Owner-operated · Homeowner guide · Marietta
What to Know Before Replacing a Deck Near Marietta SquareMarietta · Cobb County
Marietta: If your deck is tired and you live in or around Marietta Square, you are probably wondering whether to repair it or start over. Owner-operated, with a free written estimate.
Free estimate · opens your texting app · no forms needed
Get a fast estimate
★★★★★ 31 Google reviews as of Nov 2026 — “Great workmanship, fair pricing, and excellent customer service.” Read reviews
- Free written estimate within one day
- General liability coverage
- Crews with 10+ years of combined experience
- Owner on every job
- Text us (470) 863-3707
Homeowner guide · Marietta
What should a homeowner near Marietta Square, Marietta know before choosing deck replacement?
Here is how I would think it through with you, standing at the back door.
- Breno, the owner, measures and writes your estimate
- 10+ years of combined team experience
- General liability insurance
- 5.0 stars from 31 Google reviews as of Nov 2026
- Real before-and-after photos from our own jobs
Marietta
Start With the Honest Question: Repair or Replace
A deck near Marietta Square can be a different animal from one in a newer subdivision. Homes close to the Square, not far from the Marietta History Center and the Marietta Museum of History, include older in-town houses, and the decks behind them range from original wood structures to newer builds. Age alone does not decide it. What matters is the frame underneath, the posts, and where the ledger meets the house. Surface boards can often be swapped while a sound frame stays put. When the structure is soft or loose, replacement is usually the safer road, and we will tell you plainly which one you are facing.
Here is what I look at first. I push on the rail and feel for movement. I check the stairs, since they tend to loosen before anything else. I probe the wood near the ground and around fasteners with a screwdriver, because that is where rot likes to start. Soft spots, deep cracks and rusted hardware all tell a story. A deck that only looks gray may just need cleaning and stain. A deck that bounces or leans is asking for more. I would rather say repair when repair is enough, and replacement only when the bones are gone.
Marietta
How the Lot and Slope Shape the Rebuild
Marietta sits on rolling, wooded ground, and plenty of lots slope away from the house. That matters because a sloped yard changes how tall the deck stands, how long the posts run, and how the stairs land. A deck that sits close to grade is one thing. A deck on tall posts at the back of a hillside lot needs more bracing, more careful footings and a stair plan that does not end in mud. When we visit, I walk the low side first and look at how water moves across the yard during a storm.
Drainage is the quiet part of the job. If runoff pools under a deck, the posts and lower framing stay damp, and damp wood tends to wear out faster. Sometimes the fix is as simple as moving where the footings sit or adding a bit of clearance. Other times we talk about regrading near the stairs. Whether you are on a lot near Marietta Square or farther out toward South Marietta Parkway, the slope will drive the framing decisions before the boards are ever chosen.
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 Marietta.
Marietta
Sun, Shade, Leaves and the Materials You Choose
Mature trees are one of the nice things about living around Marietta, and they are also hard on a deck. Shade keeps boards damp longer, and damp boards invite moss, mildew and slick spots. Falling leaves hold moisture against the surface and between the boards. A deck under thick canopy may weather very differently from one that bakes in afternoon sun, even if both were built the same day. I ask where the sun lands and how much cleanup you realistically want to do each fall.
That shapes the material talk. Pressure-treated lumber is a familiar choice and can do well when it is sealed and maintained. Composite and similar boards tend to need less upkeep, though they can run warm in direct sun and still need cleaning in the shade. Cedar looks lovely but asks for attention. None of these is right for every yard. I would rather match the material to your light, your trees and how you use the space than push one product on everybody.
Marietta
Permits, HOA Rules and the Visit Itself
Permits depend on your exact address. Addresses inside Marietta city limits are permitted through the City of Marietta, while nearby unincorporated addresses go through Cobb County. City or county setback and inspection rules can apply depending on where your parcel sits, and homes near the historic Square may have extra review. I will not guess at any of that. Please confirm with the city, the county or your own association, and we check what applies to your parcel before the estimate is written, then confirm the right office with you before work is scheduled.
If your neighborhood has an HOA with rules about exterior changes, tell us early so approvals fit your timeline. Ask your association what it needs, such as drawings or a color choice, and bring that to the visit. I come out in person, usually walking the yard, looking at the existing deck and taking notes. Photos of the current deck, any survey or plat you have, and a list of what bothers you about it all help. Nothing about the visit costs you anything.
