Owner-operated · Homeowner guide · East Cobb
How to Prepare for a Deck Estimate Visit in East CobbEast Cobb · Cobb County
East Cobb: A deck estimate visit goes faster and turns out more useful when the deck is easy to reach and you know what you want to ask. A little preparation also helps the written estimate match what you actually need, not just what was easy to see. Owner-operated, with a free written estimate.
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Homeowner guide · East Cobb
How should I prepare for a deck estimate visit?
Writing down your questions about materials, upkeep and timing before the East Cobb visit means nothing important gets forgotten while you and Breno stand out on the deck together.
- Owner-operated: Breno visits and writes your estimate himself
- A team with 10+ years of combined experience
- Insured with general liability coverage
- 31 Google reviews as of Nov 2026, rated 5.0
- Before-and-after photos from our own completed jobs
East Cobb
What happens during the visit
Breno comes out in person and walks the deck, stairs and railings with you. He looks at the surface boards, presses on soft spots, checks how the railing posts are fastened and then gets underneath to look at the joists, beams, posts and the ledger where the deck meets the house. The frame tells more about what a deck needs than the boards on top.
He also asks how you use the space. A deck that holds a grill and a big table every weekend needs different attention than a small landing off the kitchen. After the visit you get a free written estimate that explains what he found and what he recommends, whether that is a repair, new boards and railings, or a full rebuild.
East Cobb
Clear the way before Breno arrives
Move planters, rugs and furniture off any boards you are worried about so the surface can be checked. Rugs and heavy pots often hide the worst spots, because they trap moisture against the wood.
Open up access to the space under the deck. If the area is closed in with lattice, storage or a screen of shrubs, make sure there is a way to see the framing, at least near the house and around the stair. Unlock any gate to the backyard and keep pets inside, so the walk-around is easy for everyone.
In established neighborhoods such as Indian Hills, Chimney Springs and Sibley Forest, many decks sit under mature trees. Sweep off leaves and pine straw ahead of time, since a layer of debris can hide cracked boards, open seams and soft ends.
How it works
Five steps. No surprises.
Call, text, or send the form
Tell us what is going on: a new deck, a repair, or “not sure yet.” We reply the same day.
Free on-site visit
Breno looks at the deck or the yard himself, measures, and goes over your options with you.
Written estimate
Scope, materials and price come in writing, so you know the plan before anything starts.
Schedule and permits
We agree on a start date and confirm any city, county or HOA requirement for your address first.
Build and final walk-through
Breno is on the job, and we go over the finished work with you before we call it done.
Real B&T work
Photos from real jobs
Real photos from B&T projects in North Georgia, not necessarily from East Cobb.
East Cobb
What to have ready
Make a short list of what bothers you: a bouncy spot, a wobbly railing, a stair that feels uneven, boards that are splintering or a stain that keeps peeling. Note when you see it, too. Some problems only show up after a heavy rain or in the shade of late afternoon.
If you have the house plans, a survey or any paperwork from when the deck was built, set it out. If not, that is fine. Photos of the deck from past seasons can also help show how quickly something has changed.
Have a rough idea of where you want to go. Keeping the same footprint, adding stairs to the yard, swapping to new railings or making room for a bigger table all change the scope, so it helps to talk through them while Breno is standing on the deck.
East Cobb
Questions worth asking
Ask whether the frame can support new boards or whether it needs work first. Many East Cobb homes went up well before today and their decks may be on a second or third set of boards, so the joists and ledger often deserve a close look before anything is resurfaced.
Ask what can wait and what should not. A cosmetic finish problem can usually be planned around, while a loose railing post or a soft stair stringer is a safety issue that should move up the list.
Ask how the slope of your yard affects the work. Lots off Johnson Ferry Road, Shallowford Road and Roswell Road often fall away from the house, which can mean taller posts, longer stairs and more of the frame exposed to weather.
