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InsightHorizon Digest

How much does a deck renovation cost

Author

John Parsons

Updated on March 21, 2026

If the deck is old or decrepit, removal costs $5 to $15 per square foot, so taking down a 10 x 12-foot deck would set you back about $1,200. A new wood deck costs an average of $14,360, according to Remodeling magazine, and a new composite deck is over 5 grand more at $19,856.

How much does it cost to refurbish a deck?

On average, the cost to refinish a deck is between $3 and $6.80 per square foot. Since a standard deck measures about 200 square feet, a refinishing project will cost about $600 to $1,360 or $975 on average.

How much does it cost to repaint a deck?

The cost to paint a deck ranges from $600 to $1,500 or about $2 to $5 per square foot. Painting a 300 square foot surface is $1,050 on average, but many factors can increase the price. The labor rate, material condition, and paint quality, for example, can all drive up the total.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace a deck?

Replacement PartsAverage Replacement PartsPosts$200 – $400Footings$300 – $400

Can you just replace deck boards?

If your existing deck is old, shabby and a maintenance nightmare, you don’t have to tear it all down and start over. Chances are that the structural parts are still in good shape. If so, you can simply remodel it with new decking, rails and stairs, and save tons of money over the cost of a complete rebuild.

How often does a wood deck need to be replaced?

A typical wood deck can last anywhere from 15 to 40 years. This will depend on the materials used and the quality of routine maintenance performed. However, if your deck is showing signs of age and is over 20 years old, you should begin considering a deck replacement.

What is the average cost of building a deck?

The average price range of building a new deck in the United States can be anywhere between $4,000 and $11,000. Including materials and labor, a standard deck will cost roughly $30-$60 per square foot. That means, for a standard 14 x 20 foot deck, you can expect to pay around $6,000.

How much does it cost to powerwash a deck?

The average cost to power wash a deck ranges from $119 to $244 with most homeowners paying around $0.35 per square foot. To power wash, stain, and seal your deck, expect to spend between $0.50 and $1.50 per sq. ft. or $0.95 per sq.

How often should you replace your deck?

The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors estimates decks made from wood planks will last about 15 years, while structural wood will give you 10 to 30 years. Composite decking will last anywhere from eight to 25 years.

How much does it cost to strip and paint a deck?

AreaAverage CostFlats / Planks Only$2.47 – $5.50 per square footEntire Deck, Rails, and Spindles$5.11 – $8.20 per square footRails and Spindles$11.84 – $23.77 per linear foot

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Does a deck add value to a house?

Here’s a good one: many homeowners recoup a significant amount of the money they invest in their deck because the deck adds to the resale value of their home. … In fact, a survey from Home Remodeling magazine found that composite decks return about 74% of their original cost and wood decks return about 87%, on average.

How much does it cost to remove and replace deck boards?

Cost to Remove Deck Boards Most deck owners can expect to pay between $5 and $10 per square foot for removing decking. Multi-story decks, decks featuring intricate deck board patterns and layouts, or those outdoor spaces with heavy components like metal railing; deck board removal pricing can be higher.

How hard is it to redo a deck?

Replacing decking is a job well within the skill level of almost every do-it-yourselfer because, in most cases, it does not require digging or placing posts, or beam and joist calculations. “Redecking is basically a board-for-board replacement,” says Dennis. “The only trick is remembering what goes on top of what.”

How much did your deck cost?

The key factor in the total cost of installing a deck is the deck size, of course, and the average cost is $4,000 to $6,500. Building a small deck typically costs around $4,000 on average, a mid-sized deck’s price is around $7,000, whereas the average price for a large deck is from $9,000 or more.

How much does a 20x20 composite deck cost?

Composite Deck QualityCost Per Square Foot InstalledAverage Total CostEntry-Level Composite Deck$20$5,821National Average Cost$28$8,064Premium Composite Deck$38$10,826

How long does a deck last?

A deck made of untreated wood can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years. Decks made of treated wood and composite materials can last as long as 50 years. Many composite decks come with a 20-year warranty – and often a lifetime guarantee.

