Los Altos, 811 sq ft of redwood on the original frame.
We took off the old boards, kept the original framing, reinforced it where it needed it and laid new redwood, hand-selected to reduce visible knots. Every fastener is hidden.
See this projectWhat a remodel means here
For us, deck remodeling means deck resurfacing: the frame stays, the decking comes off and new boards go on. You can switch materials at the same time, for example from worn wood to composite.
An old frame is rarely ready as it is. Almost every time, we reinforce or repair parts of it before the new boards go down, and that work is in the quote from the start.
Not sure which one your deck needs?
This points you to the right page; it is not a diagnosis.
Gray boards don't rule out rot underneath, and a frame isn't sound just because it is pressure-treated. We check the frame during the free on-site estimate; for a repair, text us photos first. Any one of the warning signs is reason enough to have the deck looked at.
- The surface has gone gray and rough, but the boards are sound.Refinishing and staining
- Real damage: rotted joists or posts, soft spots, a floor that bounces, or many boards cracking or rotting at once.Text us photos first. We tell you which side your deck is on, then we come out.Deck repair
- The boards are worn out, and the frame has passed our check.New boards on the existing frameYou are on this page
- Rot in the parts that carry the load, a frame that isn't pressure-treated and is more than 15 years old, no metal connectors, or a deck that wobbles when you walk across it.Full deck replacement
Small fixes — a loose screw, one board, a squeaky step, a single wobbly railing, a couple of stair treads — are usually better value with a local handyman. We take repairs where a large part of the decking or the frame needs work.
How to decide: repair or replaceWhat it costs
A remodel costs about $5 per sq ft less than a new deck in the same material, because the frame is already there. On a ground-level deck with Eva-Last composite boards that comes to:
- Eva-Last Infinity$45per sq ft
- Eva-Last Apex Plus$55per sq ft
- Eva-Last Pioneer$65per sq ft
Raised and elevated decks cost more, and redwood and pressure-treated decks are priced by their own rates. The rule stays the same: about $5 per sq ft less than a new deck.
That rule holds for a pressure-treated frame that has passed our on-site check. If the frame does not pass, the job is priced as a replacement.
Your final number comes after the on-site estimate, in a written, itemized proposal.
Book a free on-site estimateTwo decks we remodeled
Los Gatos, a second-story deck in the trees.
The boards were gray and the white railing no longer fit the setting. We took off the old decking, repaired the raised framing underneath and laid 300 sq ft of new Construction Common redwood, with 77 feet of redwood cable railing along the edge.
See this projectReal projects, same crew start to finish
They worked with my existing materials at my request to mitigate expenses. Work was completed on time, efficiently, and with great attention to detail.
Ryan V., Aptos · Thumbtack · Aug 2023
Questions about remodeling
Is deck remodeling the same as deck resurfacing?
For us, yes. We keep the frame, take off the old boards and put new ones on. If the deck needs a new layout or a new frame, that's a replacement.
How do you know if my frame can stay?
We check it on site: the type and age of the lumber, metal connectors at the joints, rot, the number of footings and the size of the joists and beams. If any of the six conditions above shows up, we recommend replacing the whole deck and tell you why.
Can I put composite boards on my old wood frame?
Often, yes, but composite needs joists closer together than many older decks have: 16 inches apart for boards laid straight and 12 inches for a diagonal pattern (Trex and TimberTech install guides). On a frame built at 24 inches, we add joists first.
Is a remodel always cheaper than a new deck?
Per square foot, yes: about $5 less than a new deck in the same material. It only saves money when the frame is worth keeping, which is why we check the frame before we quote.
Do I need a permit to resurface my deck?
It depends on your city and on what changes. These city pages explain the rules: San Jose, Palo Alto, Saratoga. Before you sign, we tell you whether your project needs one.
What's the first step?
Send us your ZIP and a few photos of the deck. We'll set up a visit, check the frame and tell you whether it's a remodel or a replacement.