Locally owned · Woman-owned · Work guaranteed in writing

Deck Repair and Building in Eden Prairie, MN

From one soft board to a full rebuild, built to stand up to Minnesota winters.

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Work guaranteed in writingDecks and stairsBackground-checked craftsmenFences and gatesLocally owned and woman-ownedBasement finishingBathroom remodelingCarpentry and built-insServing 19 southwest metro townsDrywall and paintingWork guaranteed in writingDecks and stairsBackground-checked craftsmenFences and gatesLocally owned and woman-ownedBasement finishingBathroom remodelingCarpentry and built-insServing 19 southwest metro townsDrywall and painting

What a Minnesota winter does to a deck

Deck repair in Eden Prairie usually starts in spring, when the snow melts off and shows what the winter did: boards cupped from months under snow, railing posts loosened by frost, and stairs that moved because their footings sat too shallow. We start by checking the structure under the surface, the ledger, joists, posts and footings, then quote either targeted repairs or a rebuild and explain the reason for each. Call (952) 563-8484 for an estimate, backed by our one-year written workmanship guarantee.

Minnesota's residential code calls for deck footings below the frost line, 42 inches deep in the southern half of the state, because frozen soil heaves anything set shallower. A lot of decks on the walkout lots around Purgatory Creek, Staring Lake and Bryant Lake were built with their stairs sitting on pads at grade, which is why those stairs pull away from the deck a little more every year. Most of the homes in Eden Prairie went up between the 1970s and the early 2000s, so many of their original decks are now 20 to 40 years old, past the point where a coat of stain is enough.

We repair, rebuild and build new decks in cedar, pressure-treated lumber and composite across Eden Prairie and the southwest metro, from small ground-level decks to second-story decks over a walkout with long stair runs.

Before you call

Signs your deck needs attention

Soft or spongy boards

Press a screwdriver into the boards near the house and around the stairs. If it sinks in easily, the wood has started to rot. One or two soft boards can be replaced; soft boards everywhere usually mean the framing underneath is wet too.

A railing that moves

Push on the railing posts. Any give is a safety problem, because railings are what stop a fall from a second-story deck. Loose posts are often a sign that the bolts or the rim joist behind them have deteriorated.

Stairs pulling away

A gap opening between the top step and the deck, or stairs that tilt, almost always means the stair footing is above the frost line and the ground is lifting it each winter.

Rust and stains at the house

Rust streaks or dark stains on the siding below the deck point to water getting behind the ledger board, where the deck attaches to the house. That connection carries half the deck's weight.

Cupped, split or popped boards

Boards that curl at the edges, split along the grain or lift their fasteners have been through too many wet and frozen cycles. They are a trip hazard and they hold water against the joists below.

Posts sitting on the ground

Posts set directly on the soil or on a thin pad, rather than on a footing, wick up moisture and move with the frost. You can often see the bottom of the post darkening or splitting.

Repair or rebuild: we show you the structure first

Surface boards are inexpensive to replace. Rotted joists, a ledger without flashing, or posts sitting on failing footings are not, and covering them with new boards only hides the problem until it gets worse. Our craftsmen check the deck from underneath as well as from above, look at every post and the ledger connection, and show you what they find. If the framing is sound, we recommend repairing the boards, railings and stairs and keeping the structure. If it is not, we explain why a rebuild is the better spend, and we keep any framing that is still good.

Two-story deck stairs landing on a paver patio

How it works

How a deck project runs

01
Call or request an estimate
Tell us what you are seeing and send a few photos of the deck, the stairs and the area underneath. Call (952) 563-8484 or use the estimate form.
02
On-site look at the structure
We check the boards, railings, stairs, joists, ledger, posts and footings, take measurements, and talk through what you want the deck to do for you.
03
A written estimate
You get a written estimate that separates required structural repairs from optional upgrades, such as new railings or composite boards, so you can decide what to do now and what can wait.
04
Permits and scheduling
When the work needs a building permit from your city, it is part of the plan before work starts. We schedule the job and give you an expected timeline.
05
The work, and the guarantee
A background-checked craftsman does the work and cleans up. When the job is done, the workmanship is guaranteed in writing for one year from the invoice date.

