Can you calculate a beam size from a photo?

Photos alone are rarely enough. Accurate spans, loads, support conditions and material information are usually required.

Are calculations separate from drawings?

They may be. The quote will explain whether the package includes calculation sheets, updated drawings or both.

Can calculations be electronically sealed?

When permitted by the jurisdiction and agreed to by the licensed professional, digital signing and sealing may be possible.

Can you approve an existing structure from calculations?

An existing structure may require field investigation and additional evidence; calculations alone do not establish actual construction condition.

How do I know exactly which drawings my permit office requires?

Send the property address and a short description of the proposed work. We use the jurisdiction and project type to define the likely drawing scope before drafting begins. Final submittal requirements remain subject to the reviewing authority.

Can I send an existing survey, sketch, photos or permit comments?

Yes. Existing surveys, recorded plats, sketches, photos, prior plans and correction comments can all help establish the drawing scope and reduce avoidable assumptions.

Do you work with projects nationwide?

Yes. Deck Permit Plans supports projects across the United States. Because permit procedures vary by city and county, we check the project location before finalizing the scope.

Can you guarantee that the permit will be approved without comments?

No. Approval is controlled by the reviewing jurisdiction. Our process is designed to make the drawings clear, coordinated and responsive to the known submittal requirements, and we support in-scope permit comments when they occur.

Can I get calculations without drawings?

Usually the reviewer needs both: calculations prove the design and drawings show how to build it. If you already have drawings, we can prepare calculations to match them.

How do I know if my project needs calculations?

Send the project details. We check it against the prescriptive code and tell you if calculations are required.

Who signs the calculations?

Where a signature is required, a licensed engineer reviews and signs, subject to their independent evaluation and acceptance of the design.

PROJECT-SPECIFIC STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

Deck Engineering & Calculations

Engineering support for decks beyond standard details.

For complex elevations, spans, roof loads, unusual supports or city engineering comments, we coordinate structural analysis and calculation packages tailored to the deck and jurisdiction.

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Homeowners · Deck contractors · Nationwide remote drafting

DRAWINGS / ENGINEERING / PERMIT SUPPORT

01 / THE SERVICE

What we can help with.

Engineering calculations, drawings and licensed PE sealing are different services. Any sealed engineering must be independently reviewed and accepted by a properly licensed professional for the jurisdiction.

Common project situations

Unusually long spans or cantilevers
Second-story or multi-level deck
Roof-covered deck or special concentrated load
Written structural calculation request

02 / YOUR DELIVERABLES

What your project package may include.

Every quote identifies the exact drawings, reports and services included. Not every project needs every item.

Design criteria

Applicable assumptions, loading and materials

Member checks

Joists, beams, posts and support reactions

Connection engineering

Ledger attachments, anchors, bracing and uplift as required

Foundation coordination

Footing reactions, bearing assumptions and design information

Professional deliverables

Calculation report and coordinated details as contracted

Connection and stair construction detail example

03 / ACTUAL DRAWING EXAMPLES

See the details, not just promises.

Explore a real deck drawing example from our sample collection, then browse the complete nine-sheet permit package to see how the plans work together.

Explore the nine-sheet sample set →Open sample PDF →

04 / STARTING INFORMATION

What we need to begin.

You can request a quote even if you do not have every document. Share what you have and we will identify what is missing.

Full project address and jurisdiction
Deck structural plans and dimensions
Height, materials and connection information
Reviewer comments or engineering request

05 / HOW IT WORKS

Four simple steps.

Share details

Send the address, project description and files.

Review and quote

We clarify scope, pricing and an estimated schedule.

Prepare the work

We develop the agreed drawings or coordinate professional review.

Review and receive

Review the deliverables and receive contracted final files.

06 / SCOPE & PRICE

Custom engineering quotation

Pricing depends on your deck, documents, jurisdiction and requested scope. Additional engineering, surveying and PE sealing are included only when expressly quoted.

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07 / FREQUENT QUESTIONS

Questions about this service.

Do all decks need engineering calculations?

No. Appropriate prescriptive designs may be accepted, depending on the project and jurisdiction.

Can you calculate beams and joists?

Yes, within a properly defined engineering scope.

Do calculations come with a PE stamp?

Not automatically; licensed review and sealing must be expressly contracted and professionally accepted.

09 / START YOUR PROJECT

Tell us about your deck.

One clear form, no complicated technical questions. Send the property address and any sketches, photos, surveys or city review comments you already have.

Deck Permit Plans is a service brand of Site Plans LLC. Engineering and professional sealing are subject to licensed professional review and acceptance; permit approval remains with the jurisdiction.

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Share your project details and optional drawings.