Deck Builder in Arlington, VA
Building a deck in Arlington is a different job from building one out in the county — and it needs a builder who knows the difference. Lots are tighter, setbacks matter more, homes sit closer together, and Arlington County is its own permitting jurisdiction with rules that don't match Fairfax. Skip has navigated Northern Virginia's building departments for 40+ years and builds decks that fit Arlington's compact yards without cutting a single corner.
Decks that work on a smaller footprint
On Arlington's tighter lots, smart design does the heavy lifting — making the most of the space you have, respecting setbacks, and building a deck that feels generous even when the yard isn't oversized.
Skip builds every one straight, solid, and to full code, whether it's a compact city deck or a multi-level build on one of Arlington's larger properties.
Arlington's rules are its own — and we know them
Arlington County permits — handled
Arlington runs its own process through the County's building department, not Fairfax's. Permits are submitted through Arlington's ePlan Review portal (or on paper to the Inspection Services Division), residential deck fees are typically calculated on construction value, and home-center deck plans generally aren't accepted — the drawings have to meet Arlington's requirements.
Skip prepares a compliant package and pulls the permit as the responsible contractor.
Historic-district homes
Homes in districts like Lyon Park, Maywood, and Westover can require Arlington Historic Preservation design review in addition to the building permit, especially for work visible from the street.
Skip checks your property's status up front so there are no surprises mid-project — exactly the kind of local detail a crew from outside Arlington tends to miss.
A few of our recent decks
A selection of decks from Skip's Northern Virginia portfolio — multi-level composite builds, tear-out rebuilds, railings, and stairs. It's the same footings-up craftsmanship we bring to every Arlington project.
Arlington deck questions
Is the Arlington permit process different from Fairfax County?
Yes — Arlington is a separate jurisdiction with its own portal, fees, and rules. Skip handles the full Arlington County process for you.
My home is in a historic district — can you still build my deck?
Yes. Homes in districts like Lyon Park, Maywood, and Westover may need historic design review on top of the building permit, and Skip manages that step as part of the project.
What Northern Virginia Homeowners Say
“I hired Skip and his crew to remodel my basement with a bathroom remodel, and they also remodeled my upstairs bathroom and kitchen. Then I hired them to expand my deck as well. Everything came out wonderful, on time and on budget — a great company that I will continue to work with on my home.”
“He rebuilt my deck after it was damaged by a fire from my grill. He and Tommy rebuilt it in record time, to my specs, and for a reasonable price. This is a good company that won't give you the runaround, and they are respectful to women — which means a lot if you're a single mom who owns your own house. Two thumbs up.”
“We hired Skip and crew to open up a stairwell in our 1939 Cape Cod. Their bid was competitive and the outcome is terrific! They showed up every day on time, the work was superb, and they cleaned up at the end of each day. The job finished on schedule. Highly recommend.”
“I told Skip I wanted to tear down my old deck and build a new one to Fairfax County code. The result: doubled in size, permitted, and it looks so much better. I'm convinced this well-built deck will be here long after the house falls away. Great job by great people. He's a straight shooter who does great work at a reasonable price — I whole-heartedly recommend Skip's Carpentry.”
“We had at least five bids for a complete remodel of our deck, pergola, and fence. Skip's quote was competitive and actually split into costs for materials and labor — very transparent. Skip is authentic and a straight shooter. One contractor said we needed a complete redo of the frame and posts; Skip disagreed, and it turned out he was right! We're very pleased with the end result.”
“I found Skip on Yelp and called based on the great reviews. I had a buckled board in my entryway. Skip answered my call — on a Sunday, when I expected to leave a message — and came by the next morning. He screwed the board down free of charge. I'm definitely planning on calling him again when we redo our deck next year.”
“Highly recommended. Skip and his crew built a new deck using existing structures and about doubled the size of usable space. The new deck is extremely solid and the finish work beautiful. Price was very competitive.”
“Skip was a breeze to work with on our deck replacement. Like other reviewers have said — he's no nonsense, but honest and forthright. I'd recommend him any day!”
We build decks throughout NoVA
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