Georgetown Deck Questions

Georgetown asks for an official site surveySite surveyA drawing made by a land surveyor. It shows your lot lines, the house and where the new deck will go. that shows your lot lines and the new deck with its size. It also wants construction drawings. The impervious coverImpervious coverHard surfaces that rain cannot soak into. Georgetown asks for this math with a deck permit, and the city sets the limits on its impervious cover page. math goes on the survey site plan or on a separate worksheet. See the city deck and patio permit page.

Yes. The city permit list names patio covers, pergolas included. The city asks for a site survey and drawings, and plan review takes about ten business days.

Two. First is a setback inspectionSetback inspectionAn early visit from a city inspector. The pins are dug up and a string line shows the outline of the deck, so the inspector can check its place on the lot., where the iron pinsIron pinsMetal markers a surveyor sets in the ground at the corners of your lot. Inspectors use them to check how far the deck sits from the lot line. are found and dug out and a string line shows where the deck goes. Last is the building final. The pins stay open for that one too.

Inspections are booked through the city's MGO Connect site. A request in by 3 in the afternoon gets a visit the next business day. We book them as part of the job.

We do not guess at it. The city keeps the limits on its own impervious cover page, linked from the permit list. Check with the city for your lot, and we will put the numbers on your worksheet.

It can. On the city patio cover page, Georgetown says more permits and inspections may apply when electrical is part of the job. Plan for that if you want fans or lights.

Wood costs less up front and feels like real lumber because it is. It needs a wash and a coat of sealer every so often. Composite costs more, keeps its color and skips the sealer. Read more on our wood deck and composite deck pages.

Yes. A sloped yard is where a deck makes the most sense. The low side just gets taller posts and stairs. Past 6 feet, the city may ask for an engineer's stamp. See raised decks.

Yes. A pergola gives part shade. A solid cover keeps off rain and sun. Each needs its own permit in Georgetown, and the posts need footings that can carry them. See pergolas and patio covers.

Start with what you will put on it. A table for six and room to walk around it needs more space than two chairs and a grill. We mark it out in the yard with string so you can stand in it before you decide.

Yes. Ask for wide stairs with short steps, a rail on both sides and a landing if the run is long. Keep the deck close to the door height so there is no big step out of the house.

Yes. A ramp takes more room than stairs, so we plan its path early. Railings and a flat landing at the top make it safer. Your HOA may want to see it too.

Look for boards with a light grain or texture that is not slick when wet. Lighter colors stay cooler in the Texas sun. We bring samples so you can feel them.

No. Texas has no state license for deck builders. That makes the questions you ask more important. See our page on how to hire a deck builder.

The size, the boards, the rail style, the stairs, who pulls the permit and what happens if the yard holds a surprise. If two estimates do not list the same things, they are not the same job.

The Texas Oak Wilt Partnership says to avoid pruning or wounding oaks from February 1 through June 30. Damage from building counts as a wound. If your deck goes near oaks, the second half of the year is safer. Source is their pruning guide.