Deck repair cost
Most deck repairs are cheap and most deck replacements are expensive. The decision point is usually whether the frame and footings are sound — if they are, almost anything above them can be replaced for a fraction of a rebuild.
Typical repair costs
| Repair | DIY materials | Hired |
|---|---|---|
| Replace one deck board | $15–40 | $120–250 |
| Replace all decking (240 sq ft) | $900–2,500 | $3,000–6,000 |
| Rebuild railing (48 ft) | $600–1,400 | $1,800–3,600 |
| Replace one railing post + blocking | $40–80 | $250–500 |
| Sister one joist | $50–120 | $350–700 |
| Replace stair stringers (3) | $150–300 | $600–1,200 |
| Re-pour one footing | $60–150 | $400–900 |
| Strip and re-stain (240 sq ft) | $150–350 | $700–1,500 |
These are US ranges for 2026. Hired prices assume a small crew and include disposal; the DIY column excludes tools.
The three repairs that are worth doing
- Decking replacement over a sound frame. The highest value repair on a deck: new boards on an existing frame cost 40–50% of a new deck and reset the surface life completely.
- Railing rebuild. A railing is a safety system, and a wobbly one is a hazard. Rebuilding 48 ft is $1,800–3,600 hired, which is far less than a fall.
- Ledger flashing and one rotted joist. Cheap if caught early; if the band joist rots, it becomes a wall repair.
When repair stops making sense
The rule of thumb used in renovation: if the repair exceeds 50% of replacement cost, replace. On a deck, refine it:
- Frame and footings sound, decking and railing gone: repair. This is the common case and it is almost always worth it.
- Two or more rotted joists plus a rotted ledger: the frame is compromised. Rebuild.
- Footings heaved and the frame is out of square: rebuild. Correcting footings under an existing frame costs more than starting again.
- Deck is 25+ years old and built with untreated lumber: the parts you cannot see are the parts that fail. Rebuild.
What to ask before authorising a repair
- Is the ledger attached to framing, and is it flashed?
- Are the footings below frost depth, and have any moved?
- Is the frame square, and is there lateral bracing?
- What is the condition of the joists where they meet the ledger and the beam?
If the answer to the first two is bad, the repair is cosmetic and will not last. Those are the questions a contractor should be able to answer with a look from underneath.
When the number stops being useful
- It does not inspect your deck. Costs depend on what is actually wrong.
- It does not cover structural engineering, which some repairs require.
- It does not include permit costs, which apply to most frame repairs.
- It does not cover insurance claims for storm damage, which follow a different process.
Questions people actually ask
How much does it cost to replace deck boards?
Materials run $900–2,500 for a 240 square foot deck in treated pine, or $3,000–6,000 hired including removal and disposal. Composite costs roughly double in material.
Is it cheaper to repair or rebuild a deck?
Repair, if the frame and footings are sound — replacing decking and railing costs 40–50% of a new deck. If two or more joists and the ledger are rotted, rebuilding is cheaper than correcting the frame.
How much does it cost to fix a wobbly railing?
About $40–80 in materials per post for blocking and through-bolts, or $250–500 hired. A full railing rebuild on 48 feet is $1,800–3,600.
When should a deck be replaced instead of repaired?
When the footings have heaved, more than one joist is rotted, the ledger or band joist is compromised, or the deck is over 25 years old with untreated framing.