Manitowoc, WI · the Lakeshore

Deck Removal & Teardown in Manitowoc, WI

Decks in this climate have a lifespan. Fifteen or twenty winters of freeze, thaw, and lake damp get into the joist hangers and the posts where they meet the ground, and eventually the boards go spongy underfoot in the same spot every spring.

When a deck reaches that point, we tear it down and haul all of it away — boards, framing, railings, stairs, and the footings if you want the ground clear.

How a deck teardown goes

Railings and stairs come off first, then the decking boards, then the framing, and finally the posts. Working in that order keeps the structure stable while people are standing on it, which matters more on a deck that is already failing.

Everything is loaded as we go, so the yard does not spend three days under a pile of lumber. Most single-level decks come down in a day.

What we take down

• Ground-level and raised wooden decks
• Composite decking and railing systems
• Deck stairs, railings, benches, and planters
• Pergolas, arbours, and attached shade structures
• Hot tub surrounds and the platform underneath
• Screened porches and three-season rooms, quoted individually
• Docks and boat piers, where access allows

Posts, footings, and the ledger board

Posts set in concrete can be cut at grade or dug out, and it is worth deciding before the day. Cut at grade is faster and cheaper; dug out is what you want if anything is going to be built, planted, or driven over that spot afterwards.

Where the deck attaches to the house, the ledger board comes off and the siding behind it is exposed. That area is very often where the rot started, and it will need attention from a carpenter or siding contractor. We will point out what we find, but closing the wall back up is their work, not ours.

Older decks and treated lumber

Pressure-treated lumber cannot be burned, and it is not something to put through a home fire pit or a burn barrel. It goes to disposal with the rest of the load.

Decks built before about 2004 may have been built with CCA-treated lumber, which contains arsenic. It is handled and disposed of, not recycled, and it is another good reason not to cut it up in the backyard yourself.

What Deck Removal Costs in Manitowoc

These are typical ranges for the Manitowoc area, not a quote. The price covers teardown, loading, hauling, disposal, and clearing the area. Repairs to siding behind the ledger board are a carpentry job and are not included. Every job is confirmed with a firm, no-obligation price on arrival.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to tear down a deck?

Most single-level decks come down in a day. Large or multi-level decks, and decks with footings being dug out, can run into a second day.

Do I need a permit to remove a deck?

Some municipalities require a demolition permit, especially where the deck is attached to the house. It is worth a call to your city or village before the date.

Do you repair the siding where the deck was attached?

No. We remove the ledger board and show you what is behind it, which is frequently where rot began. Repairing the wall is a job for a carpenter or siding contractor.

Can you take just the hot tub surround?

Yes. Taking out a tub and the platform around it in the same visit is common — see the hot tub removal page for how that side of the job works.