Permission granted!

Before diving into the deck and permit details this post covers, we want to mention our family/personal blog, Young House Life, which we started nearly a year ago. If you’re curious about behind-the-scenes life—photos of our messy house, silly moments, family updates, and plenty of Clara and Burger—you’ll find that content there. We post a few times a week on a variety of topics, from childhood quirks and traveling with a toddler to pop-culture moments and everyday life.

For example, today’s Young House Life update shows what we did over Memorial Day weekend, including a photo of Sherry enjoying a carousel, me attempting to look cool, and a short video of Clara on boardwalk rides. We mentioned the family blog briefly last summer when we redesigned the site, but apparently that wasn’t a clear introduction, so consider this your official invitation to check it out if you haven’t yet.

Now, back to the deck. I’ll be honest: designing and attaching a structure to our house that must support people made me nervous. Even though it’s only a few feet above ground, the thought of a deck done improperly is unnerving. Because decks can be risky when not built correctly, the county’s permitting process felt particularly important. It requires documentation and at least a couple of inspections, so getting the permit was a big relief. This post explains how we got to that point and what we learned along the way.

The project began with deciding what we wanted. I made a rough Photoshop sketch and we settled on wood decking after weighing options. My doodle wasn’t nearly enough to submit for a permit, so I dug into the county’s guide for deck permits. After several reads and plenty of Googling, the requirements started to make sense, but drafting an acceptable plan proved challenging. After a few false starts, Sherry suggested seeking professional help from two places we trusted for past projects: Home Depot and Southside Builder Supply. SBS referred us to 84 Lumber for lumber-focused expertise, while Home Depot offered in-store planning support. We decided to try both to compare plans and estimates.

At Home Depot, I took measurements to the Pro Desk and had a plan and cost estimate drafted. The associate used planning software and asked questions about footings and attachments, which validated the research I’d done first. In about 20 minutes they produced a comprehensive deck design they recommended for permit application. The plan even listed the wood cuts and included an option comparing composite to pressure-treated wood, which helped confirm our material choice. I appreciated the in-person interaction and their willingness to revise the design when I requested changes.

84 Lumber handles deck plans through their central office, so my interactions were primarily by phone and email. I submitted my sketches and photos through their online form; in a couple of days they returned a plan that felt straightforward and practical. It wasn’t as granular as the Home Depot version, but it aligned better with what we wanted, and the estimate was about $400 less overall. Their responsiveness and regional lumber sourcing made their proposal attractive, especially since they specialize in lumber-heavy projects.

Ultimately we chose 84 Lumber because their plan fit our needs and budget. Their proposal also assured us that the wood would meet safety standards. We plan to use an eco-friendly sealer for added protection, especially with Clara and Burger around, but we’ll share more about that decision later once we’ve researched options.

With two printed copies of the 84 plan in hand, I gathered the documents our county required for a permit application and a few extras, just in case. After speaking with the county’s Office of Building Inspection, we opted to try the walk-through process to obtain a permit in person that same day. I admit I pictured a formal or intimidating process and even dressed up a little for the occasion—shirt tucked in, not in tennis shoes—thinking it might help. In reality the experience was straightforward: I filled out a form, spoke to reception, waited briefly, and then a staff member handed me the permit and said we were free to begin work.

Receiving that piece of paper felt like a big milestone. I’m still mindful of the inspections to come, but getting the permit gave us the confidence to move forward. Sherry, Clara, Burger, and I celebrated when I came home with it. I’ve ordered materials from 84 Lumber and we’re preparing to remove the old balcony as the first step. Demolition was supposed to start today, but rain delayed us—here’s hoping for better weather tomorrow.

Has anyone else navigated a permit process for a home project? Any tips, war stories, or advice you’d share? Also, did I overdress for the permit appointment, or was that outfit a modest blend of professionalism and DIY readiness?