How do I know if my deck is rotting?

  1. Probe around posts that contact the ground for soft spots as these areas are typically more exposed to moisture.
  2. Search for long sheets of greyish mold or darker looking wood as these are common dry rot indicators.

Can my deck be saved?

A full replacement can make the deck completely safe and functional again. Whether you’re designing an entirely new deck or replicating the homeowner’s current setup, trust Nisbet Brower for all your decking material needs.

What can I do with my old deck?

  1. Sell it. Imagine if you could get rid of all that unwanted wood, and get paid for it! …
  2. Give it away. …
  3. Trash Pick-up. …
  4. Reuse It. …
  5. Trash removal services. …
  6. Local landfill.

Does staining a deck make it last longer?

Paint lasts longer. staining the deck, paint generally comes out as the more durable and colorfast finish, lasting 10 years or longer before requiring re-application. … Stain finishes on decks are more short-lived, lasting from one to eight years before requiring re-application.

What type of deck lasts the longest?

Aluminum and Steel. Aluminum decking is the most expensive out of the deck material and will last the longest with a lifespan of 30+ years. Steel decking can have a lifespan of 60+ years when correctly installed by a professional builder.

Is it OK to power wash decking?

Beware Pressure Washing Damage If you have timber deck boards, a power washer’s pressure may cause splintering and damage to the timber fibers. If the timber surface already has some splintering, pressure washing will only exacerbate the issue. … If the power washing becomes too intense, it can even chip the material.

Should I power wash my deck?

A pressure washer can clean a wood deck much faster than you can scrub it by hand. That is a terrific advantage. However, a pressure washer will frequently destroy the surface of the wood. … Those that are not eroded can be dislodged, leaving the wood fuzzy or rough after it dries.

Is it OK to pressure wash a wood deck?

For cleaning a wooden deck, you’ll be best served by using the lowest pressure setting that’s still effective. For soft woods like cedar or pine, this is usually about 500 to 600 psi. For harder woods, it can go up to 1200 to 1500 psi. … Never get closer than 12 inches from the deck unless you’re using low pressure.

Should you pressure wash deck before staining?

There is a common misconception that just pressure washing a deck prior to staining is all you need to do in order to prep your deck for stain. Pressure washing can help, but if you want your stain to last, using a good deck cleaner and brightener on the deck prior to pressure washing will provide you the best result.

How much does it cost to stain a 10 x10 deck?

A 10’x10′ deck covers 100 square feet, with a typical staining cost of $300. A 12’x12′ deck covers 144 square feet, costing an average of $432. 8’x10′ works out at 80 square feet, with a final cost of $240. A deck measuring 10’x20′ covers 200 square feet for a typical cost of $600.

Does a deck raise your taxes?

How much will a deck affect taxes and resale value? According to IRS guidelines, building a deck is a capital improvement and may increase local property taxes. Taxes vary from city to city, so check with the local tax assessor before beginning construction or repair.

Are decks a good investment?

A deck is an overall solid investment that increases the value of your home, even in a down housing market. You can expect to recoup at least 70-80% of your building expenses when you go to sell your home.

Are Trex decks worth it?

Composite decking is worth the money. It costs more upfront, but thanks to minimal maintenance costs and long life, the annual cost for the life of the fence is significantly cheaper for composite materials. If what you have in mind are the Trex decks of 15 years ago, you’d be surprised to see how far they’ve come.

How much would a 16x16 deck cost?

16×16-foot Raised Deck: You can buy the materials for a 16×16-foot (256 square foot) deck using composite decking materials for about $5,600-$9,800 and build it yourself. A contractor would charge closer to $7,800-$15,700 to construct a deck of this kind.

How do you modernize a wood deck?

  1. Improve the flow of traffic by moving the stairs. …
  2. Refresh a plain wooden deck with stain. …
  3. Hide the dead space under the deck by adding a skirt. …
  4. Fill in blank spaces around the deck with plants. …
  5. Create privacy with screens. …
  6. Add architectural details with an overhead structure.