Remodel
Decks & Screened Porches in Lake Norman & Mooresville, NC
If you live on Lake Norman, the porch or deck is half the reason you bought the house. We build new decks and screened porches, expand existing footprints, and rebuild decks that have aged past repair. Composite or treated lumber, cedar tongue-and-groove ceilings, aluminum screen frames, and ceiling fans pre-wired for power.
New decks, screened porches, and full deck rebuilds priced $10,000 to $28,000 fixed-scope. Lake Norman porches typically run 12x16 to 16x20 feet with cedar ceilings, composite decking, and aluminum screen frames. 2–4 weeks of active construction once permits clear.
Price range
$10,000 – $28,000
Fixed-scope contract. Set at your on-site walkthrough.
Lakefront decks and porches involve setback rules, shoreline buffer zones, and Lake Norman lake-use permitting that varies by county (Iredell vs Mecklenburg vs Catawba). We handle the permit application and coordinate with your HOA where required. Add 2–4 weeks to the project timeline for permit approvals on lakefront builds.
What's included
- Footings, posts, beams, and joist framing per local code
- Decking material install (composite, PT lumber, or cedar)
- Railings, balusters, and stair construction
- Screen frame install for screened porches (aluminum or wood)
- Cedar tongue-and-groove ceiling for porches
- Pre-wire for ceiling fans or pendant lighting
- Permit pulling and structural inspections
- Stain or sealant on PT lumber and exposed wood
- Old deck demo and haul-away on rebuilds
- Final cleanup and ground restoration around footings
What's not included
- Electrical fan, fixture, or outlet install (handled by licensed sub; included on quote)
- Stone or masonry pier construction
- Outdoor kitchens or built-in grill stations
- Hot tub electrical and structural reinforcement
- Roofing over screened porches (separate scope; we partner with a roofer)
Typical timeline
2–4 weeks of active construction once permits clear.
Fixed-price contract. Any scope change requires a signed change order before work proceeds.
Questions we get about decks & screened porches
What does a screened porch cost in Lake Norman?
A 16x20 ft screened porch with cedar ceiling, composite decking, aluminum screen frame, and ceiling fan pre-wire runs $18,000–$24,000 in our market. Smaller 12x14 porches start around $14,000. Add-ons like stone fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, or composite ceiling material push above $25,000.
Do I need a permit for a deck in Mooresville or Cornelius?
Yes. Any new deck, expansion, or full rebuild requires a building permit in Mooresville, Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, and unincorporated Iredell County. Permits take 1–3 weeks to issue depending on the jurisdiction and whether your property is in a flood zone or shoreline buffer. We handle the application; you cover the permit fee at cost.
Composite decking or pressure-treated lumber: which is better?
Composite (Trex, TimberTech) costs roughly 2x more upfront but lasts 25+ years with no staining, sealing, or splinter repair. PT lumber costs less but needs re-staining every 2–3 years in the Lake Norman climate. For lake homes and main-living porches, composite usually wins on lifetime cost. For utility decks or rebuilds where budget is tight, PT is fine.
Can you rebuild my deck while keeping the existing footprint?
Yes. Full rebuilds on the same footprint are among our most common projects. We demo the old deck, inspect or replace footings as needed, rebuild with current code-compliant framing, and finish with your chosen decking material. Rebuilds run 70–80% of the cost of a brand-new build because the layout and footings often need updating to current code anyway.
Do you handle lakefront permits and HOA approvals?
Yes. Lakefront builds involve shoreline buffer rules, Duke Energy lake-use permits where applicable, and HOA architectural review. We've worked with Iredell, Mecklenburg, and Catawba county permitting offices and most Lake Norman HOAs. Plan for 2–4 weeks added to the timeline for these approvals.
Can you screen in an existing covered porch?
Yes, and it's one of the highest-value projects we do. Converting an existing covered porch to a screened space runs $8,000–$14,000 depending on size, ceiling work, and electrical. The structure is already in place; we add the screen frame system, finish the ceiling, and add fan pre-wire.