Get a fast estimate
Marietta
What a Free Written Estimate Should Spell Out
A good estimate is written down, and it should read like a plain description of the work. It should say what comes off, what stays, and what gets built new. It should name the framing, footing and surface materials, the rail and stair details, and how the finish will be handled. It should say who handles permit paperwork and what happens if a hidden problem shows up once the old boards come off, such as soft framing at the house. Surprises happen, and the estimate should explain how they are handled.
Ask for the schedule in words too. When does work start, how long does it generally take, and what happens if weather gets in the way? Ask how the site is cleaned up and where old lumber goes. Compare estimates line by line instead of by the bottom line alone, because two bids can describe very different decks. B&T Properties is owner-operated, so you talk with Breno from the visit through the finish. Whether you are near The Big Chicken, off Roswell Road, or out toward Kennesaw, East Cobb or Acworth, the written estimate is free.
Straight answers
Marietta homeowner questions
Can my deck stay if only the boards are worn out?
Often, yes. If the posts, beams and joists are solid and the ledger is tight to the house, new surface boards can make sense. We check the frame first at the visit. If the structure is soft or loose, replacing the whole deck is usually the safer choice, and we will explain why.
Why does my deck stay slick under the trees?
Shade and falling leaves keep wood damp, and damp wood tends to grow mildew and moss. Sweeping leaves often, trimming back some branches where you can, and cleaning on a regular schedule help. Material choice matters too, so we talk about how much light your yard really gets.
Will a sloped yard make replacement harder?
It can change the plan, since taller posts, extra bracing and careful stair landings may be needed on sloped ground. It does not make a good deck impossible. We walk the low side of the lot at the visit and look at how water moves before suggesting a frame.
Does a deck near the Square need extra approval?
It may, since homes near the historic Square can have extra review. We cannot tell you what applies to your house without checking the parcel. Confirm with the City of Marietta or Cobb County, and with your HOA if you have one. We help sort that out before the estimate is written.
Is composite always better than treated wood?
Not always. Composite tends to need less upkeep, but it can run hot in direct sun and still needs cleaning in shade. Treated lumber can serve well when it is sealed and maintained. We match the material to your light, trees and habits rather than pushing one choice.
What if you find rot after the old deck comes off?
It happens, especially near the ground or at the house. A good written estimate should say how hidden damage is handled before work starts. We explain that in writing, and if we find something unexpected, Breno talks it through with you before anything changes.
Should I schedule replacement before or after HOA approval?
Ask your association what it needs first, and tell us early so the approval fits your timeline. We would rather not start work that is waiting on a decision. Bring any forms or drawing requirements to the visit, and we can help you describe the project clearly.
Do you handle stairs and railings during a replacement?
Yes. Stairs and rails are part of what we build, repair and replace, and they are often the first parts to loosen. We look at them at the visit and list them separately in the written estimate, so you can see exactly what is being done.
Verified Google reviews
What the neighbors are saying
These are verified Google reviews from B&T customers.
★★★★★
“Breno did an excellent job repairing my home. He was professional, reliable, and paid close attention to every detail. The quality of his work exceeded my expectations…”
★★★★★
“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.”
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 Marietta and the rest of Cobb County.
Upgrades
Make it yours: popular upgrades
Thinking beyond the basics? Mention any of these at your free estimate and Breno will go over what makes sense for your home.
Lighting
Low-voltage LED lights on stairs, posts or under the rail cap for evenings outside.
Railing styles
Pick the rail that fits the house: aluminum, composite or wood, in several styles.
Composite decking
Low-maintenance boards in a range of colors, priced next to wood so you can compare.
Stairs and landings
Wider steps, a landing, or a second set of stairs down to the yard.
Written warranty
1-year workmanship warranty
Workmanship warranty: one year from the day we complete the work, in writing. Faults that come from our labor are repaired at no charge. Not included: manufacturer material defects, normal wear and tear, weather, misuse, no maintenance, repairs by other parties. Submit claims in writing.
Free written estimate
Tell Breno about your Marietta deck — free and in writing.
No call center, no sales rep — the person who answers is the person who does the work.