Home › FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Decks, shade structures, enclosures, permits, timelines and free estimates in St. George, UT, answered by a veteran-owned team.
Common Questions
Answers About Decks, Shade & Outdoor Living in St. George
Straight answers to the questions St. George homeowners ask most about decks, railings, privacy screens, louvered roofs, pergolas, patio covers, sunrooms, enclosures, additions and remodels. Don't see your question? Call (435) 301-8298 and talk with our veteran-owned team.
What types of decks do you build in St. George?
We design and build custom decks and patios for homes across St. George and Washington County, including ground-level decks, raised and elevated decks with stairs, and decks on sloped lots. Every deck is planned around your yard, sun exposure and how you want to use the space, and it is built to local code.
Can you add or replace railing on my existing deck?
Yes. We install new and replacement deck and stair railings on existing decks as well as on decks we build. We help you choose a style that suits your home and keeps your views open, and we install it to meet code requirements so family and guests stay safe on raised platforms and stairs.
What are decorative privacy screens used for?
Decorative privacy screens add privacy from neighbors, block low afternoon sun and help break the wind on decks and patios. In St. George they are especially useful on west-facing lots. Screens can also be a design feature, adding pattern and texture, and some can be paired with lighting for an evening glow.
What is the difference between a louvered roof, a pergola and a patio cover?
A patio cover is a solid roof that provides fixed shade and rain protection. A traditional pergola has open slats for partial shade. Louvered roofs and adjustable pergolas have rotating louvers you can open for sun and air or close for shade and rain cover, so you can adjust them through the day and the seasons.
Which shade option works best for desert heat?
It depends on your space and goals. A solid patio cover gives dependable all-day shade. A louvered roof or adjustable pergola lets you block summer sun and let in winter sun. For hot west-facing walls and entries, an awning pergola or privacy screen targets the afternoon exposure. We help you compare options during your free estimate.
What is the difference between a sunroom, a screen porch and a patio enclosure?
A sunroom is a bright room with glass walls that you can enjoy in every season. A screen porch keeps out insects and blowing dust while letting the breeze through. A patio or room enclosure converts an existing covered patio or porch into a protected space using glass or screen panels.
Do you build home additions and handle remodels?
Yes. Along with outdoor living projects, we build home additions and handle kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling and broader home remodeling. The same small, detail-focused team manages your project from the first conversation to the final walkthrough, with clear scope, honest pricing and direct communication at every stage.
Do I need a permit or HOA approval for my project?
Many projects do. Structures are built to Washington County and local city codes, and some shade structures are treated as accessory structures with setback rules. Many St. George neighborhoods also require HOA design review. We explain what your project likely needs and help prepare the details for approval.
What materials hold up best in the Southern Utah sun?
St. George summers bring highs of 105 to 115 degrees, intense UV, wind and monsoon rain, so materials and finishes need to handle heat, sun and moisture. We talk through material options for your specific project, including how each one handles heat, maintenance needs and how it fits your home and HOA guidelines.
How long will my project take?
Timelines depend on the size and type of project, material availability, permit and HOA approvals, and site conditions such as slope or soil. Rather than promise a generic number, we share a clear plan and a realistic timeline up front once your scope is set, and we keep you informed if anything changes.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes. We offer free estimates for decks, railings, privacy screens, louvered roofs, pergolas, patio covers, sunrooms, screen porches, enclosures, additions and remodels. We visit your home, look at the space and sun exposure, listen to your goals and give you an honest, clear price before any work begins.
Do you offer any discounts?
Yes. D.A.D.S. Construction offers discounts for teachers, service workers and seniors. Mention it when you call or request your free estimate, and we will include the discount in your pricing. It is one small way we say thank you to the people who serve our Southern Utah community.
Is D.A.D.S. Construction veteran owned?
Yes. D.A.D.S. Construction is veteran owned and operated, with more than 30 years of construction experience. We bring dedication, integrity and a strong work ethic to every job, and we are licensed and insured. Our goal is to serve the community with professionalism, respect and honest communication.
What areas do you serve?
