How much does a deck cost?
Cost insights
$4,800 to $24,000- Most decks cost $25 to $45 per sq ft in pressure-treated wood and $45 to $75 per sq ft in composite, installed.
- A 16 by 20 deck, the most quoted size, runs about $8,000 to $14,400 in wood and $14,400 to $24,000 in composite.
- Composite costs more to build and less to keep. Wood needs sealing or staining every two to three years.
- Stairs, multi-level designs and height off the ground move quotes more than decking brand does.
Deck pricing is honest arithmetic once you see it: area times a per square foot rate, plus stairs, railing length and height. The wood vs composite choice doubles the material bill but not the labor, which is why the totals land closer than most homeowners expect. Price your size below, then read what the per foot rate leaves out.
Deck cost calculator
Deck area times the installed rate for your decking material.
Deck cost by size
Ground level, simple rectangle, railing on open sides included.
| Deck size | Area | Wood | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 by 12 | 144 sq ft | $3,600 to $6,480 | $6,480 to $10,800 |
| 12 by 16 | 192 sq ft | $4,800 to $8,640 | $8,640 to $14,400 |
| 16 by 20 | 320 sq ft | $8,000 to $14,400 | $14,400 to $24,000 |
| 20 by 20 | 400 sq ft | $10,000 to $18,000 | $18,000 to $30,000 |
Wood vs composite
| Material | Cost per sq ft | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | $25 to $45 | Seal or stain every 2 to 3 years |
| Composite | $45 to $75 | Wash yearly, no staining, fades slowly |
| Cedar | $35 to $55 | Seal yearly to hold color |
What determines the price?
Height and access
A deck you can step onto from the yard is the cheap build. Height means taller posts, more bracing, longer stairs and slower work, and second-story decks can double the framing bill.
Stairs and railing
Stairs are priced per step and railing per linear foot, and both add up quietly. A wide stair run and railing on three sides can add a third to a simple quote.
Footings and frost
Footings must sit below the frost line, which is shallow in the South and four feet down in the upper Midwest. Digging depth is regional labor you cannot negotiate away.
Permits and inspections
Most cities permit decks, and ledger attachment to the house is the inspection point that matters most for safety. A contractor who waves off the permit is telling you something.
Cost breakdown
| Item | Share of a typical job |
|---|---|
| Decking and framing materials | About 40 to 50% |
| Labor | About 35 to 45% |
| Footings, hardware and permits | About 10 to 15% |
DIY vs hiring a pro
DIY
A ground-level, simple deck is an advanced beginner project and a popular one. The skills are carpentry basics. The risks are footings, ledger flashing and stair math, so plan on inspections even as a DIY build.
Hiring a pro
Raised decks, decks attached over siding you cannot flash correctly, and anything with a hot tub belong with pros. A hot tub deck is a structural job wearing a deck costume.
On cost per year, composite often catches wood: figure wood upkeep at a weekend plus $150 to $400 in stain every two to three years, across a 20-year life, before you decide composite is the expensive option.
Ways to reduce the cost
- Keep the shape a rectangle. Every corner and level adds framing and railing cost.
- Get the railing and stairs priced as separate lines so you can compare quotes fairly.
- Build in late fall or winter where climate allows. Deck crews discount the slow season.
- Spend on the frame and footings first. Decking boards are the easiest part to upgrade later.
How we get this cost data
Our ranges are built from published US material pricing, labor rate data including US Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, and homeowner project reports. We update this page when prices move, and we show the updated date at the top. Ranges are national planning numbers. Your city and project condition will move your quote inside, or occasionally outside, the range.
Questions homeowners ask
How long does a deck build take?
Three to seven working days for a simple deck once permits clear. Permit review itself can take weeks, so start there.
Does a deck add home value?
Decks regularly return a solid share of cost at resale, and wood and composite return similar shares in most US studies. The bigger return is the summers you use it.
How long will it last?
A treated wood frame lasts 25 years or more. Wood decking needs upkeep to reach 15 to 20. Composite decking commonly carries 25-year warranties.