Hennepin County
Rambler deck building and repair in Richfield (55423)
Richfield is mostly 1950s ramblers on compact lots, and the decks behind them tend to be low, small and close to a detached garage, with little room to spread out.
- Answered 24/7
- Serving 55423
Richfield at a glance
Getting more out of a small Richfield backyard
Most of Richfield was built quickly after the war, and the rambler is the house you see on nearly every block. Lots are compact, and a detached garage often sits only a few dozen feet behind the back door. That leaves a strip of yard to hold a deck, a patio, a play area and the garden. We usually design low decks one or two steps above grade, or a deck that steps down to a paver patio, so the whole space reads as one outdoor room instead of separate pieces.
Low decks have their own wear pattern. Boards that sit close to soil stay damp, and the joists underneath can rot even when the top surface looks decent. You'll often find out when a board cracks under a grill leg. We check clearance, airflow and whether the framing was rated for ground contact. When we rebuild, we use treated lumber rated for that exposure and composite boards that don't soak up water. Screened porches are popular here too, since mosquitoes find small backyards just as easily as big ones.
Small-lot deck problems in Richfield
Decks built inches above dirt
Ground-level decks from the 1980s and 1990s often had no gap for air under the joists. We regrade, lay weed barrier fabric and gravel, and rebuild with ground-contact lumber so the new frame can dry out.
Garage path cutting across
On many lots the main walking route runs from the garage straight across the deck. We set the stairs and landing where you actually walk, so you're not stepping through the garden with an armload of groceries.
Patio and deck as one plan
Small yards work better when the deck steps down to a paver patio for the grill or a fire pit. We build both pieces, so the heights, drainage slopes and edges line up from the start.
Porch roofs under low eaves
A screened porch off the back of a rambler needs a roof that fits beneath or above a low eave. We frame a shed or gable roof that clears the gutter line and matches the existing shingles.
Deck services Richfield homeowners call us for
Typical prices for these jobs in Richfield
Ranges from 2026 Twin Cities projects. Your price comes in a written scope after we see the site.
| Service | Typical range | Priced |
|---|---|---|
| Ground-Level and Platform Decks | $31 to $69 | per square foot installed |
| Paver Patio Installation | $19 to $47 | per square foot |
| Screened Porch Building | $24,800 to $68,500 | per porch |
| Deck Replacement | $42 to $98 | per square foot including tear-off |
| Composite Deck Installation | $58 to $97 | per square foot installed |
| Deck Stair Building and Repair | $1,460 to $6,920 | per stair run |
Deck questions from Richfield
What size deck fits a typical Richfield rambler lot?
Many backyards here comfortably hold a deck around 12 by 14 or 14 by 16 feet, which works out to 168 to 224 square feet, with room left for a path to the garage. Setbacks, the garage location and where the air conditioner sits all play a part. We measure your yard and lay out a couple of options.
Should I build a low deck or a paver patio behind my Richfield home?
If your back door sits only one step above the yard, a paver patio often works well and never rots. If the door is higher, a low deck that steps down to a patio gives you a level landing and a spot for dining. We look at door height, drainage and how you use the yard, then suggest one or both.
Can a Richfield screened porch tie into my rambler's low roofline?
Usually, yes. Rambler eaves are low, so we often use a shed roof that slopes away from the house and attaches under or above the existing fascia, depending on height. We check headroom inside the porch, flashing where the roofs meet and snow load, so the porch looks original and sheds snow cleanly.
Deck work in Richfield? Call any hour.
We are on the phone 24/7 and on site across Richfield every week. Tell us about the deck and we will set a visit.