Deck Permits, Materials & Budget: A Deck Contractor’s Checklist

  • 03 Jul 2025

Planning a new deck? Whether you’re dreaming of a serene backyard oasis or a sprawling outdoor living area, it takes more than a collection of design concepts to make it happen. From permits to material choices and budget, there are things the professional deck contractor does that you should do.

Following is a comprehensive and helpful checklist created particularly to assist homeowners in obtaining a good idea of all the significant factors that are engaged in the successful implementation of a deck project. Moreover, it emphasizes the need to hire a professional contractor because their experience can make or break the success of the project.

1. Deck Permits

One of the most frequently neglected but entirely required aspects of the installation process of a deck is to make sure that the right permits are obtained before any actual building occurs. Without the right license, it can lead to a myriad of serious issues, ranging from potentially expensive fines to substantial setbacks in your project schedule or even the worst-case scenario of having to demolish the building itself.

What Are The Steps Needed To Get A Permit?

  • Submitting comprehensive and intricate design plans, along with thorough property surveys, is essential for the project.
  • Making sure that the deck meets local building codes
  • Discussing structural safety, delays, and height limitations
  • Pre and after-construction scheduling of inspections

A very competent deck contractor, like FenceMaster, is well equipped to deal with this whole process with maximum care from the start to the finishing touches at the end. With their excellent and deep knowledge of local codes and specifications particular to places like San Carlos, Redwood City, and other surrounding towns, they will ensure your deck project is completely by all specifications so you can have a hassle-free and trouble-free experience throughout the whole project.

Best Decking Materials

2. Selecting the Best Decking Materials for Your Project

The decking materials you choose determine it all—everything from maintenance and longevity to price and appearance. Your skilled contractor will guide you through your choices, ensuring you select the best materials for your climate and lifestyle.

Most Popular and Most Used Decking Materials:

  • Pressure-Treated Wood: Inexpensive and readily available, but needs to be sealed/stained frequently.
  • Cedar or Redwood: Naturally resistant to rot and insects; beautiful and eco-friendly, though more expensive than treated wood.
  • Composite Decking: Made from reclaimed wood and plastic, it is maintenance-free, durable, and ideal for those who desire a sleek appearance with little upkeep.
  • Hardwoods (such as Ipe): Very weather-resistant and very hardy, but need to be installed using special equipment and expertise.

Don’t forget the “add-ons” such as railing systems, lighting, staircases, and under-deck skirting—these all come into play on your material list and budget.

3. Budget Planning

Creating a realistic and achievable budget is one of the first steps—and certainly one of the most important parts—of planning for your deck. Knowing the significance of this step is important to set the stage for the whole project. A good and seasoned contractor will provide you with a clear and specific estimate that includes the following components:

  • Engineering and design plans
  • Material and labor costs
  • Permit and inspection fees
  • Debris clearing and removal
  • Optional add-ons or bespoke options

Professional Tips Towards Successful Budgeting:

Include a budget for a 10–15% contingency for unforeseen expenses such as soil problems, code revisions, or design revisions that the client might require. It’s worth having everything put in writing—a quality and reputable contractor will have a good draft proposal and a clearly defined scope of work in place from the beginning.

Don’t go for the lowest bid—select a balance between reasonable cost and established quality.

It should be mentioned that an investment in good-quality material, as much as in experienced and skilled labor at this juncture, will, in the long term, save you from shelling out for expensive repairs and maintenance later.

4. The Scheduling and Timeline Development Process

Depending on the exact scope and character of your particular project, the construction period of a deck may have a timespan of anywhere from a simple few days to several weeks. Certain factors can significantly affect and influence the general completion duration, including:

  • The extent and intricacy of the deck.
  • Atmospheric conditions and considerations
  • Permit waiting times should be allowed.
  • Availability of material

FenceMaster is dedicated to the plan of making each and every one of their projects not only scheduled efficiently but actually completed on schedule—this is accomplished without sacrificing the high-quality standards for which they are renowned. Their extremely experienced crews have open and transparent lines of communication throughout the process, so you will never be left in the dark or wondering about what is being accomplished on your project.

5. Hiring the Services of a Trustworthy and Dependable Contractor

Even if you’re a DIYer, paying a licensed, insured, and experienced contractor to build your deck means it’ll be built to last—and be ready for you to enjoy. From finding your way through local codes to choosing quality materials and meeting deadlines, a good contractor removes the guesswork and stress from it for you.

With hundreds of installations under their belt, FenceMaster is the firm homeowners in San Carlos, Redwood City, and the surrounding areas call on to have custom decks built. Their one-on-one method of working and strict attention to detail ensure that each deck they make is not only beautiful but also built to all building codes.

Are you ready and willing to start your deck project?

Regardless of whether you are constructing a new deck from the ground up or whether you are installing upgrades and improvements to an existing deck, it is highly beneficial to have professionals who have an excellent understanding of all that is involved with the design, the permits that are needed, various materials, and budgeting that pays.

FenceMaster is your single-stop expert in offering customized wooden gates, fencing, and decking solutions tailored to clients based in San Carlos, Redwood City, and other nearby cities. From the initial consultation to the final walkthrough of the finished project, FenceMaster ensures that every step of the process is hassle-free and smooth, so you get to experience hassle-free convenience from start to finish.

Call FenceMaster today to arrange a free consultation, and we can transform your backyard into a lively and welcoming space—with a deck that will stand the test of time.