- The average deck repair costs about $2,000, but that’s only for replacing a small section of rotten or broken boards.
- Powerwashing, staining, and painting should cost less, plus it helps keep your deck in good shape.
- A totally unsalvageable deck is a major expense. It can easily top $10,000 (or more) to dismantle, haul away, and build a replacement.
When you first build your deck, you want to make sure that it can stand the test of time. Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. There are many factors that can shorten the life of your deck. If your deck is in need of some repair (small or large), start by searching online for professionals near you.
If you want to tackle the repairs yourself, read on to get an idea of the expected costs. The price of raw supplies, especially lumber, has gone up dramatically in recent years, so prepare your budget accordingly. An online search is a great place to start to figure out how to get your deck repaired, and what it will cost you.
Power Washing Costs
The average cost to power wash or pressure wash a deck, based on square footage, is $2.00 per square foot. This cleaning service can be an important first step to keep your deck clean and looking its best year-round, as well as protect it from harmful weather conditions. While power washing may appear easy, working with a professional is highly recommended.
You can also invest in your own pressure washer, which retail anywhere from about $300 to over $1,000, based on power and features of the model you want. It may seem like a large upfront cost, but you can powerwash much more than just your deck, once you have it.
Water Sealing Costs
Once your deck is power washed, the next step should be water sealing. Your deck is probably exposed to more sun, rain, and snow than most any other part of your home. If you don’t already know, water sealing is one way you can defend your deck against water damage. While it might seem like an intimidating task at first, but we promise — it isn’t.
The average cost for a professional water sealer is $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot. The price will vary depending on where you live and whether or not you hire a professional or do it yourself. You can probably halve the price if you’re doing it yourself.
Deck Painting Costs
Most people don’t paint their decks, preferring the natural wood look. However, there are some of you out there that prefer a white, brown, or even black deck. If that’s you, you’ll have to apply a fresh coat of paint every five to ten years, depending on your local weather.
The average cost to paint a deck runs between $3 and $5 per square foot. For example, if you have a 200-square-foot deck, expect to pay between $600 and $1,000 for professional painting services. If you want to paint your deck yourself, you’ll spend about half that amount. The good news is that water sealing is usually included in the price of a new paint job.
As far as how much time it will take, be prepared to invest a few weekends into painting; many people underestimate how long it takes to paint a deck thoroughly.
Replacement Deck Boards
Cost to replace rotten or broken deck boards will vary depending on whether you need to replace only a few, like around your stairs, or many. At one end of the spectrum are do-it-yourselfers who can build up their savings account by going at it themselves. The average cost to replace rotted or broken deck boards is $22 per square foot, but DIYers can save as much as $1-$5 per square foot by doing it themselves.
HomeGuide.com says the average deck board replacement job is about $1,280, based on supplies and labor. A professional will also fix your loose stairs or railing for about $250 to $500.
Deck Staining
The average cost to stain a deck, based on square footage, is $1 to $5 per square foot. The cost of staining your deck will vary depending on several factors. If you have a small or simple deck that doesn’t have a lot of extra railings, you can expect staining to cost you somewhere in the $400 to $800 range.
However, if your deck is larger or has more complicated design features and wood types, you may end up paying $1,500 or more for a total re-staining. This is another chore you can probably tackle yourself, if you have the knowledge and free weekends to do so.
Average Cost of Deck Repair and Maintenance
While it’s always a good idea to keep your deck in good shape with routine maintenance, what if something else goes majorly wrong? We’re talking about major storm damage, a fallen tree, or serious rotting from years of neglect.
Depending on how extensive your deck repairs are, you can expect a bill anywhere from $2,000 to $7,000. Depending on where you live and how accessible it is for work crews to get their equipment onto your property, prices can vary greatly. The best thing to do if call some professional contractor and get a few quotes.
If you have an unsalvageable deck, however, be prepared for a bigger bill as you’ll need to completely rebuild it. The raw materials and labor alone can quickly exceed $10,000.
The Bottom Line
Maintenance of your deck will be entirely dependent upon its age, the amount of sunlight it gets, and other environmental factors. However, a typical deck requires general maintenance only once every five years.
However, if you decide to have one part replaced (i.e., a railing), that might require more than just the average deck repair job. In general, the cost of replacing boards will be higher if the condition of the wood is poor or you need very specific types of wood for your needs.
In short, it’s hard to declare what an “average deck repair” would cost. There are just so many specific factors to consider. If your deck needs major help and you don’t know where to start, call a professional for an estimate.
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