Roofing & Exterior
The Parts That Drop Decks Are the Parts You Can't See
An in-person deck safety assessment of the ledger, footings, posts, beams, joists, railings, and stairs — photographed, prioritized, and put in writing so you know what's urgent and what can wait.
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Signs to watch
Is this you?
You're buying or selling a home with a deck
A general home inspector glances at a deck from the surface. A documented structural assessment of the ledger, posts, and framing answers the question buyers and sellers both actually care about.
The deck is older or you don't know its history
Decks built years ago — or by a previous owner with unknown detailing — are where hidden ledger and footing problems hide. Age and mystery are both reasons to look before the next big gathering.
Something feels off — movement, bounce, or soft spots
Sway when people gather, bounce underfoot, or a soft board are signals worth an in-person look. We assess it in person and document what we find — we won't call a deck safe or unsafe from a template.
You want it documented before a big load
A party, a hot tub, or a crowd changes the loads a deck carries. Knowing the ledger and framing can take it — in writing, before the day — beats finding out during it.
Your options
What we actually assess — in person, never from a template
The structural and safety condition of a deck can only be judged on site, so every item here is checked in person, photographed, and documented — we never declare a deck safe or unsafe from a page like this. We assess the ledger and its flashing (the connection behind most deck collapses), footings and their bearing, posts and post-to-beam connections, beams and joists for rot and sag, joist hangers and fasteners for corrosion, railings and guard height and their attachment, and stair stringers, treads, and handrails. We look for rot, movement, sway, and moisture signatures where PNW water concentrates. You get a documented report with photos and prioritized findings — what needs attention now, what to watch, and what's sound — so you can plan, budget, or negotiate a sale with evidence instead of adjectives.
The method
How we do it
- 01
Book an on-site assessment
We come to the deck — a structural safety look can't be done any other way. You're welcome alongside us; we narrate what we're checking and why as we go.
- 02
We check the structure, not just the surface
Ledger and flashing, footings, posts, beams, joists, fasteners, railings, and stairs — inspected in person and photographed sound or not, with attention to the wet-side failure points.
- 03
Documented, prioritized report
Photos, findings, and priorities in writing — urgent, watch, and sound — with honest recommendations. If something needs a closer look before a verdict, we say that rather than guess.
Straight numbers
What an assessment costs
A documented deck safety assessment is a defined, in-person service — the price reflects a real inspector's time on your structure, not a drive-by. What it saves you is the far larger cost of a hidden ledger or footing failure, or a bad surprise at closing. Ask when you book and we'll quote it straight; if findings lead to repair work, we'll price that separately and honestly, with the photos to back every line.
Where we do this work
Deck Inspections & Safety Assessments: straight answers
Can you tell me if my deck is safe over the phone?
No — and be wary of anyone who will. Deck safety lives in the ledger, footings, and framing, which have to be examined in person. We can talk through your concerns to prioritize the visit, but the verdict only comes after an on-site look with photos.
What's the most important thing you check?
The ledger — the board bolting the deck to the house — because a leaking or under-fastened one is behind most deck collapses. We also weigh footings, post connections, and railing attachment heavily, since those are the failures that hurt people when they let go.
Do I need an inspection to sell my house?
Not always required, but a documented deck assessment heads off the surprise that derails deals — a buyer's inspector flagging the deck late. Going in with photos and a clean or clearly-scoped report puts you in control of the conversation instead of reacting to it.
What do I get at the end?
A written report with photographs and prioritized findings: what needs attention now, what to keep an eye on, and what's sound. It's yours to keep — to plan repairs, budget, or use in a sale — and it reflects what we actually saw on your deck, not a generic checklist.
Get the deck inspections & safety assessments conversation started.
Free 20-minute inspection. Photo report you keep either way. Zero pressure.