Engineered Deck Construction Plan
Budget: $250 – $750 USD
I am building the house shown in the attachment and now need a complete set of engineered drawings for a large (over 300 sq ft) composite-surfaced deck built on a post-and-beam frame. I want plans detailed enough that I can follow them on site without guesswork, including exact footing locations, beam sizing, joist layout, fastening schedules, hardware specs, and all code-compliant bracing.
The point that has me stuck is the vertical support posts: 6 × 6 stock long enough to run continuously from grade to the roofline is unavailable here. I need the drawings to show a practical, code-approved way to break that run—whether the first segment terminates just below deck level, with a new section spliced or posted above, and whether the upper segment can step down to 4 × 4 or must remain 6 × 6. Please spell out any required connectors, through-bolts, or steel plates so that load transfer and lateral resistance are crystal-clear.
Deliverables I expect:
• Stamped structural drawings in PDF plus the original CAD file (DWG or equivalent)
• A concise framing and hardware schedule
• Step-by-step erection notes addressing post splicing, bracing layout, and decking installation sequence
• Material take-off for lumber, composite boards, and hardware
I will review the package with my local inspector, so reference the 2021 IRC wherever applicable. If anything in the field still raises questions, I may ask for one round of minor revisions, which I would like included up front.
Project is in Lincolnton, Georgia.
The point that has me stuck is the vertical support posts: 6 × 6 stock long enough to run continuously from grade to the roofline is unavailable here. I need the drawings to show a practical, code-approved way to break that run—whether the first segment terminates just below deck level, with a new section spliced or posted above, and whether the upper segment can step down to 4 × 4 or must remain 6 × 6. Please spell out any required connectors, through-bolts, or steel plates so that load transfer and lateral resistance are crystal-clear.
Deliverables I expect:
• Stamped structural drawings in PDF plus the original CAD file (DWG or equivalent)
• A concise framing and hardware schedule
• Step-by-step erection notes addressing post splicing, bracing layout, and decking installation sequence
• Material take-off for lumber, composite boards, and hardware
I will review the package with my local inspector, so reference the 2021 IRC wherever applicable. If anything in the field still raises questions, I may ask for one round of minor revisions, which I would like included up front.
Project is in Lincolnton, Georgia.