The price of hiring a professional can vary greatly, depending on the size and shape of your deck, as well as the materials used. Basic maintenance — cleaning, wood repair and staining or sealing — ranges from $400 to more than $1,000.
• If you decide to hire deck help, get several bids, check references and confirm that the company is appropriately licensed and insured. In addition, make sure the company has a plan for covering and protecting plants and other areas from cleaners or stains.
And when all is done, celebrate with some well-deserved downtime on your now-delightful deck.
Angie Hicks is the founder of Angie’s List, a resource for local consumer reviews on everything from home repair to health care.
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