Cost to Build a Deck – 2023 Price Calculator

How Much Does a New Deck Cost?

Often, adding a deck is a significantly less expensive way to add outdoor living space than adding an addition to your home.

Adding a deck can add significant value to your home as well. The average cost of building a deck is about $30 – $60 per square foot, and most spend $4,400 to $12,000 on average to build a small to moderately sized deck.

Building a larger deck has costs starting around $20,000, while deluxe decks cost closer to $40,000 to $50,000.

There are several things to consider when establishing a budget for your project to help get a more precise estimate.

How Much Does a Deck Cost

Several factors contribute to the cost of a deck, and they must be considered to estimate the cost. Perhaps the most important factor is the size.^[1] The actual square footage directly affects how much materials are needed and thus the cost.

The average deck is 300 to 400 sq. ft. in size. Decks are often estimated by the square foot, however there are other very important factors to consider.

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Deck Height

Height is another factor that affects the cost of building a deck. The higher elevation adds additional danger and complexity to the installation.^[2] Decks that are high in the air also require extra post length.

Decks that are a story off the ground need a larger set of stairs and longer posts than a deck that is near the ground. Stairs are a costly addition to a deck, so consider that adding them will increase the overall cost.

Adding stairs to a second-story deck will increase the cost by about $1,500 on average.

Deck Railings

Deck railings are another cost factor, and choosing a more expensive railing option will affect the cost of the deck. For example, a fine clear glass rail will be significantly more costly than a pressure-treated prefabricated rail.

If you’re using composite lumber and decking for the rest of the deck, you’re likely to use it here as well, which will also increase costs. The cost of the railing includes the cost of posts, rails, and balusters.

If you’re estimating the cost of a railing, check out our baluster calculator.

Decking Material

The choice of flooring is a major factor when estimating the price of a new deck. Wood decks have a national average cost of $53 per square foot^[3] while composite decks often cost $73 per square foot.^[4] The cost of the flooring material itself is not that much, of course, and will vary depending on the type of material you choose to use.

Some materials also require less maintenance which helps offset the cost over the long run. See our deck flooring calculator to estimate how much flooring material you’ll need for your deck.

Pressure-Treated Flooring

Pressure-treated wood decking costs, on average, $3 to $6 per square foot. Pressure-treated wood is cost-effective, long-lasting, and insect resistant. Pressure-treated wood decks do require additional maintenance and frequent staining and need galvanized fasteners to prevent corrosion.

Cedar Flooring

Cedar wood decking costs $8 to $15 per square foot on average. Cedar is also cost-effective, beautiful, long-lasting, and naturally insect resistant. These decks do require additional maintenance and frequent staining but do not need galvanized fasteners.

Redwood Flooring

Redwood wood decking costs around $9 to $15 per square foot. Redwood is beautiful, very long-lasting, does not warp, and accepts deck stain very well. Redwood is quite a bit more expensive than pressure-treated wood or cedar.

Composite Flooring

Composite decking usually costs around $5 – $12 per square foot. Composite is very durable, looks great, and requires virtually no maintenance. Composite is on the more expensive end of material choices, but since it does not require stain, there is some cost savings in the long run. There are many types of plastic and composite decking that vary in cost.

Design Complexity

The design of the deck will determine how much labor is needed to install it. More complex designs take more time to install and will thus cost a bit more. Complex designs require more planning and layout, more cuts, and may have more wasted material.

Labor Costs

The area you live in will also impact the cost of building a deck. Labor costs have a national average of $15 to $35 per square foot to build most decks.

Some materials are more difficult to work with than others, which will increase costs. Likewise, the complexity of the design or the height can also impact labor. Labor costs vary by region, and labor amounts to the majority of the cost of a deck.^[5]

Geographic Location

Code requirements also vary by region, which will impact the amount of structure needed for the deck. For instance, colder climates require larger footings that need to be buried below the frost line, which increases the cost.

Deck Removal

If you need to remove your old deck, there will be some costs involved. Removal can cost anywhere from $500 – $1000 on average. You may be able to do some of this yourself if you choose, but it can be a very difficult job.

Also, consider that the removed waste material will need to be disposed of. Disposal rates will vary depending on the material of the old deck.

Estimating Deck Costs

After you have considered the above factors, you may be pretty close to figuring out how much your deck will cost. There are some other factors to consider to get a detailed estimate, such as footings, inspections, lighting, heaters, and other features.

Permit costs for new decks typically range from $225 to $500 on average as well.

Consider requesting a professional estimate for your project. Our professionals can give you an accurate estimate and more specific pricing for your local area. Also, consider that the information above is very general, and your deck costs may vary depending on your home and your location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to lay concrete or build a deck?

Does a deck add value to your home?

How much does it cost to build a 20x20 deck?

All pricing information on this page is based on average industry costs, and is subject to variance for project-specific materials, labor rates, and requirements.