chippyo

Is $720 to replace deck boards, stain deck, and repair pool screen frame a fair price?

Project Details

I hired a general contractor to replace a few boards on my wood deck, stain it, and fix a loose aluminum frame on my pool screen. The contractor completed the deck and frame repair quickly, but it started raining about an hour after he began staining the deck. He said he'd return for "touchups" the next day. After the second day, he invoiced me for the work, including "stain coat x1", and told me to let the deck dry for 48 hours. Now, the deck looks uneven and patchy, with some cracks between planks not fully stained. When I texted him photos, he claimed it was "absorbed imperfections" and that I only paid for one coat. I'm frustrated because $720 feels like a lot for a half-done job, and I didn't realize the quote for staining would only include one coat. He offered to come back for an additional $350 to apply a second coat. I'm unsure if he's being honest, if one coat should look this bad, or if the rain affected it. I need advice on how to handle this situation and what a good stain job should entail.

Quote Details

Initial work performed by the general contractor. The job was invoiced as "deck repair, frame repair, and stain coat x1". The staining was interrupted by rain shortly after application. The homeowner reports the final result is uneven and patchy, with some areas not fully covered. - Deck Repair: Replacement of a few boards on the wood deck. - Deck Staining: Application of one coat of stain to the wood deck. - Pool Screen Frame Repair: Fixing a loose aluminum frame on the pool screen, which was dangling, by securing it with screws.

Thank you for your feedback!

You say...

?
How would you rate this quote?
TooCheap
GoodDeal
FairPrice
BitPricey
Ripoff

Vote Distribution

Too Cheap0 votes
Good Deal0 votes
Fair Price0 votes
Bit Pricey1 votes
Ripoff0 votes

These ratings are not endorsed by Quote Critic. They are submitted by other Quote Critic users like you.

More Details

Category

Decking

Price

$720

Quote Date

June 11, 2025

Comments

No comments yet

Sign in to share your thoughts and ask questions.

Similar Quotes

restain and replace a deck board
Decking
$2,700
Oct 14, 2025

Restain and replace a deck board

The quote is for restaining a 16x16 deck and replacing one board. The work includes: - Replacement of a single deck board - Cleaning the deck - Washing the deck - Staining the deck - Performing touch-ups

1 rating
clean and re-stain a small/medium outdoor deck
Decking
$3,900
Oct 2, 2025

Clean and re-stain a small/medium outdoor deck

This quote is from a local, well-reviewed contractor. The job is estimated to take 2 to 3 days with a two-man crew supervised by the contractor. The contractor will take care of everything. - Power wash the deck - Sand the deck - Brighten the wood - Apply one coat of stain - Replace loose finishing nails on the wind wall with appropriate screws

1 rating
Decking
$7,500
Jul 12, 2025

Repair and re-deck a 10x24 deck

This quote is for repairing a deck, addressing cosmetic and minor structural issues. The work includes: - Replace a 10' 6x6 post - Replace 4-5 joists - Re-deck the entire 10x24 deck with composite boards

1 rating