Call Us Today: 763-299-5949

Process

Design.

1. Design Consultation

The process starts with our design team. The initial consultation is an in-person meeting that usually takes place at your home. Together we will walk the property to discuss design ideas, size, and any site conditions that may impact your project. Our designers will explain the differences and pros vs cons of the various material options. We will collect the necessary site measurements we need to start the design process.

Typically 30 minutes – 1 hour.

2. Design Review

During the review process you will receive a design to scale with detailed 3-D renderings which will also include a comprehensive proposal with itemized costs.

Typically 30 minutes.

3. Contract

If you choose to move forward with Decks Elevated, a contract meeting will be set with you and your designer. This usually takes place at your home. Your designer will bring material samples so you can see color options next to your home’s exterior. You can also visually see the color transition from inside to outside your home.

All material selections and colors will be detailed in a comprehensive design selection sheet. This, along with a signed contract and a 50% deposit will secure a spot on our schedule.

Typically 1 hour.

4. Permitting

The design team will draft up all the structural plans
and engineering required for submitting the permit application to the city building department. If you live in a community that requires approval from an HOA, we will provide all documents necessary for the application.
Schedule an Estimate

Production.

5. Material Order

When the permit application is approved, Decks Elevated will receive the building permit. The project is then turned over to our production team. Every week we have an in-house production meeting with all design and production staff. Together we go over all current and upcoming project details. At this point materials will be ordered for your upcoming build.

6. Preliminary Construction Consultation

Your project manager will set a preliminary construction consultation. This is a quick meeting to ensure nothing has changed since the time of the contract prior to starting construction. Your project manager will inform you of the production schedule, timelines, and anticipated completion date.

7. Project Underway

Throughout the entire construction process your project manager will be with you every step of the way. This includes daily site visits and updates on progress. The project manager is in charge of scheduling all building inspections.

8. Final Walk Through, Punch List, & Warranty Registration

Upon completion of the job a final walkthrough will be scheduled with you and your project manager. At this time we walk through the entire project together and make note of any potential punch list items that need to be addressed. A final invoice will be presented, and your project manager will then close out the project and register any warranties on your behalf.
Schedule an Estimate

Build Details

Footing Options

Schedule an Estimate

Concrete

Conventional concrete footings will be installed 48” deep and will bell at the bottom to help prevent frost heave during our cold Minnesota winters. The size of the concrete footing will be dependent on the size of the structure and live load calculations.

Diamond Pier

Based on time-tested spread pile technology, the Diamond Pier foundation uses the strength of a precast concrete head to lock in four weight- bearing, galvanized steel pins that transfer the load to a larger area of undisturbed soil than the traditional concrete footing.

Helical

These foundations, a type of helical pier or screw pile, are rotated into the ground with our specialized machines until a certain torque and depth are reached to meet the bearing load requirements of the supported structure. Helical piers have a 10 year warranty against frost heave.

#1 Grade Southern Yellow Pressure Treated KDAT

Decks Elevated installs only #1 grade Southern Yellow Pine pressure treated KDAT – kiln dried after treatment – lumber. The strongest conventional framing material available with the exception of steel.

6×6 Post Type

All structural support posts are 6×6 .60 grade ground contact rated pressure treated posts. Lifespan rated for 40+ years.

Ledger

Excessive measures are taken to ensure water penetration doesn’t occur when installing a new ledger board. Ice and water moisture barrier is installed on top of the house sheathing along with flashing to properly seal the ledger board connection.

Engineered Beams

These are often used to achieve greater spans between support posts reducing the number of footings required, saving cost and opening up sight lines below.

Stair Treads

These are installed with mid-span support footings on any elevation greater than 12 steps making a very stable and sturdy staircase. This also prevents any walkout level staircase from sagging over time due to excessive material weight over a large span.

Blocking

Solid center line and angle blocking are installed to uniformly tie all the floor joists together, reducing any rack or bounce effect.

Planing

The entire framing structure will be hand planed to alleviate any crowns or high spots commonly found in wood framing.

Taping

Any two or more structural framing members that are nailed and glued together will be installed with a weatherproof tape to prevent moisture from getting in between.

B
D

Hidden Fasteners

These will provide a seamless decking surface by attaching clips between deck boards. While aesthetically pleasing, you may encounter some creaking or noise when using this method.

Cortex Plugs

Thes are available on any non-scalloped deck boards which allow top screws to be countersunk and capped with matching deck plugs.

E

Top Screw

For direct contact to framing members with color-matched screws is by far the most secure method to install deck boards.

C

Splice Board

Decking material is manufactured in 12’, 16’, and 20’ lengths. For any lengths longer than 20’ Decks Elevated will install a decking splice board to alleviate random seams across the surface.

Border

A single border or picture frame is a standard finish along the outside edge of every deck we build to ensure you will never see an unfinished edge of a deck board.
Schedule an Estimate

2-Year Craftsmanship Warranty

Against defects caused by faulty workmanship and defective materials due to noncompliance with building standards.

10-Year Structural Warranty

Against major construction defects due to noncompliance with building standards.
In accordance with MN Statute 327A.02
Warranty Service