How long does a deck building project typically take from start to finish?

A straightforward deck can usually be framed and finished in about one to two weeks of active build time once permits are in hand, weather permitting. Larger or multi-level decks, or ones needing engineered footings, take longer. Permitting through the county can add several weeks before construction even starts, so we build that into the schedule up front.

What should I ask a contractor before hiring them to build a deck?

Ask whether they pull permits and handle inspections themselves, what fastener and flashing materials they use, and whether they carry liability insurance and workers' comp. Ask for references from decks built at least a few years ago, not just recent ones, since moisture problems take time to show up. A contractor who can explain why they'd build differently for a shaded, damp lot versus a sunny one is a good sign.

Is composite decking actually worth the higher upfront cost compared to wood?

It depends on the site and how much maintenance you want to do. On a shaded or low-airflow lot in a wet climate, composite or capped decking often pays for itself in avoided maintenance and a longer lifespan. On a sunny, well-ventilated deck, a well-maintained cedar or treated wood deck can perform very well for a lot less money upfront.

What's the difference between hidden fastener systems and standard deck screws?

Hidden fastener systems clip decking boards from the sides or underside, so there are no exposed screw heads on the walking surface, which means less water intrusion at each fastener point and a cleaner look. Standard face-screwed decking is less expensive and easier to repair board by board, but each screw hole is a small entry point for moisture over time. The right choice depends on the decking material and the homeowner's priorities.

Does Kendall's location affect what kind of deck permit or inspection process I'll go through?

Yes — since Kendall is in unincorporated Whatcom County rather than inside Ferndale's city limits, deck permits and inspections generally go through Whatcom County Planning & Development Services. The general rule that decks over 30 inches above grade need a permit and guardrails still applies, but the office you work with is different than for a project inside city limits.

Deck Building Services in Kendall, WA

Building Decks That Hold Up in Kendall

A deck in Kendall does a lot more work than a deck in a drier climate. Whatcom County's marine-influenced weather means long stretches of steady rain, high humidity, and a moss season that can run from fall through spring. Add in shaded lots along tree lines and low winter sun angles, and a deck here spends a good part of the year staying damp longer than it should. That's fine if the deck was built to handle it. It's a slow, expensive problem if it wasn't.

We build and repair decks for homeowners around Kendall and the rest of the Ferndale area, and almost every callback we get on someone else's work traces back to the same handful of shortcuts: not enough slope for drainage, fasteners that weren't rated for wet wood contact, or decking laid tight with no room to breathe. None of that shows up on day one. It shows up in year three or four, usually as soft spots, black staining, or a railing post that's gone spongy at the base.

What a Correctly Built Deck Needs Here

Framing and Structure

The framing is the part nobody sees once the decking goes down, and it's the part that determines whether the deck is still solid in fifteen years. For our region that means:

Footings sized and set below frost depth, on undisturbed or properly compacted soil
Ledger board flashed and sealed correctly where the deck attaches to the house — this is the single most common failure point in wet climates
Joists spaced to match the decking material's span rating, not just "what's always been done"
Galvanized or stainless structural hardware, not standard fasteners that corrode when wet wood sits against metal for years
A slight slope away from the house so water sheds instead of pooling under the deck

Airflow and Drainage

Moss and mildew need two things: moisture and still air. A deck built tight to the ground, or with boards spaced too close together, gives them both. We leave proper gaps between boards for drainage, keep skirting ventilated rather than sealed solid, and where the site allows it, build in enough clearance underneath for air to actually move. It's a small detail at construction time and a big one every wet Whatcom County winter after that.

Choosing the Right Decking Material

There's no single "best" decking material — there's the right material for the site, the budget, and how much upkeep the homeowner actually wants to do. In a climate that stays damp for much of the year, the trade-offs are worth understanding before you commit.

Material	How It Handles Our Climate	Maintenance	Typical Lifespan
Pressure-treated wood	Good if detailed and finished correctly; absorbs moisture faster than composites	Annual cleaning, periodic sealing/staining	15-20 years
Cedar	Naturally moisture- and insect-resistant; still needs finish upkeep to fight graying and moss	Cleaning and refinishing every 1-3 years	15-25 years
Composite decking	Doesn't absorb water or rot; can still grow surface moss/mildew if not cleaned	Periodic washing, no staining or sealing	25-30+ years
PVC/capped decking	Fully moisture-resistant surface; best option where shade and dampness are constant	Occasional washing	30+ years

We don't push one material on every job. A sunny, open deck can do perfectly well in cedar with regular care. A shaded, low-airflow spot near tree cover — common on a lot of Kendall properties with mature trees and tighter tree lines — is usually money better spent on composite or capped decking, because no amount of sealant fully offsets a site that never fully dries out.

