Hennepin County
Lakeshore deck rebuilds and repair in Excelsior (55331)
Century-old cottages on narrow village lots sit a few streets from lake homes stepping down to Lake Minnetonka, so decks here range from tight porch landings to tall shoreline platforms.
- Answered 24/7
- Serving 55331
Excelsior at a glance
Building decks in a lake village with old bones
A lot of Excelsior homes were built as summer places or village houses long before anyone thought about frost footings, and the decks added later often follow that same easygoing approach. We regularly pull up boards near Water Street and find posts sitting on concrete blocks, joists spliced over the years and porch floors pitched back toward the house. On a small village lot there's rarely room to sprawl, so the job is usually about rebuilding the same footprint properly: footings to 42 inches, a flashed ledger, and boards and rails that suit an older house instead of fighting it.
Closer to the water, the work changes shape. Lake homes facing Excelsior Bay tend to sit on slopes, with a main-level deck well above grade and a long run of stairs heading toward the dock. Those decks take the full wind off the lake and stay damp under the boards for much of the season. Because shoreland rules apply near the lake, we check with the city and the watershed district during design about setbacks, hard surface on the lot and any trees that would have to come out. That way the plan you approve is one that can actually be permitted.
What we run into on Excelsior lake and village decks
Porch decks on block footings
Older village homes often have a back porch or small deck resting on surface blocks. Each spring the frost lifts them unevenly, doors start sticking and rails lean. We dig real footings below 42 inches and reframe on them.
Long stair runs to the dock
Lakefront lots drop toward the water, and stairs built in short pieces over the years rarely share the same rise. We rebuild them as one consistent run with landings, sturdy handrails and footings that suit the slope.
Wind and spray off the bay
Decks facing open water dry out and soak again all summer, which loosens fasteners and checks wood boards quickly. Stainless or coated hardware with capped composite or PVC boards holds up far better on that exposure.
Views kept clear of rails
Nobody wants thick wood balusters blocking the lake. Cable, glass or slim aluminum railing keeps the sightline open from a chair, and we size posts and blocking so the railing stays tight through winter.
Deck services Excelsior homeowners call us for
Typical prices for these jobs in Excelsior
Ranges from 2026 Twin Cities projects. Your price comes in a written scope after we see the site.
| Service | Typical range | Priced |
|---|---|---|
| Deck Replacement | $42 to $98 | per square foot including tear-off |
| Front Porch Repair and Rebuilds | $1,870 to $18,600 | per porch |
| Deck Stair Building and Repair | $1,460 to $6,920 | per stair run |
| Aluminum and Glass Railing | $96 to $289 | per linear foot |
| Composite Deck Installation | $58 to $97 | per square foot installed |
| Screened Porch Building | $24,800 to $68,500 | per porch |
Deck questions from Excelsior
Can you rebuild a small porch deck on an older Excelsior house without changing its character?
Yes. Most of that work is structural and hidden: new footings, new framing and a flashed connection to the house. On top, we can use painted wood railings, square balusters and board widths that suit the age of the home, or a composite board in a muted color. We'll hold samples against your siding before anything is ordered.
Do lakeshore decks in Excelsior need extra approval beyond a building permit?
Often they do. Lots near Lake Minnetonka fall under shoreland rules, so the city and the watershed district may look at setbacks from the water, how much hard surface the lot carries and whether trees come out. We raise those questions during design and prepare the drawings with them in mind, which keeps the review from stalling.
How do you get materials onto a tight Excelsior village lot?
Many lots near downtown have narrow side yards, shared drives and little room for a dumpster. We plan deliveries in smaller loads, carry lumber by hand when we have to and keep the street clear for neighbors. On busy summer weekends near Excelsior Commons, we push loud work and deliveries to weekdays whenever we can.
Deck work in Excelsior? Call any hour.
We are on the phone 24/7 and on site across Excelsior every week. Tell us about the deck and we will set a visit.