Before
AfterFuquay-Varina, NC
Deck stairs rebuilt with new lumber
HomeCloud rebuilt the worn, rotting deck stairs with new pressure-treated treads and risers.
Deck and exterior stair repair cost
Staining, replacing boards, ledger and post repairs, railings and outdoor stairs.
Recent HomeCloud projects
Real HomeCloud jobs, before and after. Click through to see more.
BeforeAfter
Before
AfterRocky Mount, NC
Rotted back steps replaced
HomeCloud replaced the rotted back steps with new pressure-treated stairs.
Before
AfterWake Forest, NC
Lower deck boards and rails replaced, new steps added
HomeCloud replaced the worn boards and rails on the lower deck and added new steps.
Decks wear from the top down and the bottom up. The surface needs a fresh coat of stain or paint every so often, and boards rot where water sits. Underneath, the connections that hold the deck to the house and the posts to the ground matter most for safety.
Outdoor stairs and railings come up often too: loose or missing railings, open risers, handrails without returns and worn brick steps. Many of these are safety items.
Deck repairs
| Work | Most homes | Middle price | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stain or paint the deck | $1,100 to $1,720 | $1,300 | The 11% of homes where it was priced |
| Replace rotting deck boards | $280 to $690 | $460 | Limited number of homes |
| Install ledger flashing | $420 to $570 | $420 | Limited number of homes |
| Fasten the ledger board properly | $450 to $730 | $620 | Limited number of homes |
| Install deck post brackets | $460 to $480 | $460 | Limited number of homes |
| Replace damaged decking | $200 to $880 | $750 | Limited number of homes |
| Secure a loose deck railing | $200 to $400 | $250 | Limited number of homes |
| Upgrade an older deck for safety | $230 to $490 | $410 | Limited number of homes |
What HomeCloud reports priced this fix at in homes we evaluated Sep 2025 to Oct 2026. The range is the middle half of homes; the middle price is the median. Your price comes from a written estimate for your home.
Stair and railing repairs
| Work | Most homes | Middle price | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repair a handrail | $170 to $280 | $170 | The 13% of homes where it was priced |
| Repair mortar on brick steps | $320 to $520 | $330 | The 10% of homes where it was priced |
| Close open stair risers | $380 to $480 | $400 | The 8% of homes where it was priced |
| Install a stair railing | $540 to $700 | $650 | Limited number of homes |
| Secure a loose stair railing | About $300 | Limited number of homes | |
| Fix damaged exterior stairs | $180 to $460 | $280 | Limited number of homes |
| Fix wood rot on stairs | $250 to $400 | $300 | Limited number of homes |
| Even out stair riser heights | $290 to $450 | $350 | Limited number of homes |
What HomeCloud reports priced this fix at in homes we evaluated Sep 2025 to Oct 2026. The range is the middle half of homes; the middle price is the median. Your price comes from a written estimate for your home.
What affects the price
- Size of the deck
- Staining and board replacement are driven by square footage. A second-story deck takes more time and safety equipment.
- Hidden rot
- Boards, joists and posts can be rotted where you can't see them. The full scope may not be known until boards come up.
- Structure vs. surface
- Surface work like stain and boards costs less than structural work like the ledger, posts, footings and joist hangers.
- Wood or composite
- Composite boards cost more than pressure-treated wood and don't need stain, but matching older composite can be hard.
- Many items at once
- An older deck with many safety items can cost nearly as much to fix as to rebuild, so it's worth pricing both.
Common questions
What is a ledger board, and why does it matter?
The ledger is the board that attaches the deck to the house. It should be bolted to the house framing and covered with flashing so water doesn't get behind it. A ledger that pulls loose is a common cause of deck failures.
How do I know when the deck needs stain?
Sprinkle some water on the boards. If it soaks in instead of beading up, the finish is worn and it's time for a new coat.
Is an older deck safe to use?
Many older decks were built before today's safety standards. That doesn't mean they're unsafe, but loose railings, wide baluster gaps and an unbolted ledger should be fixed before heavy use.
More exterior resources
What kind of siding do I have?How to tell vinyl, fiber cement, wood, Masonite hardboard and brick veneer apart, what each needs, and when replacing beats repairing.Deck maintenance and safetyHow often to clean and finish a deck, wood vs. composite, and the safety checks to make each year: ledger, posts, railings, baluster gaps and stairs.Grading and drainage around your homeHow water should move away from the house, signs of negative grading, how downspouts fit in, and fixes from regrading to French drains.
Other exterior repairs
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