Storm damage from this week's Nor'easter? Send one photo and get a free damage score in about a minute. See storm reports near you
Deck Repair Costs: What Homeowners Typically Pay
Replacing a few boards or re-securing a loose rail or step typically costs $150–$800, and rebuilding a railing section or a set of stairs runs $400–$1,500. Structural repairs to rotted joists, posts, or the ledger cost $1,500–$5,000, and tearing out and rebuilding a typical 300-square-foot pressure-treated deck costs $9,000–$18,000.
Not sure if yours is safe? Send a photo and get a damage score with a typical cost for your area in about a minute.
Updated September 2026
Get your Damage Score
Typical deck repair costs
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Few boards / loose rail or step re-secured | $150–$800 |
| Railing section or stairs rebuilt | $400–$1,500 |
| Clean, sand, stain and seal whole deck | $600–$2,000 |
| Structural repair / rotted joists, posts, beam, ledger | $1,500–$5,000 |
| Resurface / all new boards on existing frame (~300 sq ft) | $4,500–$10,000 |
| Full tear-out and rebuild, pressure-treated (~300 sq ft) | $9,000–$18,000 |
National typical ranges, compiled from published 2025–2026 home repair cost guides and rounded. Your Damage Score adjusts them for your state. A contractor's quote after seeing the job is the only firm price.
For a small deck fix
Have a licensed pro check anything that moves, sags, or feels soft underfoot.
- Exterior wood filler(opens Amazon in a new tab)
Fills small cracks and screw holes.
- Deck screws(opens Amazon in a new tab)
Replace popped nails with screws that hold.
- Deck cleaner(opens Amazon in a new tab)
Clean before you stain or seal.
- Deck stain and sealer(opens Amazon in a new tab)
Keeps water out of the wood.
Links open Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Common deck problems and how serious they are
How serious each one usually is, on the same scale as your Damage Score. Your photo decides where yours actually lands.
The ledger board pulling away from the house
SeriousThe ledger is the board that attaches the deck to the house. A gap, missing bolts, or water stains below it are a common failure point. Keep people off until it's checked.
A wobbly or loose railing
SeriousLoose fasteners or a rotted post base. A railing that gives way is a fall hazard, especially on a raised deck.
Soft or rotted posts or joists
SeriousIf a screwdriver sinks in easily, the wood is rotting. Keep people off the area and have a pro look at it right away.
Loose stairs or rotted treads
SeriousStairs take the most wear and are where many deck injuries happen. Rotted stringers underneath mean the stairs need rebuilding.
A sagging or bouncy deck
ModerateRotted or undersized joists, or footings that have sunk. Have a pro look at it promptly, and stay off it if the sag is pronounced.
Rusted hardware or joist hangers
ModerateThe metal connectors hold the frame together. Heavy rust weakens them and should be replaced.
Cracked, split, or cupped boards
LowUsually weathering. Have soft or split boards replaced, especially anywhere someone could trip.
Popped nails or screws
LowWood moves with the seasons and pushes fasteners up. Easy to fix yourself, and worth doing before someone trips.
Gray, splintering wood, or slippery mildew
LowSun and moisture without a sealer. Cleaning and sealing brings it back; clean off mildew soon, since it's slick when wet.
Check these before anyone uses the deck
- Where the deck meets the house: look for a gap, missing or rusted bolts, and water stains on the siding or the foundation below.
- Push firmly on every railing. It shouldn't move.
- Probe posts and joists with a screwdriver near the ground and anywhere water collects. Soft wood is rotting wood.
- Walk the stairs and look underneath at the stringers.
- Look at the metal hangers and connectors under the deck for heavy rust.
What drives the cost of deck repair
- Size, and whether the work is surface-level or structural.
- Material. Pressure-treated wood is the least expensive; composite costs roughly half again as much, and hardwoods more.
- Height and stairs. Raised decks need more support, and every step adds cost.
- Permits, which most towns require for structural work.
- Demolition and hauling when old boards or a whole deck come out.
Repair or replace your deck?
Repair when the frame is sound and the damage is in one area. If the boards are worn but the frame is solid, resurfacing with new boards costs $4,500–$10,000, well under a full rebuild.
Replacement makes more sense when the deck is 15 to 20 or more years old, rot runs through the frame, it sways when people move on it, or repairs would cost around half the price of a new deck.
What you can safely do yourself
- Reset popped nails and screws, replace a single board, and wash, stain, and seal the deck.
- Tighten railing hardware, as long as the post itself is solid.
- Leave posts, joists, the ledger, stair stringers, railings on raised decks, and any sagging to a pro.
Know how serious it is before you call a pro
Start with your score. Send one photo and you'll see how serious it is and what it typically costs in your area, so you know what to expect when licensed local deck builders quote the job. Free, no account.
Common questions
How much does it cost to replace deck boards?
A few boards, including labor, typically cost $150–$800. Replacing all the boards on a sound frame, about 300 square feet, runs $4,500–$10,000.
How much does it cost to refinish a deck?
Cleaning, sanding, staining, and sealing a whole deck typically costs $600–$2,000, depending on its size and condition.
How do I know if my deck is safe?
Check the connection to the house, the railings, the posts and joists, and the stairs, as described above. If the ledger is pulling away, a railing moves, or posts are soft, keep people off it until a pro has looked.
When should I replace my deck instead of repairing it?
When rot runs through the frame, the deck sways, it's 15 to 20 or more years old, or repairs approach half the cost of new. A full rebuild of a typical 300-square-foot pressure-treated deck costs $9,000–$18,000.
Repair costs for the rest of the house
AI estimate, not an inspection. This score comes from a photo, and a photo can't show everything. Whatever the score, always have a licensed professional inspect the damage before you make repair, safety, or insurance decisions. Cost ranges are typical figures for your area, not quotes. We never tell you whether to file an insurance claim.
When you ask for quotes, the contractor network that receives your request may pay us. That never changes your score. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.