The Well
Planned Home
Menu

Deck Quote Comparison: Footings, Framing, Boards & Railing

Compare a surface replacement with a complete deck build without mixing their scopes.

Put your quotes side by side

A price difference helps only after the work matches.

Quote A
Costs outside the quote & your reserve

This is money you set aside. It is not a contractor charge or a recommended percentage.

Enter a quoted price

Quote B
Costs outside the quote & your reserve

This is money you set aside. It is not a contractor charge or a recommended percentage.

Enter a quoted price

Quote C (optional)
Costs outside the quote & your reserve

This is money you set aside. It is not a contractor charge or a recommended percentage.

Enter a quoted price

Two quotes or three; the third is optional. Type the price of each written quote, then mark what each one includes. A cheaper quote often leaves work out: mark that work Extra with its price and the totals add it back, so you compare the same job.

Before you sign: six checks
  • Get three written quotes, and do not pick the lowest on price alone.
  • Hire a licensed, insured contractor. Your state or local building department says which licence the work needs; ask for current insurance certificates.
  • Get a written contract with the contractor’s name, address and licence number, start and finish dates, the payment schedule and who gets the permits.
  • Do not pay it all up front: tie payments to finished stages, never pay in cash or by wire transfer, and make the last payment when the work is done. Some states limit the down payment.
  • If you sign at home, you have three business days to cancel, and the contract should say so in writing.
  • Be wary of a contractor who knocks on your door, pushes you to decide now, or asks you to get the permits yourself.

From the Federal Trade Commission’s advice: How to avoid a home improvement scam.

Check what each quote includes

Leave anything unclear as “Ask.” Choose “Extra” to add a separately priced item to that quote’s budget. Do not also put it in the general left-out costs below.

Materials

Deck surface

Identify board material, dimensions, direction, borders and fastening system.

Labor

Removal

State whether only boards or the entire existing deck comes out and who disposes of it.

Footings and structure

List footings, posts, beams, joists, ledger, lateral support and connections from the design.

Stairs and railing

Include landings, handrails, guards, gates and their attachment details.

Finish and access

Record finish coatings, access constraints, protection and site restoration.

Protection, permits and terms

Design and permits

Record the accepted plan, survey or site needs, inspections and who handles them.

Nothing is sent to a contractor. Saving keeps these entries in this browser; downloading makes a text file.

Before asking for a price

Write “surface only” or “full structure” beside each quote. Keep the plan, elevation, stairs and railing with it.

Reading the totals

Check that both quotes price the same job, new boards only or a complete deck with framing, footings, stairs and railing, in the same board material.

The budget adds the quoted price, separately priced Extra items, other costs left out and any tax not already included. Your chosen reserve is added to that subtotal. Treat every “Ask” row as work that is not yet confirmed as included. Get the answer in writing before comparing totals.

My plans

Plans saved in this browser. Open a tool, then choose its load option to restore your measurements.

Choose a calculator