Deck Removal Pricing Guide

Disconnect utilities and clear the deck

Before any demo begins, confirm all electrical circuits feeding deck outlets, lighting, or hot tub connections are off at the breaker panel. Remove furniture, planters, grills, and any homeowner belongings from the deck surface. This takes 15–30 minutes but prevents damage claims and electrical hazards.

Deck removal costs $500–$2,500+ depending on size and complexity. Small decks under 150 sq ft run $500–$1,000. Medium decks from 150–300 sq ft cost $1,000–$1,800. Large decks over 300 sq ft start at $1,800 and go up from there. Concrete footing removal adds $50–$100 per footing. Composite or Trex decks cost 15–25% more due to heavier material and higher disposal fees. Most operators price at $5–$10 per square foot.

A standard 200 sq ft wood deck takes a 2-person crew 3–5 hours including teardown, loading, and site cleanup. Large decks over 300 sq ft or elevated decks above 4 feet take 5–8 hours with a 3–4 person crew. Add 1–2 hours if footing removal is in scope. Composite decks take roughly 20% longer than wood because the material is heavier to handle and harder to cut.

Most junk removal operators offer concrete footing removal as an add-on service at $50–$100 per footing. A typical deck has 6–9 footings buried 24–36 inches deep. The base option is cutting posts at ground level and leaving footings in place. Full footing removal requires a demo hammer or extensive digging, which adds 1–2 hours of labor. Always price footings as a separate line item.

Yes, composite and Trex decks follow the same demolition workflow as wood decks. The key differences are weight — composite boards weigh 30–40% more per linear foot — and disposal cost, since composite material does not qualify for C&D recycling rates at most facilities. Expect to pay MSW landfill rates of $40–$80/ton for composite debris. Price composite deck removal 15–25% higher than equivalent wood decks to cover the extra labor and disposal cost.

Standard commercial GL policies cover deck demolition in most cases, but 15–20% of junk removal GL policies contain a demolition exclusion endorsement that will result in denied claims. Call your insurance agent and specifically ask whether structural demolition is covered. If not, adding demolition coverage typically costs $200–$400 per year extra. Workers comp is required for employees, and elevated deck work over 4 feet carries higher premium rates under demolition classification codes.