Replace two or three soft deck boards
About three hours, plus the lumber.
Service
Porches and steps you can trust
A wet mountain winter finds every soft spot. I find them before you do, and I fix what I can reach safely.
I replace rotted deck boards and stair treads, re-fasten loose railings and posts, and tighten wobbly steps. I look under the porch before I promise anything, because the visible board is rarely the whole story.
What's included
Replace soft or split porch boards and stair treads
Re-fasten loose rails, balusters and posts
Check the framing under a step before I fix the top
Seal and prime the new wood
Haul away the old lumber
What changes the time
Why one job takes an hour and another takes three
What's under the board
If the joist is rotten, a new board won't hold. I probe the framing first and tell you what I find.
Height off the ground
I stay within what I can do safely from the ground and a short ladder. A second-story porch is a contractor's job.
Materials
Treated lumber for the wet parts, and hardware rated for it. I buy it at cost and show you the receipt.
Sample jobs
Jobs like these, and how long they usually take
Time
Re-fasten a loose railing section
About two hours.
Replace a stair tread
About two hours, plus the lumber.
Repair a wobbly step and seal the new wood
About four hours, plus materials.
I confirm the hours from your photo before I book.
Where I stop
What I won't do on this kind of job
- Rebuild a deck, a porch roof or a stair that needs a permit
- Work above one story or off a roof
- Fix a step where the framing or footing has failed
Questions
Porch and steps: what people ask
Is it safe to use the step while I wait?
If the tread flexes or the rail moves, don't use it. Text me a photo and I'll tell you how soon I can come.
Do you build new decks?
No. A new deck is a permit job and a crew job. I repair existing boards, rails and steps.
Will you replace the whole porch floor?
Up to a few boards, yes. A whole floor depends on the framing and the size, and I'll tell you honestly if it belongs with a contractor.
Send me a photo of the job
I'll answer with the hours I expect and whether I'm the right person for it.