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Deck replacement in Tampa Bay
Tear out the old deck, fix what was wrong underneath, and rebuild it in composite or wood.
Most decks we replace in Tampa Bay fail from the bottom up. The boards on top look tired, but the real problem is underneath: posts sitting on blocks or bare dirt, joists soft at the ends, rusted hangers and ledger boards pulling away from the house. Swapping the boards alone just hides that for a while.
Signs your deck needs replacing, not repairing
- Boards are soft, spongy or cracked across many areas, not just one or two.
- Posts lean, sit on concrete blocks, or are rotted at the base.
- Joists are soft when you press a screwdriver into them, especially at the ends.
- The ledger board where the deck meets the house is pulling away, or flashing is missing.
- Railings move when you lean on them.
- Metal hangers and connectors are rusted through.
If it's just a few boards or one loose rail, see deck repair instead.
Resurface or full replacement?
| Option | What it is | When it works |
|---|---|---|
| Resurface | Keep the frame, replace boards, fascia and railing | Frame is solid, level and spaced tightly enough for the new boards |
| Re-frame | Keep good footings, rebuild joists and beams | Footings are sound, framing is not |
| Full replacement | Tear out everything, new footings, frame, boards and rail | Posts on blocks, rot in the structure, or a new layout |
Composite boards usually need joists closer together than an old wood deck had. Many older decks were framed at 16 or 24 inches on center; we build new framing at 12. We check every joist before recommending a resurface.
What a replacement includes
- Demolition and haul-off of the old deck. If you'd rather tear it out yourself, we'll take that line off the quote.
- New concrete footings and posts, held off the ground.
- New pressure-treated framing at 12 inches on center, properly flashed and attached at the house.
- New composite or wood decking, fascia, stairs and railing.
- Permit and inspections.
Buying or selling a home with a bad deck?
Home inspectors flag decks all the time. We can look at the deck, read the inspection notes, and give you a written replacement price you can use in negotiations with the seller.
Common questions
How much does deck replacement cost in Tampa?
Replacement costs about the same as a new deck of the same size and material, plus demolition and haul-off. Our recent ground-level composite decks have run about $41 to $48 per square foot before demo. See the deck cost guide.
Can you reuse my old deck frame?
Only if it's solid, level and spaced tightly enough for the new boards. We check every joist and post first. Old frames built at 16 or 24 inches usually need new joists for composite.
Do I need a permit to replace a deck?
Usually yes, especially if we're replacing structure or the deck is attached or raised. We pull it for you.