How Long Does it Take to Get a Permit for a Rooftop Deck in Washington, DC?

Posted in: Deck Permits, Deck Contractor Permits, hire a decking contractor, deck builders, building permits, deck contractors, decks in Washington, D.C., rooftop decks in Washington, DC, building a deck

James Moylan

Wednesday, December 05, 2018

logans-circle-rooftop-deck-with-archatrak-deck-tiles (7)

Building a rooftop deck in the Washington, DC, area is a great way to add style, sophistication, and value to your home, but the permit process can be challenging and, at times, frustrating. So, how long should a DC homeowner anticipate waiting for permits on a new rooftop deck construction, and what factors affect that wait time?

When Do Virginia and Maryland Homeowners Need a Building Permit?

Posted in: Screen Porch Questions, Deck Permits, Deck Building Questions, Deck Contractor Permits, deck builders, Building regulations, Contracting Questions

James Moylan

Monday, June 01, 2015

building permit bethesda maryland

Before embarking on any kind of home improvement project, homeowners often ask us whether they will need to obtain a permit. The short answer? Most likely.

Most major projects - including low-maintenance decks, custom garages, screened-in porches, and home additions - require proper permitting. The specifics vary from county to county, but most jurisdictions will slam you with a big fine if you fail to obtain a proper permit, and may even force you to tear the structure down.

Is it Worth Paying More for a Better Contractor in Washington, D.C.?

Posted in: Deck Contractor Permits, Contractor Portfolios, Contracting Questions

James Moylan

Friday, March 20, 2015

porch being built on a clear day by a deck building contractor carpenter in maryland

Cost factors for estimates by experienced contractors versus discount builders in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

In a previous post, we discussed the how contractors determine the prices they charge for home improvement jobs. They generally break their estimate figures into thirds between (1) materials, (2) labor, and (3) overheads and profit. Why, then, do so-called design build firms and other higher quality contractors oftentimes offer higher initial estimates than their discount competitors? Are they simply charging more money for comparable work?

What to Expect from Your Premium Decking Contractor

Posted in: Deck Building Tips, Deck Building Questions, Deck Contractors License, Deck Contractor Permits, hire a decking contractor, deck builders

James Moylan

Friday, February 20, 2015

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You’ve decided to hire a decking contractor. Congratulations! Enlisting a seasoned professional is the first step towards finding someone who you can partner with to help bring your dream deck into fruition.

Things get get messy however when you're deciding on who to actually employ. After all, not only will this person be charged with creating an important addition to your home, they’ll be spending a lot of time on your property and working with you to give updates and receive feedback as needed.

Make Sure Your Decking Contractor Is Licensed in Virginia

Posted in: Decks in Maryland, Decks in Virginia, Deck Contratcors, Deck Permits, Deck Building Tips, Deck Building Questions, Deck Tips, Deck Contractors License, Deck Contractor Permits, Deck Contractors Insured

James Moylan

Saturday, October 18, 2014

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Why Your Decking Contractor Needs to be Licensed in Virginia

Before hiring a contractor to work on your decking project in Virginia, you’ll need to make sure that they’re licensed in the state. If you hire someone who isn’t properly licensed, you’ll likely hit a road block when attempting to get a permit, since a contractor needs to varify their license as part of the permitting process.