What comes out of a deck
- Decking boards: wood (often pressure-treated, cedar or redwood) or composite.
- Framing: joists, beams and ledger boards, usually pressure-treated lumber.
- Railings and stairs: wood, composite, metal or cable.
- Posts and footings: wooden posts set in concrete, or concrete piers.
- Hardware: nails, screws, joist hangers and brackets.
- Extras: lattice skirting, built-in benches, planters, pergolas.
Wood decking and framing are bulky but moderately light. Concrete footings are small but very heavy.
Which dumpster size?
- Small deck or landing (under about 150 square feet): a 10 yard container often works.
- Typical backyard deck (about 200–400 square feet): a 20 yard container is the common choice.
- Large, multi-level or elevated deck: 30 yards, or a 20 yard container swapped once.
- Concrete footings: keep them out of the large container if possible. Put them in a small separate container or a second haul. See concrete and dirt disposal.
Cutting boards and joists into shorter pieces and stacking them flat lets you fit far more into the container than tossing whole boards in.
What deck removal costs
If you hire the demolition out, Angi puts the cost of tearing out an old deck at about $5 to $15 per square foot – for example about $1,800 to $5,400 for a 360-square-foot deck. That usually includes labor and hauling. Doing it yourself means paying for the container (Angi’s national average for a dumpster rental is about $384, with most people paying $294 to $480), tools and your time.
| Item | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Professional deck demolition | about $5–$15 per sq ft | Angi |
| Example: 360 sq ft deck removal | about $1,800–$5,400 | Angi |
| Dumpster rental, national average | $384 (most pay $294–$480) | Angi |
Treated wood: what to know
Most deck framing is pressure-treated lumber. Decks built before about 2004 may use wood treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA); manufacturers voluntarily stopped making CCA-treated wood for most residential uses at the end of 2003. The EPA says:
- CCA-treated wood can usually be disposed of with ordinary trash (municipal solid waste), but state and local rules may differ – check with your local waste program.
- Do not burn CCA-treated or other preservative-treated wood at home; the smoke and ash can contain toxic chemicals.
- Do not reuse CCA-treated wood as mulch.
Wear gloves, a dust mask and eye protection when cutting treated lumber, and clean up sawdust rather than leaving it in the yard. Tell the dumpster provider the load includes treated wood.
Composite decking
Composite boards are heavier than wood boards of the same size and are not accepted in wood recycling streams. Some manufacturers have take-back or recycling programs for their own products – check with the brand if you know it. Otherwise composite goes in the regular container with other debris.
Step by step: tearing out a deck
- Check permits and utilities. Some cities require a permit for demolition, and digging out footings means calling 811 first.
- Clear the deck and remove anything attached to the house, such as lights or outlets (turn off power first).
- Remove railings and stairs.
- Pull or cut the decking boards. A circular saw set to board depth between joists is faster than prying every board.
- Remove the framing from the outside in, supporting heavy beams as you go. Never stand under framing you are cutting.
- Detach the ledger from the house carefully and inspect the wall behind it for rot or water damage.
- Remove or cut off posts and footings.
- Sweep for nails and screws with a magnet.
Elevated and second-story decks are dangerous to demolish. Consider hiring a professional for anything that isn’t close to the ground.
What you may find under an old deck
- Rot at the ledger: the board attached to the house is the most common failure point. If water got behind it, the rim joist and siding may need repair.
- Insects and animals: wasps, termites, carpenter ants, and animals nesting under the deck. Check before you start pulling boards.
- Buried debris: old decks sometimes hide construction leftovers or rocks that also need removal.
- Utility lines: dryer vents, outdoor outlets, gas lines to grills and irrigation lines often run near decks.
Neighbors and noise
Deck demolition is loud: saws, pry bars and hammering. Let your neighbors know the dates, keep the work to reasonable hours, and check local noise rules or HOA work-hour limits. Keep debris on your side of the property line, and make sure nails and splinters don’t end up in a neighbor’s yard.
Replace or repair?
If the framing is sound, replacing only the decking boards and railings is far less work – and far less debris – than a full tear-out. A contractor or inspector can check joists, beams, posts and the ledger. If the frame is rotten or the deck was built without proper footings or flashing, full removal is usually the safer choice.
Placement and access
Put the container as close to the deck as the truck can safely reach – ideally on the driveway or a firm surface next to the yard. Carrying boards across a lawn is slow work. Protect the driveway with boards under the rails, and avoid placing the container on septic fields or sprinkler lines. See how to protect your driveway.
Time and tools for a DIY tear-out
A low, simple deck of a few hundred square feet is a realistic weekend project for two people with the right tools. Typical tools are a circular saw and a reciprocating saw, a pry bar and a cat’s paw, a hammer, a drill-driver for screws, a sledgehammer for footings, and a wheelbarrow. Safety gear matters: gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, sturdy boots and a dust mask for cutting treated wood.
Have the container delivered the morning you start, so boards go straight from the deck into the container instead of piling up on the lawn. Plan the pickup for the day after you finish, and ask the provider how much notice they need.
Reuse
Sound boards from a newer deck can be reused for raised beds, shelving or small projects – but not CCA-treated wood for anything that touches food or where children play frequently. Metal railings and hardware can go to a scrap recycler.
Questions to ask the provider
- Which size do you recommend for my deck’s size and height?
- Can concrete footings go in the same container, and up to what weight?
- Do you accept treated wood and composite, and is there any surcharge?
- Can the container be placed close to the backyard?
How our service fits in
Local Dumpster Network is a free referral service. When you call, you are connected with an independent, local dumpster provider that serves your ZIP code. Give them the deck size and materials, and they will recommend a container.