Eagan Deck Remodel with Helical Footing

After watching part of her existing deck sink and the stairs begin to shift, this Eagan homeowner stopped using a space she had always enjoyed. She initially considered repairing the deck, but once she weighed the cost of repairs against the ongoing maintenance of the cedar structure, rebuilding made more sense.

What mattered most was knowing the underlying problem had actually been solved. Honey-Doers took time to investigate the site, bring in additional expertise, and recommend a foundation and framing approach designed for the conditions, not simply replace what was already there.

Project Snapshot

A Deck She No Longer Trusted

The first sign of trouble was a sinking post. Over time, another area and the stairs began to move as well. The deck still felt sturdy in places, but the changes were enough that the homeowner no longer felt comfortable using it, especially with her grandchildren.

For nearly a year, the deck sat mostly unused. She missed grilling, having family outside and simply enjoying a space that had always been part of how she used her home.

"Summers on that deck were always a big part of my life, so losing it for a year was hard. I wasn't comfortable having my grandchildren out there."

Taking Time to Understand the Problem

The homeowner had received another estimate before choosing Honey-Doers. That contractor told her they wanted to make sure the project was done right, but she felt the estimate came before enough time had been spent understanding why the deck was failing.

Her experience with Rick was different.

Before she had committed to the project, Rick brought additional professionals to the home, including a framing expert, to evaluate the deck and talk through the best approach. For the homeowner, that effort mattered. It showed that the goal was not simply to sell a new deck. It was to understand the problem first.

"I liked that he invested time in the project before I even committed. He brought experts out to get their opinion. He really invested in my project himself."

That investigation proved important. Honey-Doers knew one area of the property was low and held significant moisture. Instead of relying on a conventional footing at frost depth, the team installed a helical footing that ultimately had to extend approximately 13 feet before reaching the required resistance for stable support.

Rebuilding for the Long Term

Once the foundation issue was addressed, Honey-Doers rebuilt the deck with long-term durability and lower maintenance in mind.

The new composite decking eliminates the regular refinishing the homeowner faced with cedar. Hidden fasteners create a cleaner surface, while picture-frame borders conceal the grooved edges of the deck boards. Protective tape was added over the framing to help keep water away from the joists, and the posts were wrapped to coordinate with the deck trim.

The team also reworked the framing so a previous support could be eliminated, creating a cleaner and more open area beneath the deck.

Details That Made the Finished Deck Feel Complete

The stairs were one of the homeowner's favorite parts of the project, and one of the details that required extra thought.

Rather than settling for a basic stair treatment, the team worked through the transition at the bottom so the stairs fit naturally into the existing landscape. Finished overhangs and returns give each tread a more complete look, and the aluminum railing adds a clean, simple line around the deck and stairs.

The team also refreshed and repositioned landscaping rock as needed so the finished project felt integrated with the yard rather than dropped into it.

Communication That Built Trust

The finished deck mattered, but the homeowner was just as enthusiastic about the experience of getting there.

She specifically credited Shelly with keeping communication clear throughout the project. She knew who would be at her home and when they were coming, and the team explained the work in terms she could understand.

"Contractors can be lousy communicators, but I always knew the schedule through Shelly. I don't speak deck remodel, and they made sure I understood what was happening and when."

That consistency was especially meaningful because past experiences with contractors had made choosing someone new feel risky. Recommendations from people she trusted helped introduce her to Honey-Doers; the way Rick, Shelly and the team handled the project gave her confidence in that choice.

The Result: A Deck She Can Use Again

The new deck stayed within the same footprint, allowing the homeowner to preserve the landscaping she already liked. But structurally and functionally, it is a very different space: stable, low-maintenance and designed to last.

Most importantly, she can use it again.

She can grill. She can have family over. Her grandchildren can be on the deck without the concern that had kept everyone off it for the previous year.

"The quality of the deck is outstanding and I love it. I highly recommend Honey-Doers."

She was even more direct when talking about the experience after the project:

"Hands down, I wouldn't bat an eye to recommend them. It was a very positive experience."