Materials

Cedar, pressure-treated or composite

Pressure-treated lumber

The most common framing material and the lowest-cost decking. It holds up well when it is kept sealed, but it checks and splits as it dries, and it needs staining every few years to stay looking good. Nearly every deck, whatever the boards are made of, is framed with treated lumber.

Cedar

Naturally resistant to rot and insects, lighter in weight and better looking than treated boards, with a warm color that weathers to silver if it is left unstained. It costs more than treated lumber and still needs regular cleaning and stain in our climate.

Composite decking

Costs the most up front but does not rot, splinter or need staining, and it handles months under snow without cupping. It is a strong choice for shaded decks under trees, where wood stays damp, and for owners who do not want a staining job every few years. Composite boards can often be installed on existing framing that is still sound.

Cost

What affects the cost of deck work

Repair versus rebuild

Replacing boards and railings on good framing costs a fraction of a rebuild. The condition of the structure underneath is the biggest single factor.

Size and height

Larger decks need more material, and second-story decks over a walkout need taller posts, larger footings and more stair, all of which add labor.

Decking and railing materials

Treated lumber is the least expensive, then cedar, then composite. Aluminum and metal baluster railings cost more than wood but stop needing paint.

Stairs and footings

Rebuilding stairs on footings below the frost line takes digging and concrete, and long stair runs on sloped lots take more of both.

Access and permits

Tight yards, steep grades and the permit requirements in your city all affect the schedule and the labor involved.

Permits for deck work

Building a new deck, and rebuilding much of an existing one, generally requires a building permit from your city under the Minnesota residential code. Low, small, freestanding decks are sometimes exempt, but a deck attached to the house or high enough to need a railing almost always needs a permit and an inspection of the footings and framing. Requirements vary between Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Minnetonka and the other cities we serve, so we confirm what your project needs before the work starts.

Craftsman installing a deck railing post

Decks we have repaired and built

Rebuilt two-level deck with stained railings

Cedar deck boards with black aluminum railing

Cedar deck with a pergola and wide stairs

Second-story balcony deck with new wood railing

Deck repair across the southwest metro

We repair and build decks in Eden Prairie and every town in our service area.

Start here

Get your deck ready for summer

Spring and early summer book up first. Call (952) 563-8484 to get on the schedule.

(952) 563-8484

Monday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM · Tuesday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM · Wednesday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM · Thursday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM · Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM · Saturday: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM · Sunday: Closed

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Frequently asked questions

Should I repair my deck or replace it?

If the framing and footings are sound, repairing boards, railings and stairs is usually the better value. If the joists are rotting, the ledger has failed or the footings have heaved, a rebuild costs less over time. We check the structure and explain which applies to your deck.

Why are my deck stairs pulling away from the deck?

Usually because the stairs sit on a pad or footing above the frost line, so frozen soil lifts them each winter. Rebuilding them on footings below the frost line stops the movement.

How deep do deck footings need to be in Minnesota?

In the southern half of Minnesota, including the Twin Cities, footings need to reach 42 inches below grade so they sit below the frost line.

Do I need a permit for a deck in Eden Prairie?

New decks and many deck rebuilds require a building permit from the city, and requirements vary by height, size and attachment to the house. We confirm what your project needs before work starts.

Do you build with composite decking?

Yes. We build with composite as well as cedar and pressure-treated lumber, and we can replace worn wood boards with composite on existing framing that is in good shape.

Can you replace just the railing?

Yes. Many older decks have railings that are too low or have gaps that are too wide. We replace them with wood or aluminum railings at a safe height and spacing.

When is the best time to stain a deck in Minnesota?

Late spring through early fall, once the wood is dry and temperatures stay above the stain manufacturer's minimum overnight. Staining before winter helps the wood shed snowmelt.

How long does deck work take?

Board and railing repairs often take a day or two. Rebuilds and new decks take longer and can depend on permit inspections. Your estimate includes an expected timeline.

Can you build a deck on a sloped lot?

Yes. Many decks in Eden Prairie, Chanhassen and Savage sit over walkouts on sloped lots. Taller posts, larger footings and longer stair runs are part of the plan.

Is deck work covered by your guarantee?

Yes. Our workmanship is guaranteed in writing for one year from the invoice date. If a defect in our work appears in that time, we repair it free of charge under the terms of your agreement.