Reboarding runs $15–30/sq ft against $25–90/sq ft for a full rebuild — as long as the frame underneath is sound.
Typical installed prices for Pennsylvania & New Jersey in 2026 for the restoration work VM Power Decks quotes: board replacement, reboarding, railings and framing repair. We do not wash, seal or stain decks.
| Service | Typical Cost | How Long It Lasts | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partial board replacement | $8–15 / sq ft | Matches deck | Swaps out the rotted or cracked boards only. |
| Full reboard (frame kept) | $15–30 / sq ft | 25–30 years or 30+ years (composite) | New decking over the existing frame. Composite ends refinishing for good. |
| Railing replacement | $55–225 / linear ft | 20–30 years | Often the first thing to fail code. Wood Railing at the low end, Glass Panels at the top. |
| Structural / framing repair | $500–$3,000 | 20+ years | Ledger, joists, posts or footings. Priced per job after inspection. |
Partial reboard swaps the damaged boards. Full reboard replaces the whole surface over the existing frame. Replace is a full rebuild from the footings up.
| Deck Size | Partial Reboard | Full Reboard | Full Replace |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $960–$1,800 | $1,800–$3,600 | $3,000–$10,800 |
| 12x16 (192 sq ft) | $1,536–$2,880 | $2,880–$5,760 | $4,800–$17,280 |
| 14x20 (280 sq ft) | $2,240–$4,200 | $4,200–$8,400 | $7,000–$25,200 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $2,560–$4,800 | $4,800–$9,600 | $8,000–$28,800 |
| 20x24 (480 sq ft) | $3,840–$7,200 | $7,200–$14,400 | $12,000–$43,200 |
Full replacement figures come from our deck cost guide. Railings, stairs and structural repairs are quoted separately.
The deciding factor is almost never the boards — it is the frame. Decking and railings are consumable; posts, joists and footings are the deck. If the structure is sound, restoring is the better value. If it is not, no amount of new surface material fixes it.
If repair quotes come to more than half the cost of a new deck, replacing is usually the better spend. A rebuild resets the life of the whole structure, comes with a fresh warranty, and lets you correct size, height and layout at the same time. Below that threshold, restoration wins on value nearly every time.
The Lehigh Valley swings across freezing dozens of times each winter. Water gets into checked wood, freezes, and levers the fibres apart. It is the single biggest reason boards cup and split here.
Older decks were often bolted to the house without proper flashing. Water tracks behind the ledger and rots it from the back, where nobody sees it. This is the first thing worth inspecting on any deck over 15 years old.
Warm, damp months feed mildew and algae in shaded areas and on north faces. It is cosmetic at first, but it holds moisture against the wood and accelerates everything else.
In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, replacing damaged boards runs $8–15 per square foot, and replacing all the decking over the existing frame runs $15–30 per square foot. Reboarding a 300 sq ft deck typically lands between $4,500 and $9,000. Framing repair is priced per job after inspection, from $500–$3,000. We do not wash, seal or stain decks.
Restoration is usually cheaper than replacement when the frame, posts and footings are sound: reboarding runs $15–30 per square foot against $25–90 per square foot for a new deck. The common rule of thumb is that if repairs would cost more than half the price of a new deck, replacement is the better value because you reset the clock on the entire structure.
Yes, provided the framing passes inspection. Surface boards and railings wear out far faster than pressure-treated framing, so replacing just the decking and rails over a sound frame is common. The frame must be checked for rot at the ledger board, post bases and joist ends before any reboarding.
Replacing the boards with composite over a sound frame gives you 25–30 years or 30+ years, depending on the line, with no refinishing at all. A wood surface that is cleaned and resealed instead needs redoing every 2–3 years in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey climate.
Cosmetic work such as cleaning, sanding, staining and like-for-like board replacement generally does not require a permit. Structural work does — replacing joists, posts, footings or the ledger board, or changing the deck's size, height or layout. Requirements vary by township, so confirm with your local code office before work starts.
We inspect the frame, ledger and footings before quoting anything — and we will tell you when a rebuild is the better spend. Free, no obligation.