Decks & Outdoor Living in St. Michael, Rogers & NW Metro MN
Decks & Outdoor Living
Extend Your Home Outdoors
Design | Build | Love
- Licensed MN Contractor – Lic. BC802778|
- Owner's Advocate Service|
- Live Project Portal|
- Serving the NW Metro Since 2015
Northern Builder Co-op LLC designs and builds outdoor living spaces that feel like a natural extension of your home. From low-maintenance composite decks and cedar privacy screens to screened porches, pergolas, and fully equipped outdoor kitchens — we build spaces that are made for Minnesota's seasons and built to last. Whether you're envisioning a simple backyard deck for summer evenings or a multi-level entertaining space with a built-in grill station and covered pergola, our team handles every detail from design through final inspection. We manage all permits, structural engineering, and trades so you can focus on enjoying the finished result.
Benefits of Outdoor Living Spaces
Expanded Living Space
A well-designed deck or porch effectively adds square footage to your home — giving you a dedicated space for dining, entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying the outdoors.
Strong Return on Investment
Decks and outdoor living spaces consistently rank among the top ROI home improvements, adding real value at resale while enhancing your daily quality of life.
Year-Round Enjoyment
Screened porches, covered pergolas, and outdoor fireplaces extend the usable season well beyond summer — letting you enjoy your outdoor space from early spring through late fall.
Low-Maintenance Materials
Composite decking from brands like Trex and TimberTech resists fading, staining, and splintering — no annual staining or sealing required, just occasional cleaning.
Custom Design
Every outdoor space we build is designed around your property, lifestyle, and budget — from the deck shape and railing style to lighting, built-ins, and shade structures.
Permitted & Code-Compliant
We handle all required permits and inspections, ensuring your deck or outdoor structure is built to local code and properly documented for future resale.
Typical Cost Ranges (Northwest Twin Cities Metro)
Decks
- • Pressure-treated wood deck: $12,000 – $22,000
- • Cedar or hardwood deck: $18,000 – $35,000
- • Composite deck (Trex, TimberTech): $20,000 – $45,000+
- • Multi-level or complex deck: $35,000 – $70,000+
Porches & Pergolas
- • Screened porch addition: $25,000 – $55,000
- • Three-season porch: $30,000 – $65,000
- • Pergola (freestanding or attached): $10,000 – $30,000
Outdoor Kitchens & Features
- • Built-in grill station: $5,000 – $15,000
- • Full outdoor kitchen: $20,000 – $60,000+
- • Outdoor fireplace or fire pit: $4,000 – $18,000
Costs vary based on size, materials, and site conditions. Contact us to discuss your project.
Features of Our Outdoor Living Services
Composite Decking: We install Trex, TimberTech, and Fiberon composite decking systems — fade-resistant, splinter-free, and backed by manufacturer warranties up to 25 years.
Natural Wood Decking: Cedar, redwood, and pressure-treated lumber options for homeowners who prefer the warmth and character of natural wood, properly sealed and finished for Minnesota's climate.
Screened & Three-Season Porches: Fully framed porch additions with screen systems, windows, and optional heating that extend your outdoor season and keep bugs out.
Pergolas & Shade Structures: Freestanding and attached pergolas in cedar, composite, or aluminum — with optional louvered roofs, string lighting, and privacy screens.
Outdoor Kitchens & Grilling Stations: Built-in grill stations, countertops, refrigerators, and storage — designed for outdoor cooking and entertaining.
Railings, Lighting & Built-Ins: Cable railings, glass panel railings, aluminum balusters, integrated deck lighting, built-in benches, and planters — every finishing detail handled in-house.
Structural Engineering & Permits: We handle all structural design, permit applications, and inspections — ensuring your outdoor structure is safe, code-compliant, and properly documented.
Our Process
Consultation & Site Visit
We visit your property, assess the site, discuss your vision and budget, and walk through material and design options.
Design & Material Selection
We develop a layout and design plan, help you select decking materials, railings, and features, and produce a full design-build estimate — this step carries a cost that is credited toward your project if you move forward.
Permitting & Engineering
We handle all permit applications, structural drawings if required, and coordinate with the city or township on your behalf.
Construction
Our crew builds your outdoor space efficiently and cleanly — following manufacturer specs and local building codes for a lasting, warranty-backed result.
Final Walkthrough & Inspection
We walk through every detail with you and complete the city inspection before calling the project done.
We build decks and outdoor living spaces throughout the northwest Twin Cities metro, including St. Michael, Otsego, Rogers, Maple Grove, Plymouth, and Minnetonka.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a new deck cost in the Twin Cities metro?
- In the northwest Twin Cities metro, a new deck typically runs $12,000–$22,000 for pressure-treated wood, $20,000–$45,000 for composite decking (Trex, TimberTech), and $35,000–$70,000 or more for multi-level or complex builds. The biggest cost drivers are square footage, decking material, railing style, and whether the project includes stairs, built-ins, or a pergola. The consultation and site visit are free; a full design-build estimate is a paid step in the process — it’s how we make sure the number you get is one you can actually build to.
- Composite vs. wood decking in Minnesota — which should I choose?
- Composite decking (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon) costs more upfront but requires almost no maintenance — no annual staining, sealing, or sanding, and it resists the freeze-thaw cycles that cause wood to crack and splinter over time. Natural wood (cedar, pressure-treated) costs less initially and has a classic look, but requires regular maintenance to hold up in Minnesota's climate. For most homeowners who want a low-maintenance outdoor space they can enjoy without annual upkeep, composite is the better long-term value.
- Do decks require permits and frost footings in Minnesota?
- Yes — in Minnesota, most attached decks and any deck over 30 inches above grade require a building permit. Footings must extend below the frost line, which is 42 inches in the Twin Cities metro, to prevent heaving and structural movement over winter. We handle all permit applications, footing design, and required inspections so your deck is code-compliant and properly documented for future resale.
- When is the best time of year to build a deck?
- Spring and early summer are the most popular times to build, but late summer and fall are often better for scheduling — lead times are shorter, crews are more available, and concrete footings cure well in cooler temperatures. We can build decks in any season as long as the ground is not frozen, and many homeowners who book in fall have their deck ready before the following summer. We recommend scheduling a consultation in late winter or early spring to get on the calendar before the busy season.
For a full breakdown of what outdoor projects cost this year, see our guide to deck construction cost in Minnesota. Every deck and outdoor structure we build is covered by our written warranty — so you know exactly what is protected before the first board goes down.
Why Choose Northern Builder Co-op LLC?
Outdoor living spaces are an investment in your home and your lifestyle. At Northern Builder Co-op LLC, we bring the same craftsmanship and project management discipline to your deck or porch that we bring to every build — licensed, insured, and backed by our APB membership. Serving the northwest Twin Cities metro, we build outdoor spaces that are designed for Minnesota's climate and built to last.
Ready to extend your living space outdoors? Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.