Owner-operated · Homeowner guide
How to prepare for a deck contractor visitHomeowner guide · Georgia decks
How to prepare for a deck contractor visit Gather a few photos, a simple wish list, your HOA contact and a clear path to the yard, and write down your questions, so the visit gives you a real written estimate instead of a vague guess.
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Homeowner guide
How to prepare for a deck contractor visit
A deck visit goes much better when the homeowner has thought a little about what they want. The builder is trying to understand your yard, your budget comfort and your timeline, and a few minutes of preparation helps them do that well. None of this takes special knowledge.
- 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
A little preparation makes a deck visit far more useful. Walk the yard first and notice the things you cannot change, such as the door height, slope, trees and where water runs after a storm. Take photos of the back of the house, the existing deck and any problem areas, and note which direction the afternoon sun comes from. Make sure the visitor can reach the yard without obstacles, with gates unlocked and pets put away, so the time goes toward measuring and talking rather than finding a way in.
Gather the paperwork that shapes the project. If you live in a neighborhood with an association, find your covenants and the contact for exterior approvals, and ask what drawings it expects. Note the plans or permits from any previous work. Think about your priorities in plain terms: maintenance, privacy, a specific view, a place for a grill. Write down your questions about timing, hidden damage and how changes are approved during construction. A clear picture of what you want lets the written estimate reflect your yard rather than a general guess.
Guide
Collect photos and notes first
Photos let you describe the project before anyone arrives and give you a record afterward.
- Take wide pictures of the yard from the back door, showing the slope and any trees.
- Photograph the existing deck, stairs and railings, including any soft or damaged spots.
- Note where the sun hits in the afternoon and where water collects after rain.
- Save pictures of decks you like, so the builder sees your taste right away.
Guide
Write a simple wish list
You do not need drawings. A short list of how the family will use the space is enough to guide the design.
- Who will use it, and how often: quiet mornings, grilling, large gatherings or kids and pets?
- Do you want shade, a screened section, built-in seating or a place for a hot tub?
- Which matters more to you, low upkeep or the look of real wood?
- Is there anything you already know you do not want?
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.
Guide
Check the neighborhood side
If you live in a community with an association, ask for the exterior guidelines and the name of the person who handles approvals before the visit. Tell the builder what you find, because it can affect the design, the materials and the schedule.
Also think about whether your city or county asks for a permit for the kind of work you have in mind. Your builder can tell you what they usually see, but the local office is the final word, so it helps to know who to call.
Guide
Make the visit easy
A smooth walk-around saves everyone time and lets the builder measure and look closely.
- Unlock gates and move toys, grills, furniture and planters out of the way.
- Put pets inside, or let the builder know about them in advance.
- Mark any sprinkler heads, drains, buried lines or other features you know about in the yard.
- Have the people who make decisions at home, so questions get answered on the spot.
Guide
Questions worth asking
Bring your questions on paper. A good builder welcomes them.
- What will the written estimate include, and what will it leave out?
- Who handles the permit and HOA paperwork, and who pays for it?
- How are changes to the plan handled once work starts?
- Who will be on site, and who is my point of contact?
- How will the yard be protected and cleaned up?
Get a fast estimate
Guide
What happens after the visit
Ask when to expect the written estimate and what it will look like. Read it line by line, compare it with the wish list you wrote, and ask about anything that seems missing or unclear. A clear written estimate is the best sign that the project will run the same way.
Local notes
Around Canton and Woodstock and nearby
Canton. Canton is the Cherokee County seat, a city where the historic downtown sits a few minutes from master-planned communities such as BridgeMill, Great Sky and River Green. That mix of older in-town streets and newer subdivisions means the decks we see range from decades-old wood to recent builder-grade installs. Communities in the area include BridgeMill, Great Sky, Laurel Canyon, River Green.
Woodstock. Woodstock blends a walkable downtown with large established neighborhoods like Towne Lake, Eagle Watch and Wyngate. Many of those homes have mature trees around them and decks that have been through a couple of decades of Georgia weather. Communities in the area include Towne Lake, Eagle Watch, Wyngate, Bradshaw Farm.
Holly Springs. Holly Springs is a fast-growing Cherokee County city of sprawling subdivisions such as Harmony on the Lakes, with some homes on lots of an acre or more. Many houses date from the early 2000s and later, so a lot of original builder decks are now at the age where they need attention. Communities in the area include Harmony on the Lakes, downtown Holly Springs.
Straight answers
Common questions
Do I need plans or drawings before a deck estimate?
No. Photos and a short description of how you want to use the space are enough for a first visit. The builder can sketch ideas and spell out the scope in the written estimate.
Should I be home during the estimate visit?
Yes, if you can. Being there lets you point out problem areas, share what matters to you and hear the builder's questions directly, which usually makes the estimate more accurate.
Is the estimate visit really free?
B&T offers a free written estimate for deck projects. Whatever builder you talk to, ask up front whether the visit and the written estimate cost anything, so there are no surprises.
What if I am not sure what I want yet?
That is common. Bring photos of decks you like, describe how the family uses the yard, and ask the builder to explain the options and trade-offs. You do not need to decide everything during the visit.
Should I get more than one estimate?
Many homeowners do. Ask each builder for the same details in writing so the estimates can be compared fairly, and look at what each one includes rather than only the bottom line.
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
B&T Properties is run by Breno, who visits the job, writes the estimate and stays involved until the work is done. The crew has 10+ years of combined deck experience, and the company carries General Liability insurance. We work in Canton and across Cherokee County.
Upgrades
Make it yours: popular upgrades
Planning a project in Canton? Bring up any of these at your free estimate. Changes are easier to plan on paper than on a finished deck.
Multi-level layouts
Two levels can follow your slope and give dining and lounging their own space.
Lighting
Low-voltage LED lights on stairs, posts or under the rail cap for evenings outside.
Cover or screens
Add a roof over part of the deck, or screen it in for shade and fewer bugs.
Composite decking
Low-maintenance boards in a range of colors, priced next to wood so you can compare.
Service area
Cities we serve
Written warranty
1-year workmanship warranty
B&T Properties backs the workmanship on every job for one year after completion, free of charge when the fault is ours. It does not cover material defects, natural wear, weather damage, misuse, a lack of upkeep or work by others. To claim, write to us and we will inspect.
Free written estimate
Ask Breno about your deck — free and in writing.
No call center, no sales rep — the person who answers is the person who does the work.