Fasteners and Hardware Matter More Than People Think

Whatever decking you choose, the fasteners holding it down need to match. Hidden fastener systems, coated deck screws rated for ground contact, and joist tape over the framing all add real years to a deck's life in a wet climate for a modest upfront cost. Standard hardware store screws in exposed lumber are one of the fastest ways to see rust streaks and loosening boards within a few seasons.

Railings, Stairs, and Code Requirements

Kendall sits outside Ferndale's city limits, in unincorporated Whatcom County, so deck permits and inspections for the area typically go through Whatcom County Planning & Development Services rather than city hall. As a general rule, decks built more than 30 inches above grade require a permit and a code-compliant guardrail, and stairs need consistent rise-and-run and proper handrail attachment. We handle the permit process as part of the job rather than leaving it for the homeowner to sort out, and we build to code whether or not a given project happens to require a permit.

Railings deserve the same material thinking as decking. A wood rail cap takes constant hand contact and weather exposure at the same time, which is a tough combination in a damp climate — it's often the first part of a deck to show wear, even when the boards underfoot are holding up fine.

Moss, Mildew, and Long-Term Maintenance

No deck in this part of Washington is maintenance-free, including composite. The difference between a deck that looks good at year ten and one that doesn't usually comes down to a short list of habits:

Sweep debris and fallen leaves off regularly — trapped organic matter is what feeds moss growth
Wash the deck surface at least once a year with a deck cleaner appropriate to the material (pressure washing wood too aggressively can damage the grain)
Keep gutters and downspouts directing water away from the deck footprint, not onto it
Check and re-seal wood decking on the manufacturer's recommended schedule, not "whenever it looks dry"
Trim back overhanging branches and nearby vegetation to let sunlight and air reach the deck surface
Inspect ledger flashing and post bases yearly for staining or softness — catching it early is a cleaning job; catching it late is a rebuild

Our Deck Building Process

We keep the process straightforward from first visit to final walkthrough:

Site visit and assessment — we look at drainage, sun exposure, soil, and how the deck ties into the house before recommending anything
Design and material selection — sized to the space and matched to how the site actually drains and dries
Permitting — handled on our end when the project requires it
Construction — proper footings, flashing, framing, and fastening first; decking and railings last
Final walkthrough — we go over the finished deck and what upkeep it needs, in plain terms

Why Hire a Crew That Already Works in Kendall

A deck built to a generic spec sheet and a deck built for this specific climate can look identical on installation day. The difference shows up two or three winters later. Crews who work regularly around Ferndale and greater Whatcom County know which details aren't optional here — the ledger flashing, the fastener grade, the drainage slope, the airflow underneath — because we've seen what happens when those details get skipped. That's not something you can fully judge from a glossy brochure or a low bid; it comes from having actually built and repaired decks through a few of this region's wet seasons.

We also know the practical side of building here: typical soil conditions on area lots, what Whatcom County inspectors look for, and how to sequence a build around our rainier months instead of fighting them.

What Affects the Cost of a Kendall Deck

Factor	Why It Matters
Size and shape	Square footage and complexity (multiple levels, angles) drive material and labor time
Decking material	Pressure-treated costs less upfront; composite and PVC cost more but need far less ongoing maintenance
Height and stairs	Taller decks need engineered footings and code-compliant guardrails and stairs
Railing style	Wood, metal, and cable railings vary widely in material and installation cost
Site access and grading	Sloped or hard-to-access lots, common around Kendall's more wooded properties, add labor
Permitting	County permit and inspection requirements apply to most decks over 30 inches high

Exact numbers depend on the site and the choices you make, which is why we walk every property in person before quoting rather than pricing off a phone call.

If you're planning a new deck or need an honest look at repairing an existing one, we're happy to come take a look. Use the form below to request a free, no-pressure estimate — we'll walk the site, talk through material options for your specific spot, and give you a straight answer on what it needs.