We are based in St. George, UT and serve Washington City, Hurricane, Leeds, Santa Clara, Ivins and nearby communities such as La Verkin, Toquerville, Veyo, Dammeron Valley, Virgin, Central, Pine Valley, Apple Valley, Rockville, Springdale, Enterprise, New Harmony, Cedar City and Enoch.
How do I contact you to start my project?
Call us at (435) 301-8298 or email dadsconstruction11@gmail.com. You can also request a free estimate through our contact form.
How to Plan Your Outdoor Living Project in St. George
Most homeowners we meet have the same goal: make the backyard comfortable for more of the year. In Southern Utah, that usually means shade first, then protection from wind, dust and insects, and finally a space that fits how your family actually lives. These steps help you go into your free estimate prepared.
- Watch the sun: note where the afternoon sun hits your patio, windows and walls. West-facing areas usually need the most shade.
- Decide how you will use the space: dining, lounging, an outdoor kitchen area, a play area or a quiet reading spot all lead to different layouts.
- Choose open or enclosed: decks, patio covers, louvered roofs and pergolas stay open to the air; screen porches, enclosures and sunrooms close the space in.
- Check your HOA rules: many communities have design guidelines for structures, colors and materials.
- Set a budget range: sharing a realistic range helps us suggest options that fit, with honest pricing and no surprises.
Still Have Questions?
If your question is not answered here, we are happy to help. D.A.D.S. Construction is veteran owned and operated, licensed and insured, and brings 30+ years of construction experience to every project. If you can dream it, we can build it.
- Call: (435) 301-8298
- Email: dadsconstruction11@gmail.com
- Explore: see all of our services, the areas we serve and our project gallery.
- Get started: request your free estimate.
What Else Do St. George Homeowners Ask Before Building?
Beyond the basics above, most questions we hear fall into four areas: permits and Washington County codes, HOA approval, how materials hold up to UV, red dust and monsoon storms, and how the estimate and scheduling process works. The answers below go into more detail so you can plan with confidence before your free estimate.
Which projects usually need a building permit in Washington County?
Permit rules are set by each city and the county, but as a general guide, structural work tends to need one. That often includes raised decks, roofed structures attached to the house, enclosures that change how a space is used, home additions and remodels that move plumbing, wiring or walls. We confirm the requirements for your address during planning.
Can a patio cover or louvered roof go close to the property line?
Not always. Some shade structures are treated as accessory structures with setback rules, which control how close they can sit to property lines. We measure during the site visit and design the footprint to fit those limits, so you are not surprised during plan review.
How does HOA approval work?
Most HOAs ask for a simple submission before exterior work begins. Requirements vary, but the process usually looks like this:
- Get the guidelines: request your community's current design rules for structures, colors and materials.
- Prepare the submission: we help assemble the drawings, dimensions and material or color details the committee needs.
- Submit and wait for review: the HOA reviews the plan and may approve it or ask for changes.
- Adjust if needed: we revise the design to meet any conditions before applying for permits.
- Build once approved: work is scheduled only after the approvals are in hand.
How do I maintain a deck or cover in UV and red dust?
Regular rinsing does most of the work. Red dust settles into louvers, screen mesh and deck board gaps, and it is easier to remove before it builds up. A few simple habits help:
- Hose off decks, covers and screens after wind or dust storms.
- Use mild soap and a soft brush rather than harsh cleaners on finished surfaces.
- Check gutters and louver drainage paths before monsoon season.
- Inspect wood finishes yearly and recoat when they start to fade.
Will my shade structure handle monsoon storms?
Late-summer monsoons bring short, heavy rain and strong gusts. Covers and louvered roofs are planned with drainage so water runs away from the house and walkways, and posts are anchored for wind. On louvered systems, closing the louvers turns the roof into rain cover.
Who qualifies for your discounts?
We offer discounts for teachers, service workers and seniors. Just mention it when you call or request your estimate and it will be reflected in your pricing.
What happens after I request an estimate?
We contact you to set a site visit, look at the space together, and then share a clear scope, material options and timeline. You can browse our project gallery for ideas, compare all of our services or check the areas we serve before you request your free estimate today.
