Is $49,000 to remediate deck issues and prepare for hot tub a fair price?
Project Details
I had a brand-new deck built by contractors, designed with a hot tub in mind. Before placing the tub, I paid $300 for a structural engineer to inspect it. I expected a capacity rating in psf; instead, I was told my deck wouldn’t safely support a hot tub and that I basically need a new deck, along with a sales quote from his company. This felt off, as I never asked for a bid, just an inspection and a load rating. The deck feels rock solid compared to the old one, and the only thing reused from the old deck is the ledger/joist that ties into the house. Under the planned tub location, there are 8 posts total, with 4 directly under the tub bay. I'm fine not putting the tub on the deck if it’s truly unsafe, but I don’t want to be upsold after paying for an inspection. I plan to get a second opinion from an engineer who doesn’t offer construction services, as the company was recommended by a friend who works at a hot tub store, and I suspect a conflict of interest. I don't care if the hot tub is on the deck or not, I just want it done right.
Quote Details
This quote outlines the necessary work to address structural deficiencies identified during a structural engineer's inspection of a newly built deck, which was intended to support a hot tub. The engineer concluded the deck would not safely support a hot tub and requires significant remediation. The proposed work includes: - Replace ledger and attachment: Approximately 5 feet of 2x8 ledger is undersized and attached to brick veneer, which is deemed unacceptable. This section was added to extend the deck, with the remaining ~20 feet tied into the house via the original joist from the old deck. - Add two new beams and six 6x6 posts: Required for hot tub support. Existing beams are undersized, plywood/2x framing used as fillers are prone to rot, some posts appear encased in concrete instead of on standoff brackets, and footer sizes for hot-tub loads cannot be verified. - Replace stairs: Composite treads over PT wood are expected to rot soon, and risers are approximately 9.5 inches, exceeding the 7.75-inch code maximum. - Remove and reinstall decking and railings to add proper joists: Joist splices are not over a beam/post and require reworking. - Install new hurricane ties and correct fasteners.
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More Details
Category
Decking
Price
$49,000
Quote Date
October 1, 2025
Material
Composite
Railing included?
No
Stairs included?
No
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