Key takeaways
Garden State Decks replaces and resurfaces decks across South Jersey, and we inspect the frame before recommending either one. Many of the pressure-treated decks behind the 1950s to 1970s ranches and capes of Deptford and West Deptford, and behind the development homes of Washington Township and Monroe Township, have boards that are finished on a frame that may not be. You get the answer in writing, with pricing, before any work begins.
A deck can be resurfaced when its frame is sound and has to be replaced when it is not, so the decision comes down to what an inspection finds under the boards. Resurfacing means removing the old decking and railings and installing new ones on the existing structure. Replacement means demolition and a new deck built from the footings up.
| What the inspection finds | Resurface | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| Boards cracked, splintered or cupped, frame solid | Yes | Not needed |
| Joists spaced 24 inches apart, otherwise sound | Yes, with joists added to reach 16 inches | Compare the cost |
| A few soft joists or one bad post | Yes, with those members replaced | Not needed |
| Rusted or loose hangers and fasteners throughout | Only with all hardware replaced | Often the better value |
| Rot in the ledger, or the ledger pulling away from the house | No | Yes |
| Rot across many joists, beams or posts | No | Yes |
| You want a bigger or differently shaped deck | No | Yes, or a deck expansion |
The manufacturers draw the same line. Trex limits resurfacing to decks where the foundation and framing system are sound, and TimberTech names pervasive rot, rusted hardware and a ledger pulling away from the home as signs that the whole deck should be replaced.
The frame inspection covers the six places an older deck fails, starting with the connection to the house. The International Code Council reports that deck collapses most often result from failure of the ledger connection, so that is where we look first.
When a frame is reused, the joist tops and the ledger get butyl joist tape before the new boards go on, which is what TimberTech specifies for composite over an existing substructure. Smaller problems found along the way are handled by our deck repair crew, and our article on whether a deck is worth repairing covers the lighter end of the scale.
Yes for a full replacement, and no for a like-for-like repair. The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs has stated that the construction or complete replacement of a deck requires a full permit. Replacing part of a deck with identical or closely similar materials in the same location counts as ordinary maintenance under N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7 and needs no permit.
The gray area: taking every wood board off and installing composite on the old frame. The rule says closely similar materials, and it is the local construction official who decides whether composite qualifies. We confirm it with your township so the permit question is settled before work is scheduled.
We file the zoning and construction permits and schedule the inspections on replacement jobs. The offices and published fees for 21 South Jersey towns are in our NJ deck permit guide.
Resurfacing costs less than replacement whenever the frame can be reused, because the structure is already in the ground. The figures below are national ranges published in 2026, shown so you can see how the parts of a quote stack up. They are not our pricing, which comes in writing after the frame inspection.
| Line item | Published national range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Deck resurfacing | $15 to $50 per sq ft | Angi, August 2026 |
| Demolition of an old deck | $5 to $15 per sq ft | Angi, August 2026 |
| Composite decking, materials only | $5 to $15 per sq ft | Decks.com, May 2026 |
| Installation labor | $20 to $35 per sq ft | Decks.com, May 2026 |
| Adding joists to tighten spacing | $1 to $3 per sq ft | Decks.com, May 2026 |
Sources: Angi deck repair and replacement cost guide and Decks.com resurfacing guidance. National figures, not a quote.
For new boards, our composite decking page compares the Trex, TimberTech and Fiberon lines we install, and how long a deck lasts on a South Jersey house explains what to expect from each material. Financing is available for larger replacements.
Yes, when the frame passes inspection. Trex limits resurfacing to decks where the foundation and framing are sound, and TimberTech allows new boards on an existing substructure only after it has been inspected. The old boards come off first. Composite is never laid on top of old decking.
Start with a screwdriver. Push it into the joists, the posts near the ground and the ledger board against the house. Wood that gives easily is rotting. Also look for rusted or loose hangers and screws, and for any gap opening between the ledger and the house. TimberTech lists pervasive rot, rusted hardware and a ledger pulling away from the home as signs a deck needs replacing instead of resurfacing.
Resurfacing costs less when the frame can be reused, because the footings, posts, beams and joists are already paid for. Angi's 2026 guide puts resurfacing at $15 to $50 per square foot and demolition of an old deck at $5 to $15 per square foot. The saving disappears if the frame needs added joists, new hardware and ledger work to carry composite boards safely.
A complete replacement needs a full construction permit, the same as a new deck. Replacing part of a deck with identical or closely similar materials in the same location is ordinary maintenance and needs none. Changing wood boards to composite on the old frame sits in between, and the local construction official decides. Our NJ deck permit guide has the rule and the township offices.
Once a year. That is the recommendation of NADRA, the North American Deck and Railing Association, which runs Deck Safety Month every May. An older pressure-treated deck is worth a second look after a hard South Jersey winter.
We replace and resurface decks in Deptford, West Deptford, Gloucester Township and Cherry Hill, and across the rest of South Jersey.
Free on-site estimate, written pricing before we start, and same-day response on requests submitted before 4 PM.
Get a free quote →Or call (856) 818-8114Free on-site estimate, written pricing before any work begins, and same-day response on requests submitted before 4 PM.