About PermitDeck
Built by a firefighter who got tired of watching homeowners get the runaround from permit offices and lead-selling directories.
PermitDeck is run by Brian Williams, a 25-year career firefighter based in Kansas City, Kansas. Brian started the site after one too many conversations with homeowners who couldn't get a permit question answered, couldn't reach a contractor who would actually call back, and couldn't tell which of the 8 Angi quotes flooding their inbox was real.
The goal here is simple. When you land on a PermitDeck page, you should get a clear answer, a verified contractor with a real phone number, and no hidden fees waiting behind a form. Homeowners shouldn't have to sign up for a newsletter to find out if they need a deck permit.
Meet the founder
Brian Williams, 25-year career firefighter, Kansas City, Kansas. Author of most of what you read on this site.
Read Brian's full bioHow this site is different
Every contractor is verified
License numbers checked against state agency records. Websites reachable. Location confirmed. Our full methodology is public.
How we verify contractorsContractors never pay per lead
Free directory listings through at least April 2027. No per-lead fees, no contracts, no lead sold to 8 people. One inquiry goes to one contractor.
PermitDeck vs. AngiHow the content gets made
Brian writes and edits most of what you read here. For the volume of cost data and state permit pages we publish, he uses AI tools to draft first passes and pull together research from BLS data, state licensing boards, IRS publications, and municipal permit offices. Every page then gets reviewed against authoritative sources before it goes live.
Contractor listings are never AI-generated.Every deck builder, electrician, and tree service in our directory is researched manually and verified against the business's own website, state license records, and public review platforms. If a listing fails re-verification, it gets pulled.
Editorial standards
- Location-specific, not template-swapped. Every cost figure and permit rule is specific to the state or city it covers. No generic national averages dressed up as local data.
- Source-linked. Permit guidance cites the actual state agency or city permit office. Cost data cites BLS, NAHB, or regional construction indices.
- Independent. No affiliate deals on contractor listings. No paid ranking. Nothing on this site can be bought.
- Honest about limits. When we don't know something, we say so and point you to the state or city department that does.
Questions or a listing that looks wrong?
Email Brian directly. He reads every one.