Exterior envelope
Siding, windows, doors, insulation, gutters and exterior paint, planned together around how water sheds and where it gets in.
Residential
Decks and outdoor living in Kitsap
Decks, covered porches, fences, walks and planting beds, built for a wet climate with proper footings, flashing and drainage.
Who this is for
This service is for owners who want to use the yard: a deck off the kitchen, a covered porch, a fence for the dog or the view, a walkway, planting beds, a lawn that drains. Outdoor work in this climate is mostly about water, so we spend as much time on flashing, drainage and footings as on the surface you see.
What's included
- A site visit to look at slope, drainage, trees, sun and how the space connects to the house
- Footings, posts and framing sized for the deck height and the soil
- Ledger attachment and flashing where a deck meets the house
- Decking, railings, stairs and lighting in the materials you choose
- Covered porches and roofs tied into the house roof where wanted
- Fences and gates, from a few runs to a full perimeter
- Landscaping: beds, lawn refresh, walks and drainage
- Permit coordination where the project needs it, and a walkthrough
How the work runs
Step 1: Site visit
We look at slope, drainage, existing structure and how you want to use the space.
Step 2: Design and materials
Footings, framing and surface are chosen together, because the material sets the framing.
Step 3: Permit check
Whether a permit is needed depends on height and attachment, and we confirm with your authority.
Step 4: Footings and frame
Footings first, then posts, beams, joists and the flashing where the deck meets the house.
Step 5: Surface and finish
Decking, railing, stairs and lighting, then a walkthrough.
On the Kitsap Peninsula
Decks in western Washington live outdoors under moss and rain for most of the year, so the details that stay out of sight decide how long they last: flashing at the ledger, footings that sit on firm soil, framing that drains and gets air, and fasteners made for treated lumber. Slopes are common on peninsula lots, and a tall deck on a slope has to be designed for the height of its posts and the stability of the ground under them.
Waterfront and bluff lots, such as those in Indianola, Hansville and Suquamish, can bring shoreline and critical-area rules into a project that looks simple from the house. Fences are shaped by property lines, setbacks and local height limits, so we ask to see survey markers before we set a post.
Landscaping is where drainage gets fixed: grading away from the house, planting beds that do not hold water against a wall, and walks that shed rain. If a deck is part of a bigger exterior project, exterior envelope covers siding, windows and flashing.
Permit guides
The office that issues the permit depends on the parcel. Start with the authority that covers yours.
What it costs
The Estimate Desk gives planning bands for three kinds of outdoor work. A deck covers footings, frame, decking, rail and stairs, and the height above grade changes the labor. A fence is priced by linear feet with one walk gate and an optional tear-out. Landscaping covers a lawn refresh, beds and a walk, and does not cover walls, drain fields or driveways. Each is a planning band, not a bid.
What moves the price: height and size for a deck, the material you choose, the stairs and railing, the length and type of a fence, and the slope and drainage on the site. Ledger flashing and a hot tub are not in the deck band and are priced separately.
Price it first
The Estimate Desk gives a planning band, not a bid. A site visit sets the number.
Questions about this work
Do I need a permit for a deck?
It depends on the height and on whether the deck attaches to the house. Taller decks and those tied to a house are the ones that usually need one. Each city and Kitsap County sets its own details, so we confirm with the authority for your address.
Should I choose composite or wood decking?
Wood costs less up front and needs regular cleaning and sealing in a wet climate. Composite costs more and needs less upkeep. Both depend on correct framing, flashing and drainage underneath, which matters more than the surface material.
How tall can my fence be?
Height limits are set locally and often differ between front and back yards and near property lines. We check the limits for your address and ask to see survey markers before we set posts, since a fence on the wrong side of a line is hard to fix.
How do I keep a deck from rotting?
Start with flashing where it meets the house, footings that keep posts off the ground, and framing that drains and dries. Keep the surface clean of moss and debris. Most deck rot starts where water sits, so details at the ledger and at joints matter most.
Can you build a covered porch or a roof over my deck?
Yes. A roof over a deck is a structural addition: footings, posts and beams are sized for roof and snow loads, and the roof must tie into the house without leaks. It is priced from plans, since it is more than a deck.
Can you replace just the surface of my deck?
Yes, if the framing is sound. We check the joists, the ledger and the footings first. Putting new decking over rotted framing wastes the investment, so we tell you what we find before you decide.
Is a hot tub included in the deck band?
No. A hot tub is heavy and needs a structure designed for the load, plus electrical work. It is priced separately from plans, not from the Estimate Desk band.
Talk with us about decks and outdoor
Call Ian Laughlin at (206) 226-1988, or send the details and we will set up a site visit.