Repairing a deck with termite damage - Please help!

Land & New Construction
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Repairing a deck with termite damage - Please help!

Natalie Hahn
Member since 2019 · 25 posts · 3 votes

A termite company found extensive termite damage on the deck of our house and is offering to do a repair/remodel and bringing it up to code for $15,000. Our deck is very old and needs a lot of work, but this still seems like an awfully high price. They did not say what type of wood they would use. We don't have any experience in deck repairs though, so wanted to ask if this is normal amount?

I haven't measured the deck size, but looking at pictures of similar sized decks this one seems like it's around 12x20 or 12x24 at the most. This particular termite company also has a general contractor license so they are also able to do remodels and certify them as being termite-free. The house is located in the SF Bay Area, if that makes any difference. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Below is a picture of a deck that is similar in size/layout to the deck of our house:

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Thomas S.
Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
7y

You do not use your termite company to repair your deck. Get quotes from multiple contractors, never trust the guy that finds your problem to give a quote.

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  • Caleb Heimsoth
    Rental Property Investor · Durham, NC · Member since 2016 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    7y

    @Natalie Hahn is it possible to just remove the deck?

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  • Natalie Hahn
    OP
    Member since 2019 · 25 posts · 3 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Caleb Heimsoth:

    @Natalie Hahn is it possible to just remove the deck?

     I would assume so? I don't really know. What's the usual cost for a completely new deck of this size?

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  • Caleb Heimsoth
    Rental Property Investor · Durham, NC · Member since 2016 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Natalie Hahn:
    Originally posted by @Caleb Heimsoth:

    @Natalie Hahn is it possible to just remove the deck?

     I would assume so? I don't really know. What's the usual cost for a completely new deck of this size?

    I’m not sure but I’d look at cost of removing it to, if this is a rental 

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  • Dutch Langley
    Flipper/Rehabber · Matthews, NC · Member since 2019 · 198 posts · 239 votes
    7y

    I would put it at about $12K here - removal, dumpster, permit and build new. It's all PT wood and pretty simple design I would keep it since you have a sliding door where people are supposed to walk out of.

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  • Thomas S.
    Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    7y

    You do not use your termite company to repair your deck. Get quotes from multiple contractors, never trust the guy that finds your problem to give a quote.

    3Reply
  • Seth Holmen
    Architect · St. Charles, IL · Member since 2018 · 95 posts · 70 votes
    7y

    Where is the termite damage? Can you just repair what’s damages without a complete rebuild?

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  • Daniel Beaston
    Escondido CA · Member since 2018 · 61 posts · 12 votes
    7y

    @Natalie Hahn I’ve built several decks and I’d say about 10-12k depending upon material. The pressure treated wood costs next to nothing but if you do a vinyl that’ll alone ball park 7-8k. Just depends on the material you go with. Hope this helps.

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  • Mike ReynoldsPro Member
    construction · Nacogdoches, TX · Member since 2011 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7y

    @Natalie Hahn I firmly stand with @Thomas S. Get other bids from these type of contractors. 15k is not out of line because they first have to demo the old out. There may be other underlying issues you may not be aware of. 

    Last year I went to a client who had a hack "build" her a 900 sq foot gazebo. She had 12k in it and all she had to show for it was a deck (all 8 sides were different sizes), three stairs (none of them code compliant) and some very crooked lumber that had been left out in the rain. 20k later and much demo of new wood we had her gazebo built. It could have been done by me for 15k if I had started it from the beginning. Not saying your termite guy isn't the right guy to use but be sure and check his previous work first. 

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  • Marc Winter
    Real Estate Broker · Northeast PA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    7y

    Get another opinion on the termites AND cost of deck rebuild.  

    These are some questions you'll need answers to when you speak with the contractor:  How old is the existing deck?  What was the original deck's materials (PT wood, cedar, untreated, etc)?  Are there signs of an ACTIVE infestation?  Did the termite inspector tell you and show you specifically where the damage occurred?  Are the posts set on concrete pillars that conform to current codes?  Was the ledger board affected/infected?

    If there is evidence of an active infestation,  you'll need to get a certified pest control company to do a termite treatment.  You'll also need to have them inspect the interior of the house to make sure those little critters didn't become unpaying/uninvited tenants. 

    After you have the treatment, then you can get the deck repaired or, if absolutely necessary, demoed and rebuilt.  Make sure the contractor takes away every single bit of affected wood that is cut out or taken down. 

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