Deck Builder in Mendota Heights, MN
CHS Custom Decks & Design is a deck builder serving homeowners and commercial property owners in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. We help you assess deck height, access, and material options before preparing a deck design for city review.
Whether you have a walkout, an elevated back door, or an older deck that may need replacing, we can start with your existing setup. Bring a property survey if available, and tell us what you would like to improve about your deck.
- Veteran-Owned & Family-Owned
- 30+ Years of Overall Experience
- TimberTech Platinum Pro
- 2-Year Craftsmanship Warranty
- Up to 50-Year Material Warranty
- NADRA & NARI Member
Plan the Deck Around Your House and Yard
Start by deciding where people will step out, where the stairs can end, and how you want to use the space. These details help guide deck builders about the design more than board color alone.
A Walkout Changes How You Use the Space Below
With a raised deck over a walkout, you may want more light and room to move underneath. Door height, support locations, stair placement, and drainage all affect the design. We can discuss an underdeck system if you want a drier area beneath the deck. However, this requires separate planning and is not an automatic feature of the decking surface.
Check the Footprint Before Choosing a Size
Property lines, easements, and the house connection can limit where the deck frame and stairs can go. A property survey helps us assess the proposed footprint rather than assume the fence marks the boundary. If a part of the yard has a land-use restriction, we will check the requirements with the city before confirming placement.
Assess the Existing Frame
New deck boards will not fix weak supports or a failing connection to the house. If you want to change the deck’s size or elevation, we need to inspect the structure before deciding whether resurfacing is appropriate. We will recommend the work based on the structure’s condition, whether that means an upgrade or a replacement.
Deck Permit Applications and Inspections
CHS Custom Decks & Design works with Mendota Heights’ deck permit process through Inspectron and the Citizen Serve portal. We can help prepare your application, but the building official determines the required plans and inspections. The city reviews complete applications in the order received and notes that spring through fall is its busiest period. Finalizing the deck design, framing, and materials early helps with planning, while local residential construction hours must also be considered when scheduling work.
If Your Property Has an Association
Share any HOA design rules before selecting your deck’s railing, size, or finish. Association approval is separate from city permit review, and requirements vary by property. Our deck builder team can consider the rules during planning but cannot guarantee HOA approval.
Decking Services for Mendota Heights Properties
We plan new deck construction differently from upgrades to an existing surface. Tell us whether you want better yard access, more seating space, or a more practical layout so we can recommend work suited to the structure.
For a residential deck, our deck builders start at the door and plan outward. A dining area needs room for chairs and movement, while a raised deck needs stairs that lead to a practical spot in the yard.
A commercial deck must suit the property’s entrances, circulation, and intended use. We review these needs and the applicable requirements before planning the design.
For a new deck, we plan the supports, frame, surface, and access together. The layout should work from the back door to the yard as well as look good on paper.
If the existing deck footprint works for you, an upgrade may be possible after we assess the frame. If the supports or house connection need major work, replacement may be more appropriate. We do not offer standalone deck repairs or routine maintenance.
For a raised deck, guardrails and stair railings are important design elements. We can compare styles that preserve your view while suiting the proposed layout.
Planning lighting early allows us to consider fixture placement while the stair and railing locations are still flexible. We can discuss lighting near steps and along the route to the house.
Deck boards are visible, but footings, beams, joists, and the house connection support the structure. Our deck builder team plans the frame around the deck’s actual height and span.
Our Trusted Decking Materials and Brands
Wood, composite, and PVC decking differ in appearance, feel, and maintenance needs. Cedar and Ipe provide natural wood surfaces but require more upkeep. Composite and PVC can reduce some maintenance, though individual products still need comparison. We work with Trex and TimberTech by AZEK decking, along with wood options, to help you select materials suited to how you plan to use your deck.
Plan Patios, Pergolas, and Porches Alongside the Deck
A patio, pergola, or porch may be part of your outdoor project. Let us know early if you are considering any of these additions, especially if the deck’s size or supports could affect future plans. We can define the proposed work separately and check the applicable city review requirements for each.
What Goes Into Your Deck Estimate
Your estimate depends on factors such as deck height, access, size, demolition, framing, surface materials, stairs, and railings. Our deck contractor team provides free estimates, but we need details about your property and project before preparing accurate pricing. We can discuss scheduling once the design, approvals, material selections, and crew availability are clearer.
When Can Construction Start?
An estimate does not confirm a start date. Once the deck design is finalized and the city and any applicable HOA have made their decisions, we can confirm material and crew availability with you. Mendota Heights reviews complete applications in the order received, so we cannot confirm a construction date until the necessary approvals and scheduling details are settled.
What Our Customer Say About Us
How We Plan Your Deck
We start with how you want to use your outdoor space, then develop a layout, estimate, and construction plan.
1. Tell Us About the Space
Where will you access the deck, and how do you plan to use it? Let us know if you may want to add a porch or hot tub later.
2. Review the Property and Materials
Bring a property survey if available. We will assess the available space and discuss decking, framing, railing, and lighting options.
3. Identify the Approvals
For an attached deck, we help prepare the city’s application and required plans. If your property has an HOA, its written approval is a separate step. We can assist with permit acquisition, but the city and association make their own decisions.
4. Get a Free Estimate
We outline the proposed work and what the estimate includes. If questions about the property or existing frame need to be resolved, we will explain them before finalizing the plan.
5. Schedule Your Deck Construction
Once the plan and required approvals are in place, we confirm material and crew availability with you before setting a start date.
Why Choose Our Deck Company?
CHS Custom Decks & Design is a family-owned, veteran-owned deck company. For deck projects in Mendota Heights, we consider how you will move between your home and yard, especially when a walkout or raised back door affects deck height and stair placement. As a TimberTech Platinum Pro Registered Contractor and NADRA member, we help you compare decking materials based on your layout and needs.
We offer a two-year craftsmanship warranty. Eligible products may include manufacturer material coverage of up to 50 years, depending on the product and applicable terms. We explain the relevant coverage and identify the city and any applicable association requirements before construction begins.
Questions Before You Build
How can a deck be designed around a walkout or a raised back door?
Professional deck contractors start with the door height and usable space below, then plan the supports and stairs around the yard. If you want a covered area beneath a raised deck, let us know early so we can discuss an underdeck system as part of the design.
How do you decide whether an existing deck should be rebuilt or resurfaced?
We assess the frame, footings, and connection to the house before recommending an option. Sound framing may allow an upgrade, while structural concerns or major layout changes may call for a replacement. We cannot determine whether a frame can be reused from photos alone.
How do wood, composite, and PVC compare for maintenance?
Wood requires ongoing care to maintain its finish. Composite and PVC generally need less surface maintenance, although cleaning is still necessary and requirements vary by product. We can compare the options based on your budget, preferred appearance, and maintenance expectations.
Do you handle permits and inspections in Mendota Heights?
We offer permit acquisition and can help prepare the information required for your deck application. Mendota Heights uses Inspectron for building permits and inspections, while the city and its building official determine the requirements for each project. We will confirm the applicable inspection process before construction begins.
Find CHS Custom Decks & Design
- Business Name: CHS Custom Decks & Design
- Address: 14607 Felton Ct #115, Apple Valley, MN 55124
- Phone: (952) 236-0276
- Hours: Monday to Saturday 8 AM to 5 PM
- Certifications: TimberTech Platinum Pro
- Website: www.chsbuildersmn.com
Request a Free Mendota Heights Deck Estimate
Tell us your property address, how you plan to use the deck, and whether an existing deck is involved. Our decking service includes discussing the layout and city review before preparing a free estimate for your project.
Call (952) 236-0276 to get started.