit, in general
Permit: Yes, typically
- Zoning
- Setbacks; docks/shoreline add water-management / county review
- Usually needed
- Site plan · Deck framing plan (FBC-R / span tables or engineered) · Guard and stair details · Notice of Commencement (generally over $2,500; a copy is due to the building department before the first inspection over $5,000)
- Inspections
- Footings · Framing / ledger attachment · Final (guards, stairs)
General Florida Building Code practice, not your building department's answer: the building department decides. Your city or the county may publish a different list. Check your address for its published checklist and sources.
Questions people ask
Wood or composite?
Both work in Florida. Composite costs more up front and asks less of you later; pressure-treated wood costs less and needs regular care. We price both if you are undecided.
Can it go on the lake side?
A deck on land can. A dock or anything over the water is marine work with its own permits and often a marine specialty contractor, so we will tell you who handles that.
Do I need a railing?
Guards are generally required once a walking surface is a certain height above grade. The height and strength rules come from the Florida Building Code, and the inspector checks them.
What helps us price it
None of it is required to start. Anything you can send saves a round of questions.
- Photos of where it will go
- Rough size and height off the ground
- Wood or composite (or "not sure")
- Your survey, if you have it