Do I Need A Permit To Build A Deck In Dane County?
Do You Need a Permit to Build a Deck in Dane County? A Straight Answer for Madison-Area Homeowners If you’re planning a new deck anywhere in Dane County — Madison, Middleton, Fitchburg, Sun Prairie, Waunakee, Verona, or the smaller townships in between — the short answer is: almost certainly, yes, you need a permit. Wisconsin […]
Glass Railing Or Cable Railing. How Do I Know?
Cable Railing vs. Glass Railing: Which Is Right for Your Madison Deck? Cable railing and glass railing are the two options most homeowners compare when they want a deck railing that keeps the view open. Both are a clear step up from standard pickets, both look clean and modern, and both keep the sightline clear […]
Creating access to the lake down a 35-degree hillside Slope.
Building a Stairway Down a 35-Degree Cliff: A Shorewood Hills Lakefront Story. Some jobs you can sketch on the back of a napkin in the driveway. This one was not that job. The homeowners in Shorewood Hills had a place with one of the most beautiful views of Lake Mendota, — a house perched on a […]
Is Stainless Steel Cable Railing A Good Fit For My Small Back Yard?
Stainless Steel Cable Railing for Small Yards: The Deck Upgrade That Doesn’t Eat Your Space If you have a small backyard, you already know the math doesn’t work the way the magazines pretend it does. Every square foot counts. Add a deck, and you’ve got a real fear in the back of your mind: is […]
My Builder Tells Me That I Can Pull the Deck Permit. Should That Be a Red Flag?
Imagine this. You’ve finally decided to build the deck you’ve been dreaming about. You’ve met with a contractor, discussed design ideas, and reviewed pricing, and you’re ready to move forward. Then the contractor says: “You’ll need to pull the permit yourself.” For many homeowners, that statement raises an immediate question: “Wait a minute… shouldn’t the […]
How to Build a Backyard You’ll Never Want to Leave
A Woman’s Perspective on Creating an Outdoor Space That Feels Beautiful, Comfortable, Safe, and Deeply Personal For many women, the backyard is not just part of the property. It’s part of life. It’s where coffee tastes better in the morning.It’s where conversations last longer at night.It’s where exhausted moms finally sit down after busy days.It’s […]
How to Interview a Contractor About Retrofitting Your Backyard for Aging in Place
As more homeowners choose to remain in their homes later in life, outdoor living spaces are starting to receive the same attention as kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways when it comes to accessibility and safety. For many families, the backyard is more than just grass and patio furniture. It’s where grandchildren visit. It’s where summer dinners […]
Outdoor Living. Aging-In-Place in Wisconsin.
Aging-In-Place & Wheelchair-Friendly Backyard Living Spaces in Wisconsin: Designing Outdoor Spaces That Restore Freedom, Comfort, and Independence For many homeowners throughout Madison and Dane County, the backyard is far more than just outdoor space behind the house. It’s where: But for homeowners using wheelchairs or dealing with mobility challenges, outdoor spaces can slowly become difficult […]