Backyard construction · Seattle & Eastside

Build the backyard. Protect the house.

Decks, patios, pergolas and covered seating that you can use in our weather, built so water runs away from the foundation and rats don't move in underneath.

Decks, patios, pergolas and covered areas
Flashing and drainage that protect the house
Rodent-resistant skirting under low decks

Get my free estimate (800) 674-4933

★★★★★Google reviews4.9 Kirkland · 5.0 Renton

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Puget Sound Energy Recommended Energy Professional

Covered cedar patio and backyard living area · Seattle, WA

Free inspectionWith photos of everything we find
Licensed, bonded, insuredWashington # ATTICSI795QZ
Family-run and localKirkland and Renton offices
4.9 to 5.0 on GoogleKirkland 4.9 · Renton 5.0

The problem

What you build outside affects what happens under the house

A backyard project sits right against the house, and that's where problems start. A deck ledger bolted to the rim joist without flashing lets water into the crawl space. A patio poured with the wrong slope sends rain toward the foundation. A low deck with open sides becomes a dry, hidden home for rats, right next to the vents they use to get under the house.

We spend a lot of our time in crawl spaces and attics fixing exactly those problems. So when we build outdoors, we start from the house outward. Ledgers get flashed, grades slope away, and the space under a low deck is closed off with skirting and mesh. Then we build the part you'll actually enjoy: a deck, a patio, a pergola or a covered spot to sit outside on a drizzly evening.

**FIG. 01**The crew with a Super Attic Solutions van · Renton, WA

Warning signs

Signs your backyard needs work

Some backyard projects start with a wish. Others start with one of these.

SIGN 01
A deck that's soft or bouncy
Spongy boards, wobbly railings or rusted fasteners mean the framing has taken on water and needs repair or rebuilding.
SIGN 02
Water pooling against the house
Patios and walkways that slope toward the foundation push rain into the crawl space every storm.
SIGN 03
Burrows or droppings under the deck
Rats nest under low decks and sheds, then use crawl space vents and gaps nearby to get inside.
SIGN 04
A yard you can't use half the year
Without cover, many Puget Sound backyards sit empty from fall through spring. A roof or pergola changes that.

How we do it

How we build backyard projects

We look at the house before we look at the lumber.

01
Site walk and crawl space check
We walk the yard with you and talk through what you want to build and how you'll use it. We also check the foundation, crawl space vents, downspouts and grading on that side of the house, since the new project will tie into them. You get a written scope and an estimate, and we handle any permits the project needs.
02
Ground and foundation work
We set footings or prepare the base for a patio. Grades get shaped to slope away from the house, and downspouts get extended or redirected so they don't dump onto the new work. If crawl space vents sit under the deck area, we screen them before anything covers them.
03
Framing and building
For decks and covers, the ledger is flashed and fastened to the house properly, then joists, decking and railings go in. Pergolas and covered areas are framed and roofed. Low decks get skirting with rodent mesh behind it, so there's no open, dry space underneath for nesting.
04
Finish and walkthrough
We add lighting, steps and finishing details, clean up the site and walk the finished project with you. We point out the flashing, drainage and vents we worked around, and explain what to check each year so the project and the house next to it stay in good shape.

Book a free inspection (800) 674-4933

What you get

What we build

Scope of work
Decks	New decks and rebuilds, with flashed ledgers and proper footings
Patios	Hardscape patios graded to drain away from the foundation
Pergolas	Freestanding or attached, open or with a solid cover
Covered areas	Roofed outdoor spaces for use through the wet season
Seating and features	Built-in benches, steps and lighting
Drainage	Grading and downspout routing so water leaves the house
Rodent protection	Skirting and mesh under low decks; crawl space vents screened
Cleanup	Debris and spoils hauled away at the end

**FIG. 02**Crew members after a crawl space job · Kirkland, WA

Puget Sound homes

Backyards that work in Puget Sound weather

Our wet season runs from October to May, so outdoor wood stays wet for months and anything that traps water rots. That's why ledger flashing, drainage gaps between deck boards and footings that keep posts off the soil matter more here than in drier places. Moss grows on shaded decks and patios under firs and maples. And because both roof rats and Norway rats are common across Seattle and the Eastside, a low deck with open sides is an invitation. A covered patio or a pergola with a solid roof is often the project that makes a yard usable most of the year.

**FIG. 03**Home in Federal Way, Washington

Pricing

What shapes the price

Backyard projects vary widely. These factors make the biggest difference.

FACTOR 01
Size and height
Larger decks use more material. Raised decks need taller posts, bigger footings and railings.
FACTOR 02
Materials
Pressure-treated lumber, cedar and composite decking, and pavers or concrete for patios, all differ in cost.
FACTOR 03
Site conditions
Slopes, poor soil, tree roots and tight access to the backyard add labor.
FACTOR 04
Roof or cover
A solid roof over a patio or pergola adds framing, roofing and flashing to the house.
FACTOR 05
Removing the old project
Tearing out a rotted deck or old patio adds demolition and disposal.

Get a written estimate

Great service. I highly recommend this company. Wish I would have found them years ago... Isaac, Kareem and Irving were professional, courteous, and friendly. Pricing was clear and there were no surprises. Very happy with our experience.

★★★★★Steve D. · Yelp review

FAQ

Backyard construction: questions we hear

Still unsure? Call (800) 674-4933 and talk it through with us.

(800) 674-4933

What backyard projects do you build?

Decks, patios, pergolas, covered outdoor areas, built-in seating, steps and outdoor lighting. We also build outdoor fire features and outdoor cooking areas, which have their own pages. If you have a project in mind that isn't on this list, call and describe it. We'll tell you honestly if it's work we do.

Why does deck flashing matter so much?

Where a deck attaches to the house, the ledger board is bolted to the rim joist. Without flashing, rain runs behind the ledger and soaks the rim joist and the crawl space framing. That's one of the most common causes of rot we see under houses. Proper flashing sends that water out and away.

How do you keep rats from living under a deck?

By closing off the space underneath. On low decks we install skirting with galvanized mesh behind it, buried a few inches into the ground so rats can't dig under. We also screen any crawl space vents near the deck. If rats are already living there, we trap them and seal entry points first, then build.

Do I need a permit to build a deck or pergola?

It depends on the size, height and whether it's attached to the house. Low, small decks may not need one. Raised decks, attached covers and larger structures usually do. Rules differ between Seattle, the Eastside cities and county areas. We check what your project needs during the estimate and handle the permits for you.

Can I use a covered patio through the winter here?

Yes, that's why many people build one. A solid roof keeps rain off the seating area, and adding a fire pit or outdoor heater makes it comfortable on cool evenings. We make sure the cover drains properly with gutters and that its connection to the house is flashed so water doesn't get into your walls.

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