How much does deck building cost?
A new deck costs $4,400 to $12,000, averaging about $8,000 for a 300–400 square foot build. Installed pricing runs $15 to $80 per square foot: pressure-treated pine is cheapest, composite and PVC cost two to three times more but nearly eliminate maintenance.
National average
$8,000
Typical low
$4,400
Typical high
$12,000
Per square foot
$15 – $80
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Estimated project cost
$5,250 – $12,250
Most homeowners pay around $8,750
Compare decking material
Cost by material
Installed pricing per square foot.
| Option | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $15 – $35 |
| Cedar | $25 – $45 |
| Redwood | $30 – $50 |
| Composite (Trex, TimberTech) | $30 – $60 |
| PVC / cellular vinyl | $35 – $70 |
| Tropical hardwood (ipe, cumaru) | $40 – $80 |
| Aluminum | $45 – $90 |
Deck cost by size
Installed cost for a standard pressure-treated to composite build.
| Deck size | Pressure-treated | Composite | Hardwood |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 (100 sq ft) | $1,500 – $3,500 | $3,000 – $6,000 | $4,000 – $8,000 |
| 12x16 (192 sq ft) | $2,900 – $6,700 | $5,800 – $11,500 | $7,700 – $15,400 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $4,800 – $11,200 | $9,600 – $19,200 | $12,800 – $25,600 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $6,000 – $14,000 | $12,000 – $24,000 | $16,000 – $32,000 |
| 20x30 (600 sq ft) | $9,000 – $21,000 | $18,000 – $36,000 | $24,000 – $48,000 |
Deck cost by type
| Deck type | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ground-level platform | $3,000 – $9,000 | No railing or stairs required under 30 inches |
| Attached raised deck | $6,000 – $18,000 | Ledger, footings, railing and stairs |
| Second-story deck | $12,000 – $35,000 | Engineered posts and often permits + inspection |
| Wraparound deck | $15,000 – $45,000 | Multiple corners and long railing runs |
| Rooftop deck | $20,000 – $60,000 | Waterproofing and structural review dominate cost |
Where the money goes
A typical project budget, broken down by line item.
- Decking & railing material45% · $3,600
- Labor35% · $2,800
- Framing, footings & hardware15% · $1,200
- Permits & disposal5% · $400
Cost by region
Labor markets move the number more than any other single factor.
Northeast metro
$5,368 – $14,640
+22% vs. national average
West Coast metro
$5,280 – $14,400
+20% vs. national average
Mountain West
$4,620 – $12,600
+5% vs. national average
Midwest
$4,400 – $12,000
At the national average
South & Southeast
$4,048 – $11,040
-8% vs. national average
Rural nationwide
$3,784 – $10,320
-14% vs. national average
Common add-ons
Line items that show up on most quotes but rarely in the headline price.
Stairs
Per step
Built-in bench seating
Pergola or shade structure
Under-deck drainage
Deck lighting
Old deck demolition
Per square foot
Permit
DIY vs. hiring a pro
Hire a pro
$4,400 – $12,000
Do it yourself
$2,000 – $6,000
A ground-level rectangular deck is achievable DIY. Anything elevated needs engineered footings and inspection.
Ways to save
Practical levers that lower the bill without cutting quality.
- Keep the deck rectangular and under 200 sq ft where codes ease off.
- Frame with pressure-treated lumber and spend only on the visible deck surface.
- Build ground level — every foot of elevation adds framing, footings and railing.
- Schedule in fall when builders discount to keep crews busy.
- Skip fascia wraps and picture framing details that add labor with no structural value.
Questions to ask your contractor
- 01What footing depth do you use for our frost line?
- 02Is the framing pressure-treated and what hardware do you use?
- 03Are stairs, railings and permits in the quoted price?
- 04What is the workmanship warranty?
Frequently asked questions
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Get deck quotesDeck Building cost by city
Local labor rates, permits and climate change the number. Pick your city for prices near you.
Deck Building cost in Los Angeles, CA
$5,456 – $14,880
Deck Building cost in San Diego, CA
$5,192 – $14,160
Deck Building cost in San Jose, CA
$6,072 – $16,560
Deck Building cost in San Francisco, CA
$6,380 – $17,400
Deck Building cost in Oakland, CA
$5,808 – $15,840
Deck Building cost in Sacramento, CA
$4,752 – $12,960
Deck Building cost in Fresno, CA
$4,312 – $11,760
Deck Building cost in Long Beach, CA
$5,368 – $14,640
Deck Building cost in Anaheim, CA
$5,280 – $14,400
Deck Building cost in Santa Ana, CA
$5,236 – $14,280
Deck Building cost in Irvine, CA
$5,544 – $15,120
Deck Building cost in Riverside, CA
$4,664 – $12,720
Deck Building cost in San Bernardino, CA
$4,532 – $12,360
Deck Building cost in Bakersfield, CA
$4,268 – $11,640
Deck Building cost in Stockton, CA
$4,488 – $12,240
Deck Building cost in Modesto, CA
$4,400 – $12,000
Deck Building cost in Chula Vista, CA
$5,060 – $13,800
Deck Building cost in Fremont, CA
$5,940 – $16,200
Deck Building cost in Pasadena, CA
$5,632 – $15,360
Deck Building cost in Glendale, CA
$5,500 – $15,000
Deck Building cost in Santa Clarita, CA
$5,104 – $13,920
Deck Building cost in Torrance, CA
$5,412 – $14,760
Deck Building cost in Oxnard, CA
$5,016 – $13,680
Deck Building cost in San Mateo, CA
$6,160 – $16,800