The pandemic has significantly changed the design and build industry. Whether you’re looking to add an outdoor kitchen, a screen porch, a deck, or some other outdoor living space in 2021 or 2022, here are helpful tips to ensure you enjoy a seamless, on-schedule build.

Fortress steel deck framing costs 15-25% more upfront than pressure-treated wood but delivers superior durability and lower maintenance requirements. Montgomery County MD and Fairfax County VA homeowners choosing between steel and wood deck framing should evaluate both initial investment and long-term performance when planning their outdoor living projects.

A screened porch in Montgomery County MD or Fairfax County VA typically costs $15,000–$35,000+, depending on size, materials, and design. Key factors affecting your total investment include square footage, framing materials, screening type, and whether you're adding electrical or plumbing. This guide breaks down every cost variable so you can budget accurately for your outdoor living project.

If you’re currently researching a home improvement project for your Virginia or Maryland home, you’ve probably started to notice two things. One, demand is sky high, meaning contractors are booked out for months, and two, bids and quotes are a bit higher than you might expect. With all the changes that have happened in the design and build industry, it has many homeowners wondering: What’s going to happen to contractor pricing next?

Whenever an article talks about price, the answer must always be some variant of “it depends.” Decks, like anything else, are extremely variable, and a lot of factors can affect the final price. That being said, if you’re thinking about adding a deck to your Maryland or Virginia home, here are some ballpark figures to guide you, as well as some insight about how the decking market has changed in 2021.