The Difference Between Cheap And Quality Deck Work

When two quotes come in for deck work, they can differ by thousands of dollars. Homeowners stare at the numbers, and while they understand that there can be a vast difference in price, the justification isn’t so clear. Both contractors agree that the deck needs to be restored, both say they will do quality work to make it shine as new, and both sound good. The temptation of the cheaper contractor is hard to pass up, especially in times when finances are so tight. But the difference between budgeted deck work and quality restoration is not only a price. It shows in the work delivered, the products used, and it’s clear in how long the results last.

Homeowners should never only look for the cheaper number. Unfortunately, the difference fails to show until a year or so down the line when budgeted work starts to crack and peel and fade prematurely. Quality work might sting the wallet immediately but in the end provides value that budgeted alternatives won’t ever have.

What Makes Cheap Deck Work Cheaper?

The biggest difference that occurs between quality and cheap deck work happens before the stain goes on. Budgeted contractors see prep as a waste of time. They skip thorough assessments, detailed discussions, and steps that take time but show no visible results to a homeowner who may be present for the walkthrough of their work. Cheap contractors power wash (attempting to power wash, sometimes adding too much pressure) and use excessive pressure on the wood which damages wood fibers. They skip chemical cleaning and go straight for stain.

Quality restoration takes prep seriously because all subsequent steps are determined by proper prep. A thorough wash takes off years of dirt, mold, algae and failed coatings with proper chemicals and levels of pressure that clean but do not damage wood. Then sanding occurs as a separate step which smooths out edges and opens up the grain for coatings to adhere to and better penetrate, as opposed to sitting on top and failing in a couple of months.

Also, prep can take up to 60-70% of time from start to finish for quality deck restorations. Budget contractors might use 20-30% of their time. This explains part of the cost differential but also explains how much faster their work fails.

Material Quality Is More Significant Than Expected

It’s not uncommon for deck stain at the local hardware store to be between $40 per gallon and $200 per gallon. Cheap contractors take the cheap stuff to help maintain their costs; their business relies on low-priced material. Quality contractors spend their money on premium materials, materials that cost 3-4 times more for a reason and it’s necessary for homeowners to understand why.

Cheap stains have little pigment, few UV blockers, and poor binders that dissolve quickly under various weather conditions. Where they are good at putting products down, they look fine at first. But 12-18 months later the stain fades (inconsistent fading), peels (with damaged wood underneath), or wears through in high-traffic areas where people walk the most. Premium products have color pigments, UV features, better binders, and more resins which all help with adhesion to wood since they are premium quality. Sealers have features that help create bonds through additives that fight against weather damage.

Similarly, cleaners, strippers, and sealers used in restoration also have qualitative differences. Budget ones do partial jobs or they include harsh acids or alkalis that also destroy wood. Professional grade ones cost more but do better without harming wood. When homeowners need better than decent work that actually holds up when degradation sets in over time, professional Deck Restoration companies will budget for commercial grade products to make sure these are long-term defenses instead of temporary aesthetic improvements.

Coverage rate is another factor. Cheap products fall shorter in coverage rates with application so it’s easy for costs to add up when contractors blow through materials trying to save money. Premium products go on well enough with fewer coats where the true difference in price is not what it seems on the item tag.

Technique and Knowledge Elevate Quality Work

Putting down deck stain looks like an easy job, but it is completed based on effort and technique that seem minor but make a huge difference in final result. Budget contractors hire inexperienced workers who learn on the job. These workers apply too much product in one area and not enough in another which causes unevenness that looks splotchy when peeling occurs months down the line. They do not understand temperature and humidity levels so they find themselves working under conditions that do not help adhesion properties by blocking too much sunlight or permitting too much moisture.

Quality contractors hire skilled teams who know better. They can apply an even coat based on working conditions as they monitor how much product goes down and what areas need more attention than others. They know edgework better than anyone else which helps provide more emphasis on difficult areas because these take extra time and finesse beyond what anyone wants to commit.

The Edgework Argument Strengthens Quality Restoration

Edgework is an easy thing to pinpoint when it’s comparing work quality because budget contractors blow through railings, stairs, and tight corners. They might leave drips, miss areas, or have discoloration from thin coats versus quality coatings all around, especially in tough areas that take more time which budgeted contractors don’t want to commit to.

Quality deck restoration requires every square inch to look the same and provide effectively even coverage. Those areas where cheap contractors fail are where quality work covers gaps neglected by other companies who don’t value time spent getting every inch for aesthetics as well as protection.

The Structural Assessment No One Wants To Pay For

Quality deck restoration happens through a structural assessment first, a thorough check of boards that may need replacing, failing fasteners, rot along boards or any insect or structural damage which extends into joists and supports below. Quality crews assess weakness without cosmetic work applied because if boards or joists are rotted beyond repair or structurally compromised, it makes no sense applying a beautiful stain over everything that’s going to fall apart.

Budget contractors skip this assessment entirely or give it a 30-second once-over because they want to get paid for what’s visible, what applies to their bottom line. If structural issues are discovered below, it’s on the homeowner’s time after they “completed” a restoration.

This is where cheap work can be dangerous. A deck with hidden issues or decomposition isn’t just unattractive; it’s dangerous. Quality professionals take it upon themselves to find these problems so that injuries cannot occur and expensive emergency repairs are avoided.

How Long Results Last

This is where it’s clear what a cost difference occurs over time. Budget deck work, especially when prior complaints have been mentioned, initially shows problems within 12-24 months. Stain fades (really just washing away clear coats), peeling occurs in high wear spots, the top surface becomes rough. The deck needs another coat if not complete restoration.

Homeowners have spent money restoring decks again, and then again after realizing how much two budget restorations cost compared to one quality restoration.

Quality restoration lasts anything between 4-6 years based on conditions and general maintenance. It gets great reviews for care. Stain appears UV friendly still despite mild fading, and boards stay intact. When proper care is taken, as it should be with any wood product, one can apply thin layers after 4-6 years but have enough good foundation beneath to keep it looking decent longer than expected without needing another restoration.

Look at price per year. That’s why budgeted options don’t even reflect worth over time:

A $2,000 budget restoration lasts 18 months. It amounts to $1,333 a year.

A $4,000 quality restoration lasts 5 years. It amounts to $800 a year.

Therefore without any type of extra effort, it’s cheaper in the long run when quality deck restoration occurs.

What Does The Warranty Actually Cover?

Budget contractors offer no warranty, or vague verbal assurances that mean nothing when problems arise down the line. Quality contractors back their work up with written agreements which specify what they cover and for how long, and they’re able to back these up because they’re confident with their processes and materials.

The warranty matters less for what it does but more about what it entails. This contractor is confident his or her work will stand up over time because proper technique was applied.

Someone who uses a cheap process and cheap material cannot afford any warranty, which means the attempt has been there but attention has been paid elsewhere.

What’s The Smart Choice?

The difference comes down to quality, satisfaction, durability, longevity, and appearance versus cheap work providing temporary aesthetic improvement that fails drastically after a year or less.

Cheap work covers nothing but cosmetic solutions, it may look pretty up front, but the costs down the line won’t.