Frequently Asked Questions

Angi's 2026 national guide puts the average deck at about $8,321, with most projects between $4,339 and $12,653 and construction at roughly $30 to $60 per square foot. Size, height, material, railings, stairs and a roof all move the price, and local prices can differ from national averages. We give a written, itemized price after seeing the site.

Forbes Home lists a 20x20 (400 square foot) composite deck at about $10,000 to $18,000, with an average near $14,000. Higher-end capped composite lines, a tall deck on a slope, premium railings and stairs push that up. Trex is one composite brand; we price the specific line you choose in your quote.

Usually. Tacoma's What Requires a Permit tip sheet exempts only decks that are 200 square feet or less, no more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to the house and not serving an exit door. Attached, taller and covered decks need a permit. Rules differ in other cities and in unincorporated Pierce County, so we confirm what applies at your address.

An unpermitted deck can surface during a home sale or a later permit application, and the city can require a permit after the fact, which may mean opening up parts of the deck so an inspector can see the footings and framing. An unpermitted deck that was built wrong may also have to be corrected. It is simpler to get the permit at the start; we handle that as part of the job.

Washington cities enforce the state residential code, which is based on the International Residential Code. Common deck requirements include guards on decks more than 30 inches above grade, openings small enough that a 4-inch sphere cannot pass through, stair risers no taller than 7-3/4 inches with treads at least 10 inches deep, handrails 34 to 38 inches above the stair nosing, a flashed and bolted ledger, and lateral load connections to the house. Your permit office sets the exact details.

Both can work. Composite needs less upkeep and does not rot, but it can still grow a film of algae in shade and needs periodic cleaning. Cedar resists decay naturally and costs less up front, but it needs cleaning and a fresh coat of stain or sealer every few years in this climate. Either way, the framing underneath is usually pressure-treated wood, so the water details matter.

Yes. Sloped lots are common in Tacoma. A hillside deck needs taller posts, footings sized for the soil and load, bracing, and stairs and guards that meet code. Steep slopes can also fall under critical-area review, which we check before drawing plans.

National guides put composite decks at about $25 to $54 per square foot installed (Angi) or $25 to $45 (Forbes Home), with a 20x20 deck around $10,000 to $18,000. Height, the board line you choose, railings and stairs move the total. We give you a written price after seeing the site.

Composite can grow a film of algae in shade, and any wet deck surface can be slick. Capped boards with a textured grain, clear drainage gaps and a cleaning once or twice a year help. Ask for samples so you can compare textures.

Sometimes. The frame has to be sound, and composite usually needs joists at 16 inches on center or closer. We probe the ledger, joists and posts first; if the frame is solid and spaced right, resurfacing can save money.

PVC handles moisture best and is lighter, which can matter in very shaded, damp yards or on second-story decks. Capped composite is less expensive and works well for most Tacoma decks. We can price both in your quote.

The boards are typically backed by manufacturer warranties of 25 years or more, but the deck's real life depends on the wood frame underneath. That is why we use ground-contact lumber, joist tape and flashing on every build.

Cedar resists decay naturally, stays straighter and looks better, at a higher price. Pressure-treated lumber is less expensive and is the standard for framing, but boards can check and twist as they dry. Many decks use treated framing with cedar decking and railings.

It depends on how it was built and kept. A deck that drains well, has flashed ledgers and ground-contact framing, and is cleaned and refinished on schedule lasts much longer than one with buried posts and trapped debris. Rot usually starts in the framing, not the boards.

When the wood has dried enough to absorb water. Sprinkle a few drops on the boards; if they bead up, wait. In Tacoma that can take weeks or months depending on the season. Cedar is usually ready sooner.

Fixr lists installed wood decks at about $15 to $25 per square foot for treated lumber and $19 to $29 for cedar. Angi's 12x16 deck range is $5,400 to $10,800. Height, stairs and railings change the total; your written estimate is the price.

Yes. Treated lumber corrodes plain steel, so fasteners and hangers should be hot-dip galvanized or stainless and rated for treated wood. Stainless is the safer choice near salt water.

If the ledger, joists and posts are sound, repair or resurfacing is usually the better value. If rot has reached the ledger or many framing members, replacement is often safer and costs less than repeated patches. We probe the frame and give you both prices when both make sense.

Angi lists the average deck repair at about $2,250, with board replacement and railing repair each running roughly $500 to $4,000. Structural work costs more. Your written estimate is the price.

If the frame is sound and spaced correctly for the new boards, yes. Composite often needs joists at 16 inches on center or closer. We check before recommending it.

Usually because water is trapped: buried posts, no flashing at the ledger, boards set too tight, debris packed in the gaps, or plants holding moisture against the wood. Tacoma's long wet season makes those problems show up quickly.

Small repairs like replacing boards usually do not. Rebuilding the structure of an attached deck or a deck more than 30 inches above grade generally does. We confirm with the permit office for your address.

Fixr lists covered decks at about $40 to $100 per square foot installed, and HomeAdvisor puts adding a roof to a deck at $3,000 to $10,000. Roof type, size, height and lighting move the total. Your written estimate is the price.

A solid roof can, especially on north-facing walls. Clear or translucent panels, skylights, a higher roof pitch or covering only part of the deck keep more light in. We look at which rooms are affected at the estimate.

Yes. Covered decks need a building permit in Tacoma, and the roof framing, attachment and drainage are part of the review. Pergolas may also need one depending on size and attachment.

Often, but many decks were not built to carry a roof. We check the footings, posts and beams and reinforce or replace what is needed before adding the cover.

An open pergola does not. A louvered pergola with closed louvers, a pergola with a clear roof panel, or a retractable canopy does. We can show you the options side by side.

Guards are generally required on decks more than 30 inches above grade, and residential guards are commonly required to be at least 36 inches tall, with openings small enough that a 4-inch sphere cannot pass through. Your permit office has the final word for your address.

Glass blocks the least, followed by cable and slim aluminum balusters. Glass costs the most and needs cleaning; cable needs stiff posts to hold tension. We can show samples at the estimate.

Usually because the posts are notched and bolted to the rim without blocking, or because the post bases or rim joist have rotted. Tightening bolts rarely fixes it for long; posts need proper hardware and solid framing.

Fixr lists wood deck stairs at about $75 to $250 per step installed, depending on whether stringers are pre-cut or custom. Landings, railings and footings add to that.

Yes, if the framing the posts attach to is sound. We check the rim joist and post locations first.

Angi lists deck staining at about $2 to $4 per square foot, with most jobs between $550 and $1,250 and a 12x16 deck around $375 to $775. Heavy prep or stripping old finish costs more.

In a dry stretch, usually late spring through early fall, when the wood has had a few dry days and no rain is expected while the finish cures. July and August are the driest months here.

Angi recommends every two to three years and notes stain typically lasts two to five years. Shady, damp areas and horizontal boards in full sun wear out first.

Semi-transparent stain is a common choice because it soaks in and is less likely to peel. Solid stain covers weathered wood better but forms more of a film, which can peel if moisture gets behind it.

Yes. We scrub and use low pressure on softwoods like cedar, and keep cleaning chemicals and runoff out of storm drains.