For the work around the drawing
Better prepared on site.
Clearer at every handoff.
Practical checklists, contractor guides, and field tools to help you organize the job, prepare the drawings, and keep the next conversation moving.
Free field tool
Your next site visit starts with a good sketch.
Add your company logo, choose the grid and project fields, and download a print-ready field sketch PDF. No account or email required.
The resource library
See the workflow
Add a bay. Add stairs. Export your plans.
See how deck parts become automatic framing, dimensions, elevations, and material takeoffs—with no line-by-line drafting.
See automatic deck plansCode references
National Deck Code Publications and Span Table Links
A national reference hub for IRC deck sections, AWC DCA 6 deck guides, span calculators, product evaluation reports, and deck connection publications.
Explore resourcePermit and HOA docs
Deck Permit and HOA Documents for Trex, TimberTech, and Deckorators
Common decking and railing documents to submit with a county deck permit or HOA application, including Trex, TimberTech, and Deckorators ESR, CCRR, TER, BPER, installation, and product documents.
Explore resourceSoftware comparison
Deck Design Software Comparison for Contractors and Homeowners
Compare deck design software by workflow, drawings, takeoffs, and savings evidence. See how DeckDraft creates simple decks and helps reduce decking waste and footings.
Explore resourceModern deck CAD
Modern Deck CAD Software for Deck, Porch, and Patio Builders
Compare DeckDraft with RedX Decks, SketchUp, Chief Architect, and VizTerra for browser-based deck drafting, blocking, takeoffs, AI help, and SketchUp ZIP export.
Explore resourceGround-up guide
Deck Building Guide: Footings, Posts, Ledgers, Framing, Rails
A ground-up deck planning guide covering frost depth, footing size, post bases, treated posts, ledger attachment, framing spans, rail posts, and lateral load connections.
Explore resourcePermit planning
Deck Permit Plan Checklist for Contractors
A practical deck permit plan checklist covering site context, framing views, elevations, details, notes, and review items before submittal.
Explore resourceEstimating
Deck Material Takeoff Checklist
A contractor-focused deck material takeoff checklist for reviewing decking, framing, railing, footings, hardware, and waste assumptions.
Explore resourceFraming review
Deck Framing Plan Checklist
A deck framing plan checklist for reviewing joists, beams, posts, footings, cantilevers, stairs, guards, and field-verification notes.
Explore resourceContracts
Deck Contract Checklist: Scope, Payments, Changes, Warranty
A practical deck contract checklist covering scope of work, drawings, materials, permits, payment milestones, change orders, warranty language, and closeout notes.
Explore resourceProposal writing
Deck Scope of Work Template for Estimates and Proposals
A deck scope-of-work template contractors can use to organize project description, materials, framing, railing, stairs, permits, exclusions, and allowances.
Explore resourceChange orders
Deck Change Order Checklist for Contractors
A deck change order checklist covering layout revisions, material substitutions, hidden conditions, permit impacts, schedule impacts, pricing, and written approval.
Explore resourceHomeowner guide
Questions to Ask a Deck Contractor Before Hiring
A homeowner-friendly list of questions to ask a deck contractor about licensing, insurance, permits, drawings, materials, payment terms, changes, and warranty.
Explore resourcePermit workflow
Deck Permit Timeline: What Happens Before Build Starts
A deck permit timeline guide covering measurements, design, drawings, engineering triggers, submittal, review comments, revisions, approval, inspections, and closeout.
Explore resourceLicense verification
Home Improvement License Guidelines for Deck Projects
A starter guide for checking home improvement contractor license or registration requirements for deck projects, with official state reference links and a clear disclaimer.
Explore resourceUse these resources alongside your project requirements. Verify local permits, codes, manufacturer instructions, and any engineering needs for the job.