Build a Complete Small Outdoor Structure

A. Finished-Project Specification

Deliverable: one approved small detached outdoor structure — the deck-and-pergola design with an integrated privacy-screen or low-rail section, or the fully designed alternate shed — built from inspected footings through finished surfaces, with every required inspection passed and a complete closeout record compiled.

B. Assessed Build Schedule (Component Schedule)

Component	Quantity	Format	Standard	Preparation / Purpose
Design selection record	1	Worksheet	Approved option chosen before procurement	Locks the design before materials are ordered
Site and layout package	1	Sketch + measurements	Property, utility, and layout verification per Projects 01 and 03	Confirms buildable, squared structure lines
Footing and post record	1	Photos + inspection sign-off	Accepted bearing, concrete, and post plumb per Projects 04–05	Confirms the structural base is sound
Framing record	1	Photos + inspection sign-off	Squared, connected, braced framing per the selected design	Confirms the load path before concealment
Enclosure and access record	1	Photos + measurements	Decking, guards, rails, walls, pergola, or roof per design	Confirms safe, complete occupiable or usable structure
Final inspection and deficiency log	1	Signed checklist	Every deficiency corrected and rechecked	Authorizes handoff
Closeout and maintenance package	1	Compiled binder	All records and instructions included	Supports Book 21 reference and ongoing maintenance

C. Material and Resource Takeoff

• Structural materials: lumber, connectors, fasteners, and concrete matched to the approved footing schedule, framing plan, and connection details for the selected design.
• Enclosure materials: decking or subfloor, guard and rail components or wall framing, pergola members, and roofing coordination as specified by the design option.
• Finish materials: siding, trim, hardware, gates, latches, caps, and finish or sealer products compatible with the selected structure.
• Documentation: the site plan, structural drawings, footing schedule, connection details, permit, and every inspection record required for closeout.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Design and site	Approved capstone design selected before procurement; property, utility, and drainage conditions verified
Footings and posts	Footings on accepted bearing, concrete cured and inspected, posts plumb, aligned, and connected before framing loads apply
Framing	Frame square, connected, and braced, with the required framing inspection passed before concealment
Enclosure and access	Decking or floor, guards, rails, walls, pergola, or roof completed to the approved geometry and load path
Hardware and finish	Gates, latches, siding, trim, and finish installed, operated, and free of pinch, sharp-edge, or slam hazards
Final inspection	Every deficiency identified, corrected, and rechecked before sign-off
Closeout record	Complete layout, footing, framing, inspection, material, and maintenance documentation compiled and handed off

E. Design Selection and Pre-Construction Planning

1. Select the approved capstone design before procurement. Choose the preferred small freestanding deck-and-pergola design with one privacy-screen or low-rail section, or the fully designed alternate small shed.
2. Obtain the complete plan set for the selected design. Gather the site plan, structural drawings, footing schedule, connection details, stair or rail details, material schedule, drainage plan, permit conditions, and required inspection sequence.
3. Verify property lines, setbacks, easements, utilities, height limits, lot coverage, drainage, and HOA conditions. Confirm the selected design fits every recorded restriction before ordering materials.
4. Complete utility locating for the capstone site. Do not proceed to layout until the locate is confirmed and marked.
5. Perform the Chapter 1 readiness inspection for this site. Confirm the site conditions record, drainage assessment, and structure-type rationale are current for the selected design.

F. Work Area, Layout, and Footings

1. Prepare the Chapter 2 work area. Establish storage, cutting, lifting, fall-protection, concrete, weather, and public-control measures for the full build duration.
2. Inventory and inspect all materials before use. Confirm lumber, decking or floor material, posts, connectors, fasteners, concrete, trim, hardware, and finish products match the approved schedule, and confirm treatment, grade, exterior rating, and corrosion compatibility.
3. Establish the baseline, corners, structure lines, post centers, footing centers, openings, stairs, screens, walls, and finished elevations. Square and document the completed layout before excavation.
4. Excavate footings to accepted soil and the approved dimensions. Install reinforcement, forms, anchors, or post bases per the connection details.
5. Complete the required footing inspection before placing concrete. Place and cure concrete, then verify anchor position and footing elevations before loading.

G. Posts and Structural Framing

1. Set, brace, plumb, and align posts on the accepted footings. Treat all field cuts and exposed end grain.
2. Install beams on approved bearing or connectors. For the deck option, install rim members, joists, blocking, ties, and permanent bracing; for the shed option, install skids, supports, floor framing, blocking, anchors, and subfloor.
3. Verify dimensions, diagonals, support, connectors, lateral resistance, and uplift path. Do not proceed until every connection matches the approved schedule.
4. Complete the required framing inspection before any concealment. Photograph all framing and connectors before decking, subfloor, or sheathing covers them.

H. Decking, Access, and Vertical Elements

1. Install decking or floor panels using the approved spacing and fastening system. Preserve drainage and ventilation throughout.
2. Build the approved short stair only if the design requires one. Verify final stair geometry and landing against the approved rise, run, and code requirements.
3. Install the guard, handrail, privacy screen, or wall framing specified by the design, with a verified structural load path for every post and rail or wall connection. Do not rely on surface fastening alone for guard-post resistance.
4. For the pergola option, install beams, rafters, purlins, knee braces, and uplift connectors. For the shed option, frame, brace, and sheath the walls, then frame and sheath the roof without modifying any prefabricated truss, and coordinate the complete weatherproof roofing assembly.

I. Envelope, Hardware, and Finish

1. Install siding, WRB, flashing, trim, clearances, and the shed door where the shed option is used. Maintain drainage and ventilation at every wall base and penetration.
2. Install gates, latches, hinges, hold-open devices, stops, and other project hardware. Control pinch, sharp-edge, and slam hazards, and cycle every moving component repeatedly.
3. Install caps, fascia, trim, and protected terminations. Apply the specified cut-end treatment and exterior finish, keeping drainage paths, utilities, building clearances, and service access open.
4. Remove temporary bracing only after permanent stability is verified. Confirm every stair, gate, door, and latch operates correctly before proceeding to final inspection.

J. Final Inspection, Deficiency Correction, and Closeout

1. Inspect footings, posts, beams, joists, rafters, walls, decking or flooring, stairs, guards, handrails, screens, connectors, fasteners, uplift, bracing, drainage, clearances, and surface hazards. Perform the approved controlled load or stability check.
2. Prepare a final deficiency list, correct every item, and recheck the correction. Complete the required final permit inspection.
3. Clean the site and restore disturbed hardscape and landscaping. Compile utility records, layout, footing measurements, concrete records, inspections, lumber and treatment labels, connector and fastener records, framing photographs, stair and rail measurements, roofing or envelope records, finish products, corrections, and approvals.
4. Provide use, load, cleaning, drainage, coating, fastener, rot, roof, gate, stair, guard, and seasonal-maintenance instructions. Hand off the structure as stable, protected, documented, and approved for its defined use, and document the formal transition to Book 21.