What's included
- Demolition and haul-off of the decking, framing, railings and old footings, with the house wall exposed so the band joist the old ledger was hiding can be inspected.
- A repair plan for the house side: rot found in the band joist or sheathing behind the old ledger is photographed and priced before new framing covers it up.
- New footings dug below 24 inches. Old pier blocks and shallow pours are removed rather than reused, because they set the lifespan of everything above them.
- A new ledger bolted or structurally screwed to the band joist with metal flashing lapped behind the weather barrier — or a free-standing beam line where the wall can't take a ledger, such as stone or brick veneer.
- Railings, guards and stairs rebuilt to the current Idaho Residential Code instead of copying the old dimensions.
- Layout changes while everything is open: a wider stair, a lower second level, a landing at a new door, or framing sized now for a cover later.
- Permit drawings with the site plan and ledger detail Boise's submittal checklist asks for; Eagle's residential checklist calls for the same deck location, construction and ledger details.
Materials we use
| Category | Options |
|---|---|
| Replacement decking | Capped composite (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon) · PVC / cellular (TimberTech AZEK) · Western red cedar · Pressure-treated pine |
| New structure | Pressure-treated framing with taped joist tops · Concrete footings below 24 inches with standoff post bases · Through-bolts or structural ledger screws · Lateral load connectors where the design calls for them |
| House connection | Metal ledger flashing lapped behind the weather-resistive barrier · Self-adhered membrane over the band joist · Free-standing beam and posts instead of a ledger |
| Railings | Powder-coated aluminum · Composite railing systems matched to the new decking · Stainless cable infill for decks facing a view |
How the work goes
Inspect before quoting
We probe the ledger, joist ends, beam bearing and post bases with an awl, check footing depth where it can be seen, and measure height above grade. That tells us whether the job is a full replacement or a resurfacing, and we'll say which one the deck actually needs.
Design the new deck
The new layout can follow the old footprint or change it. We draw the frame, footings and ledger connection, choose decking and railing with you, and write a line-item scope that keeps demolition, house-wall repair and new construction as separate lines.
Permit and HOA approvals
Replacements more than 12 inches above grade in Boise or Nampa go through plan review. In Meridian, an attached deck needs a permit regardless of size. HOA committees often want to see new colors and materials even when the footprint doesn't change, so that packet goes in at the same time.
Tear-out and structure
Demolition typically takes a day or two. The wall is inspected, repaired where needed and flashed; footings are dug and poured below the frost line; then posts, beams, ledger and joists go up. Where a permit applies, the frame stays open until it has been inspected.
Decking, rails and close-out
Boards, stairs, guards and fascia go on. We clean up the yard, walk the new deck with you, and leave a record of the products installed — line, color, fasteners, railing system — along with care instructions.
Treasure Valley conditions we design for
- Permit needed above
- 12 in
- Frost depth
- 24 in
- Ground snow load
- 20 psf
- Design wind
- 90 mph
- Nights ≤ 32°F / yr
- 108
- Annual precip
- 11.51 in
Sources: City of Boise — Residential Construction brochure; City of Boise — current codes & design criteria; NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Boise Air Terminal (USW00024131)
Red flags to watch for in any quote
- A replacement quote that keeps the old footings sight unseen. Footings under older decks are often shallow or just blocks set on grade, and they decide how long the new deck stays level.
- No plan for what's behind the old ledger. If nobody mentions checking the band joist, rot there gets sealed in under brand-new framing.
- A ledger bolted through stone or brick veneer. Idaho's code doesn't allow a deck ledger supported on masonry veneer; those decks need their own beam and posts.
- A bid that skips the permit on a deck clearly more than a foot off the ground. An unpermitted rebuild can surface later at resale or during an insurance claim.
- Guards rebuilt at the old height or baluster spacing "because that's what was there." Grandfathering ends when the deck is torn down; the new one is judged against today's code.
- No plan for what's buried around the old deck. New footing holes go where sprinkler lines, low-voltage wiring and utilities often run, so locates (call 811) and a sprinkler map belong in the plan before anyone digs.
Budgeting? Our replacement cost guide breaks down published Treasure Valley price ranges.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I repair or replace my deck?
- Repair when the damage is isolated: a few boards, one stair stringer, a single post. Replace when rot reaches the ledger, several joists or the beams, when footings have heaved, or when the frame was never properly attached or flashed. A probe test at the ledger and joist ends usually settles it. Age alone doesn't decide it: a 25-year-old deck with a sound, flashed frame may only need new boards. Our deck repair-or-replace guide has the full checklist.
- Do I need a permit to replace a deck in Boise?
- If the deck is more than 12 inches above grade, plan on one. Boise's permit list includes building any deck over 12 inches high, and a full rebuild is construction rather than maintenance. The submittal needs a site plan with distances to property lines and the ledger connection detail. Homeowners may pull the permit for their own primary residence, but the drawings still have to show how the deck is built. Our Boise deck permit guide covers each step.
- How much does it cost to replace a deck?
- Replacement adds demolition, haul-off and any repair to the house wall behind the ledger on top of what a new deck costs, and that last part depends on what's found once the old ledger comes off. Removing a second-story deck also costs more than a low one, because it comes apart in the air. The deck replacement cost guide collects published ranges with their sources, and the deck cost calculator gives a starting range for the new deck itself.
- Can you reuse my existing deck footings?
- Sometimes, but rarely on older decks. Footings have to bear below the 24-inch frost line and be sized for the new post loads, and many older decks sit on shallow pours or precast blocks. If an existing footing is deep, sound and in the right spot for the new beam line, we document it and keep it. Otherwise new footings cost less than fixing heave later.
- How long does a deck replacement take?
- The physical work runs from several days for a simple low deck to a few weeks for a large, high or multi-level deck with stairs. Before that, allow time for design, permit review and HOA approval. A deck torn out in early spring can be finished for summer if the approvals start in late winter and the decking is ordered once plans are approved.
- Can the new deck be bigger or a different shape than the old one?
- Yes, and replacement is the cheapest moment to change it. A larger footprint still has to respect setbacks — in Boise, Planning confirms them at 208-608-7100 — and any HOA limits on size and placement. In Meridian, a detached deck that grows past 200 square feet or 30 inches in height loses its permit exemption. We draw options before demolition so the decision is made on paper, not mid-project.
- Can I switch from wood to composite when I replace?
- Yes, and replacement is the easiest time to do it, because the new frame is built at the joist spacing the composite line requires. Composite costs more up front and ends the staining cycle. The composite decks service explains board selection for sun and heat, and our composite vs. wood comparison covers the trade-offs.
- What if there's rot in the house behind the old ledger?
- We stop, show you, and price the repair before anything covers it. Usually that means replacing the damaged section of band joist or sheathing, then installing new flashing that laps behind the weather barrier so water runs out instead of in. It is the most common hidden cost in a replacement and the main reason to inspect before quoting.
Sources
- City of Boise — Residential construction permit guide (deck, patio cover, pergola rules)
- City of Boise — #402 New Residential Submittal Checklist (July 2024)
- City of Boise — 301 Current Codes and design criteria (2018 IRC; snow, wind, frost depth)
- City of Nampa — Residential permit FAQ (decks more than 12 in high)
- City of Meridian — Residential detached accessory structures handout
- City of Eagle — Residential building permit submittal requirements
- Idaho Residential Code (2020 Edition, 2018 IRC basis) — Chapter 5: decks R507 (UpCodes)
- American Wood Council — DCA 6 Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide
Last reviewed .