Deck builders in Duluth, Minnesota
New decks, rebuilds, stairs and covered decks across the city, from the lakeshore to the top of the hill.
Duluth stretches for miles along Lake Superior and the St. Louis River, from Lakeside and Lester Park in the east to Morgan Park, Gary–New Duluth and Fond du Lac in the west. With 86,697 residents in 2020, it's the largest city in the Twin Ports and the seat of St. Louis County. Much of it sits on a slope that climbs about 800 feet from the lake to the hilltop neighborhoods.
What Duluth deck jobs look like
- Tall decks off the main floor of houses on the downhill side of a street
- Rebuilding older decks that were set on shallow footings or blocks
- Freestanding decks behind homes with brick veneer, where a ledger isn't allowed
- Decks and screened porches facing the lake or the harbor
Shoreland and Park Point
Homes on Park Point, along the lakeshore and by the river can fall under shoreland or floodplain rules. The city's deck packet says shoreland permits may apply to decks and that some sites need surveys and an elevation certificate. Ask the builder to check this before drawings are final.
How permits work in the city
Construction Services and Inspections, in Room 100 of City Hall at 411 West First Street, handles deck permits. Applications go in online at least two weeks before work starts, with a site plan showing zoning setbacks and drawings of the deck. Inspections are scheduled at least 24 hours ahead, and the approved plans have to be on site for each one.
Common questions
Do builders work in every Duluth neighborhood?
Yes. Call with your address and we'll pass your request to a builder who works on your end of the city.
How far ahead should I apply for a Duluth deck permit?
The city asks for applications at least two weeks before work begins.
Services in Duluth
- New decksDecks on 60-inch frost footings, from a back-door landing to a tall deck on a hillside lot.
- Composite and PVC decksBoards that don't need staining, on a new frame or a sound existing one.
- Deck repair and replacementFix soft boards, heaved footings and loose ledgers, or tear off a worn deck and start over.
- Stairs and railingsStair runs and guards built to Minnesota's rules, new or replacing loose ones.
- Covered and screened decksA roof over the deck, or screens and a roof for bug-free summer evenings.
Nearby areas
A deck that lurched after the thaw, or one you've been planning all winter?
Call the number above and we'll connect you with a deck builder who works on your side of the hill.