Good to know · Permits
Deck permits in Metro Atlanta: what we handle, what you handle
Permit paperwork is the part of a build most people would rather not think about. Here is exactly who does what, so nothing sits in limbo while you wait to know.
What we take care of
- Drawings are prepared as part of the permitting process — they belong to the permit, not to a separate design fee.
- The permit is pulled in our own name.
- Permit fees are included in the cost of your deposit.
- Inspections are scheduled and walked with the inspector, not left to you.
- Variances are handled in-house where the lot needs one.
- If something fails inspection, fixing it is our job, at our cost.
What stays with you
HOA approval comes from your association, so it is yours to obtain. We provide the drawings and project information your application needs — what we cannot do is file it for you or promise the association's decision.
If your neighborhood has an HOA, start that application early. It runs on the association's calendar, and it is the step most likely to sit waiting.
Why the permit trail matters
A permitted build leaves a record: the drawings that were approved, the inspections that were signed off, and the code the work was held to. Quality on our projects is checked the same way — through third-party inspections and code approval, not a self-assessment.
That record is also what a future buyer's inspector asks for. Building without one moves the risk onto you, which is not a trade we make.
How it fits the schedule
Permitting can take as little as one month, usually takes 2–4 months, and can sometimes take longer. Every city and county reviews plans on its own timetable. We file and manage the process; approval timing belongs to the jurisdiction.
After the permit is approved, we'll be able to look at our current workload and start planning a start date. Start and completion dates cannot be guaranteed; permitting, workload, weather and site conditions can affect the schedule.
A few questions you may be wondering about.
How long does permitting take?
Permitting can take as little as one month, usually takes 2–4 months, and can sometimes take longer.
When can construction start?
After the permit is approved, we'll be able to look at our current workload and start planning a start date.
Do I need a permit for a new deck, porch or sunroom?
In most Metro Atlanta jurisdictions, an elevated or roofed structure needs one, and the exact scope and your city decide the details. We confirm what your project requires at the site visit and pull the permit in our own name.
Who pays the permit fees?
We submit the fees as part of permitting. Permit fees are included in the cost of your deposit. The permit is pulled in our own name rather than yours.
What happens if something fails inspection?
Fixing it is our job, at our cost. That is one reason the permit is pulled in our name — the responsibility sits with the builder who pulled it.
Do you handle my HOA approval?
No. You handle your HOA approval; we provide the drawings and project information you need for your application.