Deck and porch repairers near you

When looking for a professional to repair your deck, make sure you complete the following steps: 

• Verify their license and insurance: A general contractor’s license or a similar license may be required in some areas. Do your research to see what regulations are in your area. Your pro should also have insurance to cover accidents or damage during the deck repair.

• Get several estimates: Your estimates should include materials, labor, associated fees (like permits) and a breakdown of all included tasks. Compare estimates to help ensure you’re paying a fair price.

• Read their reviews: The green flags you should look for are positive reviews regarding quality, professionalism and service. Some red flags may include a recurring theme of poor communication, missed deadlines, faulty quality, material defects or subpar materials. 

• Look at their portfolios: Portfolios are an excellent way to get visual proof of a pro’s previous deck repair projects. Look for projects similar in scope and design to your own to help you determine if they have the right experience to fit your needs.

• Find out if they offer warranties: Ask whether the pro includes a warranty or guarantee for their workmanship and/or materials. Make sure you understand how long the warranty lasts and what is (and isn’t) covered. Reading the fine print is always a good idea.

• Ask important questions: For example, find out if they have worked on any projects similar to yours and how they typically handle problems when they come up during a job, including how and when they would involve you in any decision making.  

For more tips, visit Thumbtack’s Smart Hiring page.

Some common deck issues that may require a professional’s expertise include: 

• Fading or discoloration: This could mean the protective coating originally applied to your deck has worn away. When this happens, you’ll want to have it treated. You can have it stained and sealed, or just sealed. Not only does this help improve your deck’s appearance, but it can help protect the wood over time. 

• Loosened parts: Your railing, hardware, ledgers, stairs, deck boards and other parts can get loosened over time. They may need to be tightened or replaced.

• Damaged deck boards: Deck boards can become warped or cracked. Oftentimes, they must be replaced.

• Damaged hardware: Your hardware could become damaged from rust or due to being loosened and should be addressed. 

• Rot: Wood out in the elements can become rotten, especially when the seal or stain has worn away. Rotted wood can be a safety issue.

• Footing problems: You may notice your deck has started to sink into the ground or is sagging in the middle. These are often signs of footing problems from erosion, settling, damage to the footing or other issues.

• Pest damage: Termites and similar pests can wreak havoc on the wood, causing it to be unsafe.

The national average cost to repair a deck ranges from around $1,038 to $4,286,* according to Thumbtack data.

There are several factors that might impact the cost of this project, including: 

• Minor vs. major repairs: Pricing will depend on the deck’s condition and the repair type. Minor surface repairs (like small cracks, fixing one board or staining/sealing) are typically less expensive than more extensive structural repairs (wood rot, water damage or replacing an entire portion of the deck) because they don’t require as much time or materials. 

• Deck size: Your deck’s size may affect your costs. Generally, a smaller deck will be less expensive than one that is more complicated because it requires fewer materials.

• Materials: A deck made of cheaper wood like pine will likely be less costly to repair than a deck made of more exotic hardwoods, composite decking or custom materials.

You might be able to save money on your project with these tips: 

• Preventative maintenance: Addressing minor issues before they become major problems can help reduce the need for repairs.  

• Reuse or repurpose materials: Sometimes, not all materials involved in your repair need to be thrown out. Speak with your pros about what can safely be reused for your repairs or what you can use for other projects. 

• Minimize waste: Cutting boards to maximize the amount of wood used for the deck with little waste can help reduce the amount of materials you’ll need to purchase. 

*Data on file at Thumbtack. For a personalized cost estimate, request a quote from a professional.

A few factors are involved when considering whether to repair or replace your old deck. Deck repair is often cheaper than a replacement, but there are some situations where it may still be better to replace it.

Here are a few things to consider when deciding to repair or replace your deck:

• Your deck’s condition: If your old deck only needs minor repairs and should still be safe for years, it may be best to stick with repairing rather than replacing it. 

• If extensive repairs are needed: Consider replacing it. For instance, if you’ve had termite damage or the wood has extensive dry rot, it may be time to replace it. If you repair it, you may have to pay for more over time to address any lingering issues. Or, you may need to replace it soon after the repairs, costing you more money in the long run.

• Your personal needs: Maybe you want to go with a different layout to fit your lifestyle, or you want to upgrade the materials to improve its durability. It may be better to start from scratch by replacing your deck rather than trying to retrofit your existing deck to match your vision.

Consult a deck professional to discuss your options and get a recommendation.

In most cases, a professional will take the following steps when fixing your deck: 

• Inspection: A repair will likely start with a thorough inspection. Some damage isn’t easy to see, so it’s essential for the pro to visibly check it over to find as many issues as possible. Depending on your deck, there’s a chance they may find additional problems during the inspection.

• Estimate: Once the inspection is complete, you can expect them to create an estimate for the needed repairs.

• Structural issues: After you approve the estimate, the company will likely start by handling any structural problems. Typically, this will go in a bottom-to-the-top order. For instance, footings may be repaired before damaged railings.

• Protection: Once the structural repairs are complete, your deck may be stained or sealed to help protect it from UV rays and water damage. This step can help improve your deck’s longevity.

In most cases, it’s best to hire a professional to fix your deck. When deciding between DIY vs. hiring a professional, consider the following: 

• Tools and materials: Fixing your deck can require many tools, depending on what needs to be done. You may need safety gear, a tape measure, chalk line, level, hammer, screwdriver, circular saw, miter saw, hand saw, speed square, shovel, clamps, saw horse, jigsaw, sander, hardware and wood. That’s a lot for an individual to buy — no less learn to use

• Speed: A pro’s efficiency is typically due to their experience and knowledge. They can often handle your deck repairs much faster than the average homeowner who doesn’t have much hands-on experience with it.

• Quality: A professional is usually able to thoroughly inspect your deck and identify any areas of weakness, not just the easily visible ones. Their experience and expertise can help ensure your deck is strong and structurally sound. Plus, they often have access to high-quality materials that may help improve your deck’s longevity.

• Safety and compliance: Hiring a professional for deck work can help ensure your project is done safely. They typically help ensure you’ve secured the correct permits. Also, the best pros tend to have insurance and warranties to help cover the cost of defective materials and other issues that may arise.