The attached outdoor structures, decks and balconies. The detail that matters most is how they connect to the house (the ledger board) and whether they were built to code and permitted. Most deck failures are attachment failures, not broken boards.
$45 to $65 per sq ft to rebuild (mid-size deck $8,600 to $12,500); guard/railing $25 to $75+ per linear footAddress soonStructure
The quick answer
Most deck failures are attachment failures, not broken boards, so what matters is how a deck connects to the house and whether it was permitted. An unpermitted or wobbly deck can hide rot, undersized footings, and unsafe railings, and hints other work skipped permits. A rebuild runs about $45 to $65 per square foot, roughly $8,600 to $12,500 for a mid-size deck, more for larger. Ask for permits and have a contractor check the ledger and footings if safety's in doubt.
You are reading the deck & balcony safety page. Type the year the house was built and I will tell you what else tends to be true at that age, what it costs, and what to ask. One number, ten seconds.
Free. No account. Educational and impartial, not a home inspection.
Why it matters
A deck pulling away from the house can collapse, most dangerously when it's full of people, which is a real safety and liability risk. Unpermitted or DIY decks are common and can hide rot, undersized footings, missing flashing, and unsafe railings. A questionable deck is also a clue that other work in the home may have been done without permits.
How to spot it
Look for a deck bolted (not just nailed) to the house with flashing above the ledger, footings below the frost line, solid railings about a metre high with gaps a small child can't slip through, and boards that aren't soft or rotting. Movement, rust stains at connections, or a wobbly railing are red flags. Ask whether a permit was pulled.
What it costs
Rebuilding runs about $45 to $65 per square foot, roughly $8,600 to $12,500 for a mid-size deck, more for larger or premium materials.
What to do
Flag an older, wobbly, or clearly unpermitted deck for a closer look and ask for permits. Where safety is in doubt, have a contractor or structural engineer assess the ledger and footings before you rely on it.
Education and triage, not a home inspection. Casaroo flags an aging or questionable deck from photos and prompts the permit question, a contractor or inspector confirms it's sound. We flag; we don't inspect.
Common questions
How do I find out whether the deck was permitted?
Ask the seller directly, and have your lawyer pull the municipal property file if the answer is vague. An unpermitted deck is also a signal worth following, because the same owner may have skipped permits elsewhere in the house.
Does a home inspection cover the deck?
Generally yes for what is visible, but the two things that fail most often, the ledger connection to the house and the footings below frost line, are partly hidden. Say out loud that you want them looked at.
Is a wobbly railing a small fix?
The railing usually is. What it can point to is not: movement at the railing is sometimes the first visible sign that the frame or the ledger is loose. A rebuild runs $8,600 to $12,500 for a mid-size deck, so it is worth finding out which one you have.
Can I use the deck while I decide?
If a contractor or inspector has raised a safety concern about the ledger or footings, keep people and weight off it until it has been looked at. Deck failures happen when the deck is full.
Deck and railing requirements are set by your local building code. Confirm with a contractor or your municipal building department.
Last reviewed 2026-07-02.
This guide is general education, not a home inspection and not advice for your specific property. Always
consult the appropriate licensed professional, and get a licensed home inspection before you remove conditions
or buy. Cost ranges are 2026 estimates that vary by region, size, and access; confirm specifics with a
qualified professional.