Deck Repair and Inspection in Kirkland & the Eastside
Most decks that collapse give warnings first: a soft spot at the house, a railing that moves, a post that leans, a ledger with a dark stain below it. Hans Construction inspects decks and repairs what can be repaired, from a few boards to a new ledger and posts, at $1,500 to $15,000 for typical repairs. When repair costs approach replacement, we say so.
Book a Deck Inspection — we probe, measure and give you a written finding.
Book a Deck Inspection Call +1(425) 518-1187
What a deck inspection checks
- Ledger connection: flashing, fasteners, rot in the ledger and the house rim behind it. (Why the ledger fails first.)
- Joists and beams: rot at bearing points and tops, sagging, missing hangers.
- Posts and footings: rot at grade, post-to-beam connections, footing depth and settling.
- Lateral stability: sway, diagonal bracing, hold-down connections.
- Railings: post firmness under push, height, opening size.
- Stairs: stringer condition, riser consistency, handrail, landing.
- Decking: soft boards, fastener pops, trip hazards.
- Drainage and clearance: water pooling, soil against wood, ventilation under the deck.
You receive a written summary with photos, each item rated safe, monitor or repair, and a cost for the repairs.
Common repairs and costs
| Repair | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Board replacement, up to 50 sq ft, color-matched where possible | $900 – $2,500 |
| Railing posts reinforced or replaced, one side of a deck | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Rotted post replaced on new footing | $900 – $2,200 each |
| Ledger reflashed and refastened, minor rim repair | $2,500 – $6,500 |
| Ledger and rim replacement with siding repair | $5,000 – $12,000 |
| Lateral bracing added to an elevated deck | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Stair rebuild | $2,500 – $8,000 |
| Inspection with written report | $250 – $450, credited to repairs |
When repair stops making sense
If the ledger, several joists and posts all need replacement, the deck is effectively being rebuilt one piece at a time. At that point a replacement on new framing costs a modest amount more and gives a deck with a full lifespan and, if you want it, a better layout. Our guide Repair or Replace an Old Deck? sets out how to decide.
Before selling a house
Buyers' inspectors flag decks more often than almost any other exterior item. A pre-listing deck inspection and repair documentation removes the negotiation.
A deck repair we built
Ledger and post repair on an elevated deck
Deck repair questions
How often should a deck be inspected?
Every few years for a sound deck, and after any winter where you notice movement or soft spots. Elevated decks deserve more attention than ground-level ones.
My railing wiggles. Is that dangerous?
It means the post connection has loosened or rotted. A railing should resist a firm push without movement; repair it before anyone leans on it.
Can you match my old composite boards?
Often within a color family; discontinued colors may require replacing a full section or using a border to separate old and new.
Do repairs need a permit?
Like-for-like board and railing repairs usually do not; structural repairs to ledgers, beams and posts often do.
Send photos of the ledger and the posts. We will tell you what we see.