Deck and Outdoor Living Builder on Mercer Island, WA
On Mercer Island, the deck is usually about the view, of the lake, the Seattle skyline or the Cascades, and the projects we do there aim to make that view easier to enjoy: replacing solid railings with glass, adding a covered section so the deck works in the rain, and rebuilding older decks on slopes toward the water. We reach the island in about twenty minutes.
Get a Free Design & Quote — we will plan around the view you bought the house for.
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Mercer Island yards and what they need
Mid-century homes with lake-facing slopes. Elevated decks, glass railings, low-profile covers.
Steep banks to the shore. Multi-level decks, stairs down the bank, work under shoreline rules.
Flatter, larger lots. Covered patios, paver terraces, pergolas.
Wooded lots with mature trees. Decks planned around protected trees, composite boards for shade.
Mercer Island permits for decks
Mercer Island's Community Planning and Development reviews decks, covered structures and work near the shoreline. The island regulates tree removal by size and species, and footings near large trees need care. Roofed structures may count toward the island's gross floor area or coverage limits on some lots, and waterfront properties need a shoreline exemption or permit for most work. We prepare the submittal and the tree and shoreline documents. What the city reviews, and how long it takes, is in our deck permit guide.
Things we design around on Mercer Island
- Tree retention rules on wooded lots.
- Shoreline jurisdiction on waterfront and near-shore lots.
- Floor-area and coverage limits when adding a roof.
- Views of neighbors as well as your own, which favor low, open structures.
- Steep banks needing engineered footings and long stairs.
Mercer Island areas we build in
Mercer Island deck and patio questions
Can I replace my wood railing with glass without rebuilding the deck?
Usually yes, if the posts or rim can carry the glass system's loads. We reinforce where needed.
Does a covered deck count toward my floor area?
On some lots, a roofed area can count toward the island's limits. We check the numbers for your lot before design.
Can you build stairs down to the waterfront?
Yes, under shoreline review, with footings designed for the bank.
How long do Mercer Island permits take?
Longer than most Eastside cities, especially with shoreline or tree review; we plan the schedule accordingly.
Reaching us from Mercer Island
Hans Construction serves Mercer Island from 12006 98th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034, about twenty minutes via I-405 and I-90. +1(425) 518-1187.
Send a photo of the view from the deck. We will keep it.