How much does deck repair cost in 2026?
Cost breakdown
| Job type | Typical low | Typical high |
|---|---|---|
| General deck repair, per square foot | $10 | $50 |
| Board replacement, installed per square foot | $15 | $35 |
| Pressure-treated pine boards, per square foot | $3 | $7 |
| Cedar boards, per square foot | $6 | $11 |
| Staining, per square foot | $3 | $6 |
| Staining, typical whole deck | $550 | $1,250 |
| Full refinish incl. sanding, per square foot | $4 | $9 |
| Sealing boards only, per square foot | $1 | $4 |
What repairs cost by job
Most deck repairs land between $10 and $50 per square foot depending on how much is being touched. Board-only replacement is $15 to $35 per square foot installed. By material, pressure-treated pine boards run $3 to $7 per square foot and cedar $6 to $11, before labour. Staining alone is $2.96 to $6.16 per square foot, which works out at $550 to $1,250 for a typical deck. A full refinish — sanding back, then new stain and sealer — is $4.45 to $8.87.
Boards are cheap, structure is not
The single question that decides your budget is whether the damage is in the surface or the frame. Deck boards are consumable: they weather, they cup, and swapping a dozen is straightforward work. Joists, beams, ledger and posts are structural, and rot there is a different conversation — both because the repair is far more invasive and because a failing ledger board is how decks collapse. Before pricing new boards, have someone check the frame underneath. Replacing the surface on a rotten structure is money spent twice.
Staining, sealing and refinishing are different jobs
These get used interchangeably and cost quite differently. Sealing is $1.00 to $3.50 per square foot for boards plus $5 to $8 per linear foot for rails and spindles — it repels water but adds no colour. Staining at $2.96 to $6.16 adds colour and some protection. Refinishing at $4.45 to $8.87 includes sanding back the old finish first, which is what you need when the existing coat is peeling rather than merely faded. Ask which one you are being quoted for; the words are often used loosely.
Railings are priced separately
Rails and spindles are quoted by linear foot rather than square foot, because the work is fiddly per unit of area — a lot of edges, a lot of brush time. On a deck with substantial railing, this can be a surprising share of the total, and it is a common gap between a quote and an invoice. If the deck has railings, ask explicitly whether they are included and at what rate.
When DIY is realistic
Cleaning, sealing and staining are genuinely DIY: the materials are inexpensive, the tools are a brush and a roller, and mistakes are recoverable next season. Replacing a handful of surface boards is also within reach if you can match the existing material. Anything structural is not — ledger connections, joists and post footings are what hold the deck up, and diagnosing them takes someone who knows what they are looking at underneath.
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Find a handyman near you →Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace deck boards? ▾
$15 to $35 per square foot installed. The boards themselves are $3 to $7 for pressure-treated pine and $6 to $11 for cedar; the rest is labour.
What does it cost to stain a deck? ▾
$2.96 to $6.16 per square foot, typically $550 to $1,250 for a whole deck. Add rails and spindles, which are quoted separately by linear foot.
What is the difference between staining, sealing and refinishing? ▾
Sealing repels water and adds no colour. Staining adds colour and some protection. Refinishing sands the old finish off first and is what you need when the existing coat is peeling rather than faded. They are three different prices, so confirm which you are being quoted.
When is a deck not worth repairing? ▾
When the damage is structural. Boards are consumable and cheap to swap; rotted joists, posts or ledger are what hold the deck up. Have the frame checked before paying for a new surface, or you will pay for it twice.
Are railings included in a deck quote? ▾
Often not. Rails and spindles are priced by linear foot because they are slow per unit of area, and on a deck with a lot of railing they are a meaningful share of the bill. Ask explicitly.
How often should a deck be resealed? ▾
Most decks need attention every two to three years, sooner in harsh sun or heavy rain. Water beading on the surface means the seal is intact; water soaking straight in means it is due.
Can I stain a deck myself? ▾
Yes — cleaning, sealing and staining are realistic DIY with a brush and a roller, and a poor result is recoverable next season. Structural work is not.
What is the ledger board and why does it matter? ▾
It is the board attaching the deck to the house, and it carries much of the load. Ledger failure is a common cause of deck collapse, so it is worth having inspected specifically rather than assumed sound.
Sources
Figures on this page are billed rates paid by homeowners unless stated otherwise. Wage data measures what a worker earns and is not the same quantity as a billed rate.
- HomeGuide — Deck repair cost by job type — accessed 2026-08-24
- Homewyse — Cost to refinish a deck, May 2026 ($4.45–$8.87 per square foot) — accessed 2026-08-24
- Homewyse — Cost to stain a deck, May 2026 ($2.96–$6.16 per square foot) — accessed 2026-08-24