Decks, pergolas, outdoor kitchens and landscape lighting: costs, materials and the permits to plan for.
Repair a deck when the frame, ledger and posts are sound and the damage is limited to boards, railings, stairs or the finish. Replace it when rot or insects have spread through the framing. Repairs average about $1,465; replacement often runs $5,420 to $14,540.
October 5, 2026
Fire pit ideas run from a portable steel bowl on gravel to a stone pit or gas fire table built into a patio. HomeAdvisor puts the average at about $850, with most projects between $200 and $3,000.
September 29, 2026
A patio cover can be a $120 shade canopy or a $30,000 gable roof. This Old House puts most patio roofs at $14,000 to $31,000, and the right type depends on whether you need shade, rain cover or snow strength.
September 27, 2026
Most wood decks need a fresh coat every 2 to 3 years, from about 1 year for a clear sealer to 4 to 6 years for a semitransparent stain. Stain on a dry, mild day between 50°F and 90°F, out of direct midday sun, with no rain in the forecast.
September 23, 2026
A hose-fed portable outdoor shower costs about $50 to $300, while a plumbed shower with hot water, an enclosure and drainage can run into the thousands. The cheapest spot is usually an exterior wall behind a kitchen or bathroom.
September 19, 2026
Screening in an existing covered porch usually costs about $2,000 to $4,000. Building a new screened porch with a roof runs about $25 to $120 per sq ft, and custom builds can cost far more.
September 14, 2026
Professionally installed landscape lighting usually costs $3,000–$6,000, or about $90–$150 per installed low-voltage fixture. Most homes use low-voltage LED lights for paths, trees, walls and patios.
September 11, 2026
On flat ground, a patio is usually cheaper than a raised deck and outlasts a wood deck. For 16x20, HomeAdvisor puts pavers at about $2,600–$8,000, a ground-level deck at $3,200–$6,400 and its size-table deck at $12,800–$19,200. Decks suit slopes.
September 6, 2026
Most outdoor kitchens cost about $6,300–$27,100, with a national average near $16,500. LawnLove's figures run from about $2,880 for a basic prefab setup to over $40,000 for a top-of-the-line build.
August 31, 2026
A pergola has an open, slatted roof that filters sun; a gazebo has a solid roof that blocks rain. Most pro-built pergolas cost about $2,100–$6,400, while a built 10x10 gazebo runs about $7,500–$10,500.
August 25, 2026
Composite decking costs more up front (about $12–$22 per sq ft for boards vs. $2–$5 for pressure-treated wood) but needs only cleaning. Wood is cheaper to build and easy to repair, but needs refinishing every 1–6 years.
August 19, 2026
