What to sort out first
A new deck is a small structure with its own footings, so the first questions are about the ground and the house. The state appendix wants every post centered over the middle third of its footing, does not allow footings over utility lines, and bars toe-nailing beams to posts. Expect the builder to sketch posts and beams before talking about board colors.
- Rough footprint and the door the deck serves
- Height from that door down to the yard
- Where the stairs should land
- Which city or village the parcel is in
Sources: Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, SPS 325 Appendix B. Checked November 9, 2026. Confirm current requirements with your building inspector.
By city
Budget first
Our Milwaukee deck cost guide lays out 2026 published prices by material and size, plus local permit fees from Wauwatosa and Brookfield.
Other deck projects
New Deck Building FAQ
Is this site the builder?
No. This site takes deck requests from Milwaukee-area homeowners and passes them to independent deck builders. You agree on price and scope with the builder directly, and a match is not guaranteed.
How big should a new deck be?
Start from use: a table and chairs, a grill, a path to the yard. Angi’s national size examples run from a 10×12 at $3,600 to $7,200 up to a 20×20 at $16,000 to $24,000.
Who designs the framing?
The builder usually draws the plan. Waukesha, Wauwatosa and Brookfield all ask for post, beam and joist details with the permit application, so the drawing has to exist before the permit.
Do I need a permit?
It depends on the municipality. Milwaukee’s DNS checklist says a deck needs a permit. Waukesha, Wauwatosa and Brookfield also require one, and West Allis exempts only very small, low decks and like-for-like board, stair or railing replacement. Other suburbs set their own rules.