Burlington decks come in two kinds. South of the QEW, in Aldershot, Roseland and Shoreacres, they are older cedar and pressure-treated decks with rusted fasteners and soft stairs. Further north, through Headon Forest, Millcroft, Orchard and Alton, they are builder decks from the 1990s and 2000s, often raised off a walkout, with ledgers and posts that are now showing their age. Here is what repairs cost and when the City needs to be involved.
What deck repairs cost in Burlington
| Repair | Typical 2026 price |
|---|---|
| Re-fasten loose or popped boards, 200 sq ft deck | $400 - $900 |
| Replace 8 to 12 pressure-treated boards | $300 - $700 |
| Replace 8 to 12 cedar boards | $600 - $1,400 |
| Re-anchor a loose railing post | $150 - $350 per post |
| Rebuild a short 3-step stair | $600 - $1,200 |
| Flash and re-bolt the ledger at the house | $900 - $2,400 |
| Replace a rotted rim joist | $1,500 - $4,000 |
| Replace a post and footing | $1,200 - $3,500 per post |
| Resurface on a sound frame, pressure-treated | $12 - $22 per sq ft |
The prices are for the finished job: materials, fasteners, hauling away old wood and cleanup. Most crews charge a service minimum of $350 to $500. Raised walkout decks more than about 1.2 m up need shoring and more setup, so they sit at the top of each range, and so do decks reached only through a narrow side gate.
Burlington decks and what wears them out
Near the lake, it is fasteners. Plated nails and screws rust out in the damp air, boards lift, and railings loosen at the posts. We replace them with coated deck screws and through-bolted railing posts. On the clay below the escarpment, it is footings: posts on shallow pads move with frost, a corner drops and the boards start to cup. On raised builder decks, it is the ledger, which was often fastened with nails and little or no flashing. Water behind it rots the rim joist of the house, and that is the most expensive repair on the list.
Quick checks you can do: push a screwdriver into the joists near the house, look for flashing over the ledger, make sure each post stands on concrete, and lean on the railing. A railing that moves is the first thing to fix.
Repair, resurface or replace
If the frame is sound and fewer than a quarter of the boards are bad, repair. If the frame is sound but most boards are done, resurface: $12 to $22 per sq ft in pressure-treated, $30 to $55 in composite on joists 16 inches apart or closer. If the joists are rotting in more than one place or the footings are shallow, replace. On a low deck that is failing, consider a stone or interlock patio instead. The City says an uncovered patio built on grade is landscaping and needs no permit. Our Burlington deck building and Burlington patio pages have full prices.
When Burlington needs a permit
The City's decks, porches and patios page says you need a building permit before building or replacing a deck if it is:
- connected to the house or another structure,
- detached and more than 10 m2 (108 sq ft),
- more than 600 mm (2 ft) above grade, or
- covered or roofed.
Swapping boards, re-staining and tightening railings are maintenance. Replacing the deck, or its structure, on one of those decks is permit work. Before applying, you need a Pre-Building Approval, the City's confirmation that the deck meets zoning. Applications are electronic only, and the City aims to finish the plan review within 10 business days of a complete application. A homeowner can draw their own plans, but they have to show the deck meets the Ontario Building Code. Lots inside Conservation Halton or Niagara Escarpment Commission areas may need their approval first. We prepare the drawings and handle the application on rebuilds, and book a free locate through Ontario Dig Authority before any footing work.
Where we repair decks in Burlington
Aldershot, the lakeshore, Roseland, Shoreacres, downtown, Tyandaga, Brant Hills, Headon Forest, Millcroft, Orchard, Alton, Kilbride and Mt Nemo.
Frequently asked questions
How much does deck repair cost in Burlington?
Most repairs cost $400 to $3,500 in 2026. A short stair is $600 to $1,200, a rim joist $1,500 to $4,000 and a post and footing $1,200 to $3,500.
Do I need a permit to replace my deck in Burlington?
Yes, if the deck is attached to the house, detached and over 10 m2, more than 600 mm above grade, or covered. You need a Pre-Building Approval first.
Do I need a permit to repair deck boards?
No. Replacing boards, re-staining and tightening railings are maintenance. Structural replacement on a deck that needs a permit is different, so check with the Building Department.
How long does a Burlington deck permit take?
The City aims to complete the plan review within 10 business days of a complete application, after Pre-Building Approval.
Do I need a permit for a patio instead of a deck?
No. The City treats an uncovered patio built on grade as landscaping, so no building permit is needed.
Should I resurface or replace my deck?
Resurface if the joists, ledger and footings are sound. Replace when the joists are rotting in several places or the footings are shallow.