It is the homeowner's responsibility to ensure that any construction to their home has the necessary building permits. At Green Side Up Contracting, we believe in protecting your investment, which means we encourage our clients to obtain the necessary building permit.

We realize that this can be a bit of a headache, so to make the process easier for our clients, we have partnered with an architectural firm that specializes in building permits. They will not only prepare the design and technical drawings but also obtain all the necessary permits. Their qualified and experienced staff can also assist with committee of adjustments and conservation approvals.

We work alongside our designers and architectural partners to ensure the project flows smoothly and the design concept comes to fruition without any headaches. The average fee which includes deck design, architectural build details, and applying for the permit is appropriately $2,000. To assist our clients, we will take $1,000 off your invoice for deck design services if you choose Green Side Up Contracting. 

Ultimately, building under permit protects you. For permitted jobs, city officials will inspect and ensure that construction is done per building code and approved permits. At Green Side Up Contracting, we have good experience and a network with inspectors. Inspections may slow the construction process by a day or two, but our main focus is to protect your investment and build a safe, durable deck that lasts decades!

A contractor who encourages a deck build without a permit should be excluded from your choice of trusted contractors.

Here are five reasons why obtaining a building permit for your deck is crucial.

Please note that the timeline for the permit process may vary based on factors such as weather conditions, scope of work, different municipalities, and the overall complexity of your project.

Basic timeline of the permit process:

1. Getting Started:
   • Coordinate an initial design consultation meeting with your architectural designers and conduct a detailed site measure.
   • Produce drawings illustrating existing conditions and a preliminary design (2-3 business days).
   • Make amendments to the preliminary design if required or propose alternative design options (timeline may vary depending on the number of amendments).
2. After the Design is Finalized:
   • Prepare permit-ready construction drawings and obtain designer or engineer sign-offs (2-3 business days).
3. After Submitting for Building Permit:
   • Submit the construction drawing set to the building department in your area (1-2 business days).
   • City review, receive city comments/change requests, and process the permit issuance (10-20 business days, depending on the municipality).
   • Please note that city processing times may vary depending on your municipality or the number of approvals required. Some properties may require heritage and conservation approvals in addition to the conventional building permit approval.
4. After Building Permits are Issued:
   • We can begin the construction process.

Please feel free to reach out to us for further clarification or to schedule an appointment. We are here to guide you through the process and ensure your deck construction project is a success.

The short answer is no! The long answer is that unlike Cedar or Trex Composite, which require regular maintenance, Trex is an exceptionally low-maintenance product. Trex is a high-performance composite deck board designed to resist fading, scratches, and stains, eliminating the need for time-consuming maintenance. With Trex, you'll never have to visit the stain aisle again. Additionally, Trex offers a 25-year warranty.

To maintain a Trex deck you simply have to wash it down with soap and water when required.

Advantages Of Working With A TrexPro Platinum Contractor

What is the best type of material to use?

As a Trex Pro, Green Side Up Contracting highly recommends Trex low maintenance decking as the best choice. It outlasts all wood options and offers numerous advantages. While the initial investment may be higher, the lack of maintenance costs, superior aesthetics and enjoyment, long lifespan, and added value it brings when selling your home outweigh the benefits of using lower quality materials.

Trex Composite Decking:

Trex composite decking is a combination of plastic and wood fiber. The wood fiber can range from wood chips to sawdust, while the plastic component can be made from recycled or new plastic materials.

Trex is proud to be an environmentally conscious choice, as it is made from 95% recycled materials and has never cut down a single tree. Trex keeps approximately 500 million pounds of plastic and wood waste out of lakes, rivers, and landfills annually, making it the largest plastic recycler worldwide.

The initial investment for Trex decking is approximately 39% more than Cedar and 80% more than Pressure-Treated decking. However, the total cost of ownership over time is significantly lower with Trex due to its low maintenance requirements.

Trex offers a 25-year manufacturer's warranty. For more information, please visit the Trex website.

Cedar Decking:

Cedar has a long history of use in decking due to its durability and natural resistance to rot, decay, and insect attacks. It also resists moisture absorption and is less prone to warping or splitting.

At Green Side Up Contracting, we use Pinnacle Premium Western Red Cedar, a premium product, rather than Knotty Cedar used by many competitors.

The downside of cedar decking is that it requires an initial stain after installation, followed by annual maintenance, which includes power washing, sanding, and re-staining the deck. While cedar decking may offer value for those who are handy and willing to perform regular maintenance, it can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. Neglected maintenance can lead to deck deterioration.

For those who are less handy, hiring a company that offers this service is an option. The typical cost to power wash, sand, and seal a cedar deck is approximately $3.00 per square foot. More information can be found under "Total Cost of Ownership" below.

Pressure Treated Pine:

At Green Side Up Contracting, we will build you a pressure treated deck, however we do not recommend using this material. For further information, please click here.

Total Cost of Ownership:

In addition to delivering excellence in construction, it is our responsibility to protect your investment by providing you with information to make an informed decision.

While Trex is our preferred decking material to build with, it may not be suitable for everyone. The chart below demonstrates that investing in the wrong decking material can result in higher long-term costs and reduced enjoyment compared to a low-maintenance Trex deck.

Please note that the need for annual deck maintenance varies depending on factors such as sun exposure and wear and tear.

By year 5, a cedar deck will begin to cost more than the initial investment of a Trex deck.

Two other things that hold value to consider:

1. If you are planning to sell your home in the next ten years, there is a fairly good chance that a cedar deck may be an eyesore. A potential buyer could look at the deck and see that it will need to be replaced if not now, then in the not-so-distant future.
2. It's difficult to put a number on your enjoyment, but there is great value that comes with considering this.

Please note that at Green Side Up Contracting, we believe in protecting your investment. This means providing you with facts so you can make an educated decision. Although building Trex decks is our favorite deck style to build due to the overall beauty and customer satisfaction, we are happy to build your deck from cedar. Please know that our margins are the same across all decking options. We are here to sell you the right deck,