Deck Builders in Lakewood, WA

Lakewood gives deck builders a wide mix of jobs. There are lakefront homes on American Lake, Gravelly Lake and Lake Steilacoom, neighborhoods of family houses near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and a large share of rental homes whose decks need to be safe and durable for tenants. If you are looking for deck builders in Lakewood, WA, the first thing we will ask is whether your property touches a shoreline, because that changes the permit picture.

Lakefront lots have their own rules

Lakewood's own permit brochure is specific. On shoreline properties, the deck exemption shrinks: a deck there must be no more than 18 inches high to skip a building permit. More important, the City requires a permit for any structure or new impervious surface of any size within the shoreline buffer or in a critical area or its buffer, and it says plainly that this includes decks and patios under 18 inches high. The city's planning guidance lists American Lake, Gravelly Lake, Lake Louise and Lake Steilacoom among the shoreline areas where additional standards apply.

In practice, that means a lakeside deck needs planning before design. We start by checking the property's shoreline designation and setbacks, then design within them rather than drawing first and hoping it fits.

Away from the water

On non-shoreline lots, Lakewood's brochure lists a narrower exemption similar to other cities: a deck can go without a building permit if it is not attached to a building, is under 30 inches above grade at every point, is under 200 square feet and does not serve the main entry door. Being near a critical area or its buffer can still trigger a permit to review placement. Most decks people actually want, attached off a back door, fall outside the exemption, and we handle the permit.

Rental owners and landlords

Lakewood is a majority-renter city; Census estimates for 2020 to 2024 put the owner-occupied housing rate at 47.5%. For landlords, a deck is a liability item as much as an amenity. A wobbly guard, a loose stair stringer or rotted boards can turn into a problem fast. We offer repair and replacement aimed at safety and low maintenance:

• Replacing soft or split boards and failed fasteners
• Rebuilding loose railings and stairs with solid connections
• Swapping worn wood decking for composite that does not need yearly staining
• Clear, written scopes you can keep in your property records

Military families and moves

Lakewood sits next to the McChord Field portion of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and the city counts about 6,594 veterans among its residents. Families who expect to sell or rent out a house after a few years usually want a deck that adds appeal without creating upkeep for the next owner. Composite decking, simple covered sections and well-built stairs tend to fit that goal.

Built for shaking and soggy winters

The Nisqually earthquake of February 28, 2001, a magnitude 6.8 quake centered in southern Puget Sound, damaged Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base, now part of JBLM. It is a reminder that decks here should be properly braced and tied to the house, not just set on posts. Add months of winter rain, and the details that matter most are footings, post bases, flashing at the house and decking that drains.

Covered decks and pergolas

A cover over part of the deck keeps furniture usable through the wet season and protects the decking below. On lakefront lots, a roof also adds height and footprint that shoreline review may look at, which is another reason we check designations first.

Talk to us

Call (253) 525-5245 for a free estimate. We look at the lot, the shoreline situation if there is one, and the condition of any existing deck, then give you a written quote.

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