( Services — Everett, Seattle & the Eastside )
Decks &outdoor living.
In a region that drizzles most of the year, cover is what turns a deck you use in July into one you use in February. We build both — properly engineered and properly flashed.
( 01 )
Cedar or composite
Cedar costs less up front, looks unmistakably Northwest and takes stain beautifully — and in our climate it asks for cleaning and re-sealing every year or two, forever. Composite costs more on day one and then largely ignores the rain: no sealing, no splinters, stable color. Over a fifteen-year life the total-cost math usually favors composite here; cedar wins on budget and on feel underfoot.
( 02 )
The parts that are not decking
Structure is the real cost. Height drives engineered footings and guardrails. Slope — and Seattle-area lots drop away fast — drives tall posts and deeper foundations. Railing systems, especially cable and glass, can cost as much per foot as the deck beneath them.
And the ledger, where the deck attaches to the house, is the detail behind every deck-collapse story. Flashed and fastened correctly is not optional, and it is the first thing an inspector looks at.
( 03 )
Cover changes everything
A covered deck or patio is the highest-use outdoor structure you can build in Western Washington. Roof structure, posts, often skylights or heaters — it costs more than an open deck and it multiplies the months you actually use the space. If the budget only reaches one thing, cover beats square footage here.
Typical investment
Broad Seattle-area ranges, not quotes — your written estimate is free and itemized.
| Tier | Range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar deck | $40–$75/sq ft | Framing, footings, cedar decking and railing — the Northwest classic. |
| Composite deck | $60–$110/sq ft | Low-maintenance decking, hidden fasteners, upgraded railing options. |
| Covered outdoor living | $25k–$60k+ | Roof structure, posts, lighting, heaters, sometimes outdoor kitchens. |
Decks & Outdoor Living questions
- How much does a deck cost in the Seattle area?
- Cedar typically runs $40–$75 per square foot installed and composite $60–$110. A mid-size 300 sq ft deck lands roughly $15,000–$30,000 depending on height, railing and stairs. Covered structures commonly run $25,000–$60,000+.
- Cedar or composite for Washington weather?
- Composite usually wins the fifteen-year math here because it does not need annual sealing in a wet climate. Cedar wins on up-front cost and on looking and feeling like the Northwest. Both work when the structure beneath them is built right.
- Do I need a permit for a deck?
- Most Washington cities require permits for decks above roughly 30 inches, attached to the house, or covered. Railings, footings and ledger attachment are precisely what inspectors check. We pull the permit as part of the job.
- When should I build a deck?
- Book in fall or winter and build in late winter or spring. Everyone calls in May, so summer lead times stretch. Footings and framing do not mind cool weather, and a deck finished in April gives you the whole season.
Free In-Home Estimate
Let’s talk about your place.
Free estimates across Everett, Seattle & the Eastside. You’ll talk directly to Eduard — no call centers, no sales layer.