How much does deck repair cost?

Although it requires an investment of time and money, repairing your deck costs significantly less than replacing it — as long as the deck is structurally intact and the wood is healthy. When your contractor inspects your deck, he or she will be able to tell you if it can be repaired or if you need to tear it out and start over.

Read on to get an idea of how much it will cost to repair your deck, what will affect the pricing and how to get personalized price quotes from contractors.

For contractors who set their prices based on the deck's size, the nationwide cost averages between $15 and $25 per square foot for a deck made of pressure-treated wood.

The cost of deck repair depends on the cost of materials used. Here are different types of deck materials and their average cost per square foot:

Other contractors may create custom estimates based on how many workers the job will require and how long it will take.

Thumbtack pro Joe Hernandez, the owner of V&G Enterprises in Hamden, Connecticut, always provides an estimate for the total project cost of any deck repair or construction job based on how much of the deck needs to be repaired and the type of repair needed. He generally charges:

• Hourly rate: $40 per hour if he can manage the job alone. The rate increases if more workers are needed to complete the job in the desired timeframe or if it’s too much work to do solo.
• Lumber delivery fee: $50, but there is no “upcharge” (meaning, he doesn't charge customers more than he pays) for the materials.

If a wood deck has succumbed to mildew, it can usually be pressure-washed and re-stained. The cost of deck mildew repair averages between $250 and $450 nationwide, depending on the total square footage and the extent of mildew buildup.

If a wood deck has been damaged by termites or the presence of termites is suspected, a pest management service may be needed to assess the extent of the infestation and exterminate the termites. On average, termite inspection costs between $50 and $300 nationwide.

Because each job is unique, most decking professionals will only quote a final rate after going to the site to inspect the damage. An on-site consultation allows the contractors to give an idea of what the deck repair will cost based on the issue, deck material (is it a wood deck or composite?) and deck size.

Here are some additional cost factors your contractor will consider:

Extent of repairs

Deck repairs can include patching or replacing areas where the deck material (usually wood) has rotted, twisted, warped, become loose or shrunk over time to create gaps between boards that are unsightly or hazardous.

Contractors can repair most of these issues by replacing damaged boards with new material. Larger areas that need to be replaced will cost more than small areas.

Site elevation

If the ground needs to be leveled or if the deck needs to be elevated to meet the door threshold of the house, contractors will need to pour concrete footings for the deck to rest on, which will add to the overall cost.

Adding skirting to conceal the area between the deck and the ground will also cost more in materials and labor, depending on the materials and design of the skirting. A solid board skirting and short brick walls typically cost more than wood lattice, for example.

Stairs and railings

Damage to deck railings, stairs, landings or built-in features such as benches can cost more to repair than the decking because of the additional time required to match the existing design and materials.

If deck stairs are loose, a contractor can usually fix the problem by securing it with screws. This job can add a few hundred dollars to the overall cost, depending on how many stairs need to be fixed.

It’s time to call in the pros to get a repair estimate if your deck:

• has boards or railings that are loose, broken, or cracked
• has screws or nails that are missing, loose, or protruding
• has dry rot, mold or mildew

Stains and blemishes caused by day-to-day use don’t necessarily need to be repaired right away, but they do ruin the aesthetics of a beautiful deck. And, if left untreated for too long, they can cause problems down the road.

You can find and hire a top-rated deck contractor (or a general contractor) by following these steps:  

• Read client reviews. Read the positive and negative reviews to identify a contractor who's professional, trustworthy and great at what they do. 
• Look at before-and-after photos. Contractors (and their customers) often post photos of their past deck repair projects online. Look for photos on their profiles and websites, or ask them to send photos if you can't find any online.
• Ask for cost estimates. For bigger repair jobs, ask the professional to come and take a look at the damage, so you can get an accurate estimate of how much it will cost and how long it will take. For smaller jobs, take photos of the damage and send them to the contractor. And get their cost estimates in writing.
• Compare prices. But remember that the lowest price isn’t always the best. A pro who offers a suspiciously low price may not offer quality work, and a pro who charges more likely does so because they have the experience and workmanship to warrant higher prices.
• Hire a licensed and insured company. Make sure the pro or company is legally registered in your state to operate as a business. And find out if they have policies that will protect you and your property in case of damage. Learn more about insurance and licenses by visiting Thumbtack's Smart Hiring guide.

Repairing your deck isn't always cheap. Here are a few ways to save money:

• Buy the materials yourself from your local hardware store. Some contractors charge a 10% to 15% “handling fee” premium on the materials they buy.
• Compare quotes. Get free estimates for labor costs from at least three contractors to ensure a fair price, keeping in mind that you get what you pay for.
• Consult a handyman for simpler jobs. If the repairs are small, like popped nails or a couple of loose boards, hire a handyman instead of a decking company.
• Repair your deck in the off-season. The most popular time for deck building and repair is during the warmer months. So if the weather permits, having your deck repaired between November and March may save you money.
• Maintain your deck throughout the year. The best way to avoid repairs is by regularly cleaning and sealing your deck to protect it from damage and ensure it stays in good shape.