East Cobb
HOA and permits
Many East Cobb subdivisions have an HOA or a swim-and-tennis association with rules about exterior changes. If yours does, find out how its review works and mention it during the visit, so the plan leaves room for that step. Replacing boards with the same material and color may be handled differently than a larger deck or a new railing style, so check with the association.
Whether a project goes through Cobb County or a city office depends on your exact address, and some repairs may not need a permit while a rebuild might. Breno helps you confirm which office handles your address before work is scheduled, so there are no surprises later.
Get a fast estimate
East Cobb
After the estimate
Read the written estimate with the deck in front of you and match each line to what you saw on the visit. If something is unclear, ask. A good estimate should make sense to you without a contractor standing next to you.
We build, repair and replace wood decks, porches, railings, stairs and fences across East Cobb and nearby Kennesaw, Acworth and Sandy Springs, from homes off Powers Ferry Road to streets near Windy Hill Road. When you are ready, reach out and Breno will set up a time to come take a look.
Straight answers
East Cobb homeowner questions
Do I need to be home when Breno looks at my East Cobb deck?
It helps a lot. Walking the deck together lets you point out the spots that worry you and lets Breno explain what he sees in the frame and railings while you are both standing there.
Should I clean or restain my deck before the estimate visit?
No need to restain. A quick sweep to clear leaves and pine straw is enough, so cracked boards and soft ends are easy to spot. A fresh coat can actually hide problems.
How does Breno check the frame under a deck on a sloped lot?
He gets under the deck and looks at the joists, beams, posts, footings and the ledger at the house. On a lot that falls away from the house, he pays close attention to tall posts and long stair runs.
What if part of my deck is closed in with lattice or storage?
Clear enough of it to see the framing near the house and around the stairs. If something cannot be moved, mention it, and Breno will note what he could and could not see in the estimate.
Will the estimate cover my railings and stairs too?
Yes, if they are part of the deck. Railings, posts, stair treads and stringers are checked on the same visit and included in the written estimate.
Should I tell Breno about my Chimney Springs or Indian Hills HOA before the visit?
Yes. Mention your association and any rules you know about, so the plan can leave room for its review of exterior changes. Check the details with the association itself.
Can the estimate compare repairing my deck with replacing it?
Yes. When the frame is borderline, the written estimate can lay out both paths so you can see what a repair covers and what a full replacement would change.
Who handles permits for a deck rebuild in East Cobb?
It depends on your exact address, since most of East Cobb goes through Cobb County but some addresses fall inside city limits. Breno helps you confirm the right office before work is scheduled.
Verified Google reviews
What the neighbors are saying
These are verified Google reviews from B&T customers.
★★★★★
“Breno and his team exceeded our expectations. They were organized, efficient, and truly cared about delivering a high-quality result. We couldn't be happier.”
★★★★★
“If you're looking for a trustworthy contractor, B&T Properties is the right choice. Great workmanship, fair pricing, and excellent customer service.”
Who’s doing the work
About B&T Properties
Owner-operated by Breno. Collectively, our team brings 10+ years of deck-building experience, and B&T Properties carries General Liability insurance. Serving East Cobb and the rest of Cobb County.
Upgrades
Upgrades worth asking about
Planning a project in East Cobb (Marietta)? Bring up any of these at your free estimate. Changes are easier to plan on paper than on a finished deck.
Composite decking
Boards that resist rot and skip the yearly stain. Worth pricing in at the start.
Multi-level layouts
Two levels can follow your slope and give dining and lounging their own space.
Railing styles
Aluminum, composite or wood railing, from classic balusters to a cleaner, low-profile look.
Cover or screens
Shade, rain cover or screens, planned in from the start.
Written warranty
1-year workmanship warranty
For 12 months after we finish, B&T Properties stands behind its labor in writing. A problem traced to how we built or repaired it is corrected at no cost. Excluded: defective materials, age-related wear, weather events, improper use, missing maintenance, and anyone else’s repairs. Put your claim in writing.
Free written estimate
Tell Breno about your East Cobb deck — free and in writing.
No call center, no sales rep — the person who answers is the person who does the work.