Deck builders serving Rochester, Minnesota

How the referral works

1. Reach out

   Call or send the form with your town and a quick description of the project.

2. Get matched

   We pass it to an independent deck contractor who serves your address.

3. Meet the contractor

   They visit, measure, talk through options and give you a quote.

Who is this for?

Homeowners in Rochester, Byron, Stewartville, Pine Island, Oronoco and the rest of the Olmsted County area who want a deck built, rebuilt, resurfaced, railed or roofed. Rochester is home to Mayo Clinic and had 121,395 residents at the 2020 census, and the towns around it have grown as more people commute in. Housing ranges from century-old homes near downtown to split-levels, walkouts and brand-new subdivisions.

What deck work can you get help with?

• New decks. Attached or freestanding, on footings below frost. New deck construction.
• Low-maintenance boards. Composite, PVC or aluminum on new or reinforced framing. Composite and low-maintenance decking.
• Repairs and rebuilds. Rotted ledgers, heaved posts, soft boards. Deck repair and rebuilding.
• Railings and stairs. Guards, stairs and landings that meet current rules. Railings, stairs and landings.
• Shade and shelter. Pergolas and roofs sized for snow. Pergolas and deck roofs.

What makes southeastern Minnesota tough on decks?

• Deep frost. Minnesota Rule 1303.1600 puts Olmsted County in Zone II, with a minimum footing depth of 3½ feet, and the City of Rochester's deck handout calls for 42 inches of cover to the bottom of the footing. Posts on shallow pads get lifted.
• Heavy snow. Rochester averages more than 50 inches of snow, and state rules set a 50 psf ground snow load for the county. That's the number any deck roof must be designed around.
• Cold winters, hot summers. The January mean is under 15°F, and records run from −42°F to 108°F. Wood swells, shrinks and freezes; fasteners loosen; stain fails.
• Plenty of moisture. About 35 inches of precipitation a year keeps wood damp, especially on shaded lots and at the ledger.

Is it time to replace or repair?

• Soft, cracked or cupped boards
• A railing that moves when you lean on it
• The deck tilts away from the house
• Posts that lifted or sank over winter
• Dark, crumbly wood at the ledger
• Stairs that rock or have split stringers

Does a deck in Rochester need a permit?

Almost always. The City of Rochester's deck handout says all decks attached to the home need a building permit, and freestanding decks need one when they're 30 inches or more above grade. Applications go through the city's CitizenAccess portal, with a footing inspection before concrete is poured and a final when the deck and grading are finished. Outside the city, permits come from the town or Olmsted County Planning, depending on the address. The Rochester deck guide lays out the rules and links.

Who can build a deck in Minnesota?

Minnesota's Department of Labor and Industry requires a residential building contractor or remodeler license for anyone contracting directly with a homeowner to provide work in more than one special skill, such as carpentry plus concrete. Before you hire, look the contractor up on the DLI license lookup, and ask about insurance and who pulls the permit.

When are decks built here?

Footing holes can't be dug in frozen ground, so most building happens between spring thaw and late fall. Contractors' schedules fill fast in April and May. Plan over the winter and you can have a design, materials and the permit ready to go when the frost comes out.

Are you the builder?

No. Rochester Deck Builders is a referral service. We pass your call or request to an independent contractor who works where you live, and that contractor handles design, quote, permit, construction and warranty. Our how-it-works page covers what to check before you sign.

Communities we cover

• Rochester
• Byron
• Stewartville
• Pine Island
• Oronoco

Need the details first? See the Rochester deck guide for permits, footing depth and snow loads.