Who Can I Get to Refinish My Deck to Look as Good as New?

You’re prepping for the first cookout of the season, but as you’re dusting away dead leaves from last winter, you realize your deck is looking a little worse for wear. In hopes of impressing your guests and making them feel more at home, you start to ask yourself, “Who can I get to refinish my deck?” Before you bribe friends and neighbors with pizza and frosty beverages to help with deck refinishing, consider the benefits of hiring the following pros for this home improvement project.

Benefits of Hiring a Deck Refinishing Service to Refinish a Deck

When it comes to hiring the right pro to refinish a deck, it’s all in a name, and a local deck refinishing service is about as specialized as you’ll find for this job. There are many benefits to trusting these pros with your deck project. 

First, do you know what type of stain, paint, or sealant works best for your deck material? You can take the time to research whether your wood deck will benefit more from an oil-based paint versus acrylic, or you can just leave it to the pros. A deck refinishing service can take a look at your deck and recommend the best refinishing products based on the material, deck traffic, and other key factors you may not consider when shopping for paints or stains yourself.

Another huge benefit to hiring a team with experience in deck refinishing is that they can inspect the deck and make any necessary repairs before they start adding primer or stain. Not every type of contractor may offer repair services, and you may not know what signs of deck problems to look for before painting if you plan to DIY.

It seems easy enough to stain or paint a deck, but it’s just as easy to leave streaks or bare patches that keep your deck from looking its best. Pros have the right tools and experience to prep the deck surface, apply primer smoothly, and stain or paint in seamless layers. They also know the right amount of time to let each layer dry before starting the next.

Can I DIY Deck Refinishing?

Handy homeowners may find the process of refinishing a deck rewarding, as the job takes a long weekend full of deep cleaning, sanding, and carefully applying paint or stain to their beloved decks. If you have the time, patience, and some tools lying around (or the ability to rent tools like a pressure washer), this may be a project worth doing yourself.

But there are a few things to keep in mind. First, hiring a deck refinishing pro is the best way to achieve a smooth refinishing job. If you don’t have the time to sand every nook and cranny or you don’t wait for each coat to fully dry, your deck won’t look quite as good as it would have if a pro refinished it.

If you haven’t refinished your deck in several years or it has major signs of wear, like rotting or broken boards, leave this job to the pros. Pros can make the proper repairs so that your deck is safe and sturdy before they refinish it.

Can I Hire a Handyperson for Deck Refinishing?

There are many services a handyperson can perform, including painting and carpentry. If you want to hire a deck building contractor, make sure to ask about their previous history with these types of projects. Not every handyperson will have the experience or skills best suited to deck refinishing.

Can I Hire a Painter for Deck Refinishing?

While a painter can apply smooth coats to drywall in your living room or weather-resistant paint to your siding, they may not be the best person to hire for deck refinishing. Because it can cost more time and effort to hire separate services for pressure washing, deck sanding, painting, and finishing (or tackling some of these tasks yourself), it’s more efficient and time-saving to have one deck refinishing team handle the entire checklist.

How Much Does It Cost to Refinish a Deck?

Refinishing a deck costs an average of $980, with labor and supply prices ranging from $3 to $7 per square foot. The total cost depends on factors such as deck size, condition, and location. Smaller decks may cost as little as $500 to refinish, while larger or older decks can exceed $4,600, especially if repairs are needed. 

The total cost will depend on the entire scope of the project. For example, if you want to hire a professional to seal your deck after they refinish it, the cost will rise. Deck sealing costs range from $550 to $1,380.

How Does a Deck Refinishing Service Refinish a Deck?

First, a deck refinishing team will perform a deck inspection to check for any loose or broken boards, signs of rot, and other issues. If they notice anything of concern, the pros can make repairs before moving on to the refinishing process.

Then, you or the deck refinishing team will need to remove any furniture, plants, or other objects from the deck. If you haven’t already pressure-washed the deck or hired a handyperson to do so, some deck refinishing services also offer pressure washing. They’ll need to thoroughly clean the deck with a pressure washer to ensure a smooth application of paint or stain and sealant.

The deck refinishing service pros will strap on their safety gear and sand down the entire deck, which creates the smoothest finish possible. Then, they can add primer and paint or stain with paint brushes and roller brushes. Between each coat, they’ll leave between four and 48 hours of drying time, depending on the type of paint or sealant, the deck material, and the weather conditions.

Finally, the pros will apply a sealant to preserve the color of the stain or paint and protect the deck from moisture and UV rays that can cause fading. With all of these steps complete and the sealant fully dry, you can replace your furniture and finish planning your backyard barbecue with confidence.

DIY Deck Refinishing vs. Hiring a Pro

Refinishing a deck yourself can save you hundreds in labor fees, as you’ll only have to pay $200 to $500 for materials like stain, sealant, sandpaper, and a pressure washer rental. However, this is a fairly labor-intensive home DIY, especially if your deck is large or in poor condition. 

Hiring a professional deck refinishing company near you costs more, ranging from $500 to $4,600, but ensures expert results with less hassle. Pros have the experience to handle repairs, choose the best materials, and apply finishes efficiently. They also have specialized equipment, which can lead to a more durable and even finish.

If your deck is in good shape and you’re comfortable with DIY projects, refinishing it yourself can be a cost-effective option. However, if your deck needs extensive repairs or you want a flawless, long-lasting finish, hiring a professional may be the better investment in the long run.