Licensed & Insured · MD #113079 · Proudly serving Severn, MD
Deck & Porch Building Severn, MD
A properly built deck starts with the footings — everything else follows from getting those right.
Escobar Construction builds decks and porches across Anne Arundel County — new builds, replacements, and additions. We handle the permit, the footings, the framing, and the finish so your outdoor structure is solid and code-compliant. Maryland-licensed since 2017. Free estimates.
Escobar Construction is headquartered right here in Severn — owner Eddy Escobar has been working on homes in this community since 2017. When you call us, you're not waiting on a dispatcher two counties away; we're your neighbors, and we treat your home like one.
What's included
- ✓Permit application and inspection coordination
- ✓Frost-depth footing excavation and concrete pour
- ✓Post, beam, and joist framing
- ✓Ledger board installation with proper flashing
- ✓Decking installation — pressure-treated, composite, or hardwood
- ✓Railing and baluster installation per Maryland code
- ✓Stair framing and installation with proper rise/run
- ✓Cleanup and final walkthrough
How a deck is actually built
A deck that lasts starts underground. Footings need to reach below the frost line — in Maryland, that's 30 inches minimum — so the structure doesn't heave with freeze-thaw cycles. After footings are poured and cured, posts go up, beams set on top, and the joist system gets framed out. The ledger board connection to the house is another critical point: a poorly flashed ledger is the most common source of deck failures and water damage to the house structure behind it.
Decking boards go on after the frame is solid and inspected. Material choice at this stage — pressure-treated lumber, composite decking, or hardwood like Ipe — determines long-term maintenance requirements, appearance, and cost. Composite eliminates annual sealing but costs more upfront. Pressure-treated requires periodic sealing and stain but gives you a natural wood look at a lower material cost. We go over the trade-offs honestly so you choose what fits your situation.
Railings, stairs, and code compliance
Decks over 30 inches above grade require guardrails in Maryland, with specific requirements for height (36 inches minimum, 42 inches on decks serving as exit routes) and baluster spacing (no gap wider than 4 inches). These aren't suggestions — they're what the building inspector verifies, and they exist because falls from deck heights are serious. We frame and install railings to code from the start.
Stairs need to meet rise-and-run requirements (typically 7-3/4 inch max rise, 10 inch min run in Maryland's adoption of the IRC). Landing pads at the bottom need to be on stable ground. If the grade drops steeply, we discuss options for the stair approach before framing starts — it affects the whole layout.
Permits, HOA, and what to check before you build
Decks in Anne Arundel County require a building permit, and the county reviews the structural drawings before issuing it. For larger or elevated decks, stamped engineering drawings may be required. The permit process exists to verify that the structure is safe — the footing size, the ledger attachment method, the railing height. We handle the permit application and the inspection scheduling.
If your property is in an HOA, check the HOA guidelines before starting. Some HOAs have specific rules about deck materials, colors, or size that are separate from county requirements. Neither the county permit nor the HOA approval waits for the other — you need both before breaking ground. We can work with your HOA's requirements as long as they're compatible with safe construction standards.
Working on homes in Severn
Severn's housing mix runs the full range — established single-family neighborhoods like The Provinces and Sandridge, newer master-planned communities such as Arundel Forest, and a solid core of townhome developments popular with Fort Meade and NSA families. That variety means our crews handle everything from updating a 1980s split-level kitchen to installing LVP flooring in a newer townhome built in the 2010s.
Homes here are well-kept but they age like any house does — tile grout cracks, water heaters turn fifteen years old, bathrooms start feeling tired. Because we're local, we can often schedule an estimate faster and get work started sooner than contractors who drive in from outside the county.
Permits and inspections in Anne Arundel County
Most structural changes, plumbing moves, new electrical circuits, or HVAC work in Anne Arundel County require a building permit. As of December 2025, the county moved to online-only permit submissions through its LUN System, and new fire-code amendments took effect in May 2026. Cosmetic updates — flooring, paint, swapping fixtures in the same location — typically don't require a permit, but the line can be less obvious than it sounds.
As a Maryland-licensed contractor (MD #113079), Escobar Construction handles the permit process as part of the job. We pull the permits, schedule the inspections, and make sure the work is code-compliant before we call it finished. You don't have to navigate county paperwork on your own.
Areas we serve near Severn
The Provinces · Sandridge · Severn Woods · Graham Farm · Arundel Forest · Gambrills · Hanover · Millersville
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to build a deck in Anne Arundel County?+
Yes. Any attached deck or freestanding deck over 30 inches above grade requires a building permit in Anne Arundel County. The permit covers structural review of the footings, framing, and ledger attachment, plus a final inspection. We handle the permit as part of the project — it's not something you need to manage separately.
How long does a new deck last?+
A properly built pressure-treated deck with good ledger flashing and below-frost footings should last 20-30 years with periodic maintenance (cleaning, sealing every few years). Composite decking has a longer maintenance-free lifespan and usually comes with a manufacturer warranty. The single biggest factor in deck longevity is whether the footings, ledger, and drainage were done correctly at the start.
Can you replace an existing deck instead of tearing it out?+
Sometimes, but we always assess the existing framing before recommending it. If the posts and joists are in solid condition, we can often replace just the decking boards and railings, which costs significantly less than a full rebuild. If the framing shows rot or the footings are shallow and heaving, a full replacement is the more economical long-term choice. We'll show you exactly what we find.
Does Escobar Construction serve all of Severn, or just certain areas?+
We serve all of Severn and the surrounding Anne Arundel County communities — including Gambrills, Hanover, and Millersville. If you're unsure whether we reach your address, call us or request a free estimate and we'll confirm right away.
Get your free estimate
Tell us about your project — Eddy personally replies, usually within one business day.