Deck

Deck Building in Bellevue, Seattle and the Eastside: What to Expect

Blue Lake Construction designs and builds custom decks across Bellevue, Seattle, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish, Issaquah, Renton, Mercer Island, Kent and Lynnwood. We build in composite (Trex, TimberTech), cedar and pressure-treated wood, with aluminum, cable or glass railing, built-in stairs and benches, low-voltage lighting, and optional patio covers or pergolas. Every deck is built on a fixed-price contract that includes design, structural engineering, the permit package and every inspection, so the number you sign is the number you pay.

How much does a new deck cost in the Seattle area?

In 2026 a typical 300 sq ft deck runs about $15,000–$25,000 in pressure-treated wood and $25,000–$40,000 in composite across Seattle and the Eastside. Per square foot, pressure-treated lands around $40–$70, cedar $55–$90 and composite $75–$130 installed. Elevated second-story decks, complex shapes, glass or cable railing and built-in stairs push budgets higher. You get a fixed price after a free on-site design visit.

Do I need a permit to build a deck in Washington?

Usually, yes. In Seattle, decks more than 18 inches above grade need a building permit. Most other King County cities, including Bellevue, Kirkland and Redmond, require one when the deck is 30 inches or more above the ground, attached to the house, or serving an exit door, and attached or elevated decks typically need engineering. Blue Lake prepares the drawings, submits the permit under our license (BLUELLC760C3) and schedules every inspection, so the paperwork never lands on you.

Cedar or composite: which deck material is better for Western Washington rain?

Composite is the most popular choice we build on the Eastside. It costs more up front but shrugs off nine months of rain with almost no maintenance, which usually makes it the cheaper deck over a decade. Cedar gives a warm, natural Northwest look and resists rot, but it needs re-staining every two to three years to keep its color. Pressure-treated wood is the budget option and works well for ground-level platforms when you are willing to seal it regularly.

When is the best time to build a deck in Seattle?

Decks are best built in the drier months, roughly late spring through early fall, but the real deadline is the design and permit lead time in front of the build. If you want a deck ready for next summer, start design and permitting over the winter so construction can begin as soon as the weather cooperates. Homeowners who call in November through February are the ones enjoying the finished deck by June.

Looking for a deck builder near you? Blue Lake Construction serves Bellevue, Seattle, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish, Issaquah, Renton, Mercer Island, Kent and the greater Eastside from our office at 12721 Bel-Red Rd Suite 9, Bellevue, WA 98005. Call (206) 786-5988 or request a free consultation to get a fixed price for your backyard.