Built for Great Falls terrain
On sloped and wooded lots, the footings and framing matter more than the finish. Deeper post structures, proper freestanding designs where a grade change won't allow a solid ledger connection, and drainage that accounts for runoff on a hillside — these are the details that decide whether a deck is still solid in twenty years.
Skip builds every deck straight, over-engineered, and meant to outlast him — not to look good for the first season and sag by the fifth.
Materials that suit a wooded property
Under heavy tree canopy, decks see more shade, moisture, and leaf litter than an open yard. Composite like Trex resists the moisture and staining that punish natural wood in these conditions, while pressure-treated lumber remains a budget-friendly option when it's built and sealed correctly.
Skip walks you through the real trade-offs and quotes labor and materials separately, so you see exactly what you're paying for.
Permitting for a Great Falls deck — handled for you
Great Falls permits & HOA
Great Falls is unincorporated Fairfax County, so decks are permitted through Fairfax County Land Development Services. Nearly any attached deck, or any deck more than 30 inches above grade, requires a residential building permit and a site plan (a House Location Plat is usually accepted).
Decks over 30 inches need code-compliant guardrails, and if your property is in an HOA, their approval is required too. Skip handles the permit process as the responsible contractor — you don't chase paperwork. For the full breakdown, see our guide to deck permits in Fairfax County.
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 Great Falls project.
Great Falls deck questions
Do I need a permit for a deck in Great Falls?
Yes — through Fairfax County. Attached decks and any deck over 30 inches above grade require a building permit and site plan. Skip manages this for you.
Can you build on a steep or wooded lot?
Yes. Multi-level and freestanding designs for sloped, tree-covered Great Falls lots are among the most common builds we do.
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
See our full deck building & repair serviceGet a free deck estimate in Great Falls
Call Skip directly or send a few details and photos of your space. If we don't answer, expect a call or text back within the hour.