Deck building and deck repair in Missoula, Montana

How it works

1. Call or send a request

   Tell us where the house is and what you have in mind, or what's wrong with the deck you've got.

2. We connect you

   We pass it to an independent deck builder who serves Missoula and the nearby towns.

3. They call you back

   The builder comes out, measures, and gives you a quote directly.

Who uses this service?

Homeowners in Missoula and the communities around it, including Orchard Homes, Target Range, Lolo, Frenchtown, East Missoula and Bonner, who want a new deck, need an old one repaired or replaced, or want safer stairs, rails or shade. Missoula had 73,489 residents at the 2020 census and is the seat of Missoula County. Homes here range from century-old houses on the Northside and in the University District to hillside lots in the South Hills, the Rattlesnake and Grant Creek, where a deck is often the best way to get a flat place to sit outside.

What can a deck builder do for you?

• New wood decks. Treated framing on real footings, topped with treated pine, cedar or other wood boards, from a small landing off the kitchen to a big deck with more than one level. See new decks.
• Composite and PVC decking. Boards that don't need a fresh coat of stain every few summers, on framing set up for them. See composite decking.
• Repairs and rebuilds. Swapping out soft boards, fixing a sagging beam or a bad ledger, or tearing off a worn-out deck and starting over. See deck repair.
• Railings and stairs. New or replacement guards in wood, aluminum, cable or composite, and stair runs with even steps and a solid landing. See railings and stairs.
• Covered decks and pergolas. A roof or pergola to cut the July and August sun or keep snow off part of the deck. See covered decks.

What makes Missoula hard on a deck?

• Frozen ground. Footings need to sit below the depth where the ground freezes, or frost can lift them. Montana's state rule sets a 24-inch minimum unless a local rule asks for more, and a Montana code summary lists 36 inches as the figure used locally. Your builder should confirm the depth with the building department before digging.
• Hot summers, cold winters. Missoula has hit 107°F (June 30, 2021) and −33°F (January 1957). Boards, fasteners and finishes go through a lot of expansion, contraction and freeze-thaw between those extremes.
• Dry air. The city averages a little over 14 inches of precipitation a year. Sunny decks dry out, check and gray fast, and stain on south- and west-facing boards doesn't last long.
• Snow. Around 40 inches of snow falls in a typical winter. It piles up on decks, gets shoveled into railings and has to be carried by any roof built over a deck.
• Wildfire. Hillside homes near ponderosa pine and grass are exposed to embers in fire season. The Missoula deck guide covers what Firewise guidance says about decks.

When should someone look at your deck?

• Boards that flex, feel spongy, or crumble near screws and ends
• A guard post or railing that moves when you push on it
• Stairs that rock, lean, or have pulled away at the top
• A gap opening between the deck and the house wall
• Posts on loose blocks, or footings that have tipped or lifted
• Rusty hangers, bolts missing, or nails working their way out
• Soft, dark wood at the ledger or under the door threshold

Do you need a permit for a deck in Missoula?

Most of the time, yes. Published summaries of the City of Missoula's rules say a freestanding deck no more than 30 inches above grade can skip a building permit, but an attached deck, a deck higher than 30 inches, or a covered deck needs one. Inside city limits, permits go through the city's Development Services, part of Community Planning, Development and Innovation, using its online Permits and Licensing portal. Outside city limits, Missoula County's Building Division handles permits, and in 2024 the county exempted certain deck designs, so check which rule fits yours. The Missoula deck guide has the details and links.

Should you build with wood or composite?

Both make sense here, for different reasons. Wood is cheaper to start with and easy to patch, but in Missoula's dry summers it needs cleaning and a new finish on a regular schedule. Composite and PVC cost more but don't rot and don't need stain. Either way, the framing underneath is almost always treated lumber, so how the footings, ledger and joists are built matters as much as the boards you pick. A builder can help you weigh it based on sun, shade and how much upkeep you're willing to do.

What about bears and decks?

Bears come into town here, and the City of Missoula prohibits feeding wildlife or leaving attractants out. Missoula Public Health lists pet food, unsecured garbage and bird feeders among the things that draw bears, and asks residents to feed birds only from December 1 to April 1. If you're building a new deck, think about where the garbage cans and grill will live, and don't plan on storing pet food or trash on or under the deck.

When do Missoula decks get built?

Mostly spring through fall, when the ground isn't frozen and footings can be dug and poured. Builders' calendars fill quickly once the snow melts, so if you want a deck by the Fourth of July, start the conversation in winter. Design, material choices and the permit application can all be done before the ground thaws.

Are you a deck company?

No. Missoula Deck Builders is a referral service. We connect you with an independent builder who works at your address, and that builder handles the design, quote, permit, construction and warranty. Read our tips on hiring a deck builder before you sign a contract.

Areas we cover

• Missoula
• Orchard Homes and Target Range
• Lolo
• Frenchtown

Planning ahead? Read our Missoula deck guide.