Deck builders in Traverse City
New decks, repairs, railings and covered decks inside the city, from the older neighborhoods near downtown to streets out toward the airport.
Traverse City grew from a sawmill that Hannah, Lay & Co. bought in 1851, and Perry Hannah, regarded as the city's founder, became its first mayor in 1895. Today the city has 15,678 residents (2020 census) and is the Grand Traverse County seat, with a small northwest corner reaching into Leelanau County. The Boardman River runs north through downtown into the West Arm of the bay. Recognized neighborhoods include Slabtown, Central, Old Towne, Boardman, Fernwood, Oak Park and Traverse Heights.
Common deck jobs in the city
- Rebuilding small, aging back decks on older homes near downtown
- Freestanding decks where an old foundation or brick veneer can't take a ledger
- Second-story and rooftop-style decks on tight lots where yard space is scarce
- Composite resurfacing on sound frames behind mid-century houses
Two offices, two permits
Inside city limits, the City of Traverse City reviews land use and zoning, and the Grand Traverse County Construction Code office at 2650 LaFranier Road issues the building permit. The city's construction guide describes that order: city approval first, then the county. Inside the city, soil erosion questions go to the city's zoning staff rather than the county Health Department.
Small lots and old houses
Lots in the older parts of town can be narrow, with garages, alleys and neighbors close by. Setbacks and lot coverage still apply to decks, so a builder may need to work through zoning before the design is final. On century-old houses, what's behind the siding decides whether a deck can attach at all.
Common questions
Do builders work in every Traverse City neighborhood?
Yes. Call with your address and we'll pass your request to a builder who works on your side of town.
Who issues the building permit in the city?
The Grand Traverse County Construction Code office, after the City of Traverse City approves the land use and zoning side.
Services in Traverse City
- New decksDecks on footings set below frost, from a back-door landing to a multi-level deck down a slope.
- Composite and PVC decksLow-upkeep decking that skips the staining, on a new frame or a sound existing one.
- Deck repair and rebuildsFix soft boards, loose ledgers and shifting footings, or tear off a tired deck and rebuild.
- Railings and stairsGuards, handrails and stair runs built to the Michigan Residential Code, new or replacing loose ones.
- Covered and screened decksRoofs and screen rooms over decks, with posts and footings sized for snow on top.
Nearby areas
A deck that's gone gray and soft, or one you've only pictured over the bay?
Call the number above and a Grand Traverse area deck builder will talk through what makes sense for your house.