Minneapolis neighborhood
Deck and back stair rebuilds in Longfellow (55406)
Longfellow is bungalow country, with 1910s and 1920s homes and duplexes running toward the Mississippi River gorge, many carrying aging rear decks, back stairs and second-floor porches.
- Answered 24/7
- Serving 55406
Longfellow at a glance
Longfellow bungalows and the back stairs that wear out first
On a typical Longfellow lot, the back of the house is where the trouble shows. Bungalows and duplexes here often have a small deck or a covered back entry with a long, steep stair down to the yard, and the stringers have sat in snow for decades. Posts sunk directly into dirt rot at the ground line, and a stair that sways a little in fall is often cracked by spring. We replace stairs with new stringers, solid landings and treated posts on proper footings, then match the railing to whatever stays on the house.
Closer to the river, some owners want a bigger change: tearing off a patched deck and building one that actually fits how they live. Duplexes with an upper unit often need a balcony or upper porch rebuilt along with the lower deck, and those jobs take careful planning so both households keep a safe way in and out. We draw the plans, pull the permit, and schedule the footing inspection before framing starts. When summer sun is the issue, a covered deck with a simple shed roof gives you shade without the scope of a full porch.
Longfellow deck problems we find on older lots
Posts buried in the dirt
Older decks here often have posts set straight into soil with no footing at all. They rot at grade and settle unevenly, so we replace them with posts on concrete footings poured to 42 inches.
Upper porches on up-down duplexes
Second-floor porches carry the upper unit's only outdoor space. We check the joists, beam and support posts together and rebuild the porch so it handles snow and a full table of people.
Frame repairs before new boards
Putting new decking over soft joists is a common mistake on patched decks. We sister or replace damaged joists and add proper hangers before any new surface goes down.
Shade from a covered deck
South- and west-facing backyards get hot by midafternoon. A shed or gable roof over part of the deck, tied into the house with flashing, gives you a shaded spot that also stays drier in rain.
Deck services Longfellow homeowners call us for
Typical prices for these jobs in Longfellow
Ranges from 2026 Twin Cities projects. Your price comes in a written scope after we see the site.
| Service | Typical range | Priced |
|---|---|---|
| Deck Stair Building and Repair | $1,460 to $6,920 | per stair run |
| Balcony and Stacked Porch Repair | $2,350 to $14,800 | per balcony |
| Deck Replacement | $42 to $98 | per square foot including tear-off |
| Deck Footing and Post Repair | $465 to $1,290 | per footing |
| Deck Joist and Frame Repair | $1,180 to $7,650 | per frame repair |
| Covered Decks and Deck Roofs | $19,400 to $61,300 | per covered area |
Deck questions from Longfellow
My Longfellow back stairs sway a little. Can they be repaired, or do they need replacing?
A small sway can come from loose stringer connections, a missing post at the landing, or rot where the stringers meet the ground. If the wood is sound, we can add bolts, a post and bracing. If the stringers are soft at the bottom, new stairs are the safer call. We check before recommending either one.
Do I need a permit to replace the back deck on my Longfellow bungalow?
In most cases, yes. Most attached decks in Minneapolis need a building permit, and so do decks more than 30 inches above grade. We prepare the drawings and file the permit, and the inspector checks the footings and the final framing. For smaller jobs, such as new boards on a sound frame, we confirm what your project needs.
Is a covered deck a good alternative to a porch on a Longfellow home?
It can be if you mostly want shade and a dry spot in rain rather than bug protection. A covered deck keeps the open feel and is a smaller project than a full screened porch. Later, if the mosquitoes win, the roof and posts can often be screened in, so we size them with that option in mind.
Deck work in Longfellow? Call any hour.
We are on the phone 24/7 and on site across Longfellow every week. Tell us about the deck and we will set a visit.