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Cost to build a deck

All prices and remodeling costs revised and updated for 2020

Read about remodeling costs and estimating labor expenses first

How much does it cost to build a deck?

Cost to build a new deck vary from $21.0 to $71.0 per square foot or from $3,528 to $11,928 for standard 12’ x 14’ deck construction depending on decking prices and work complexity which directly affect the cost of labor. Type of decking is an essential factor in determining the cost of building a deck. Particular materials not only vary in purchase price, but labor cost will be different when using a specific product due to simplicity or complexity of working with a certain type of decking materials.

Decking prices chart and labor expenses

Average expenses to build standard deck (per square foot cost)
Type of decking materials
Cost of materials1
Labor cost2
Total price
Treated pine deck
$7.5 - $9.0
$13.5 - $17.0
$21.0 - $25.0
Cedar or redwood deck
$9.5 - $10.5
$13.5 - $19.5
$23.0 - $30.0
Vinyl deck
$19.0 - $30.0
$18.0 - $32.0
$37.0 - $62.0
Composite deck
$17.0 - $29.0
$19.0 - $30.0
$36.0 - $59.0
Exotic wood deck
$18.0 - $35.0
$19.0 - $36.0
$37.0 - $71.0

1 Cost of materials estimated as a charge per square foot in the case a contractor will purchase and supply all necessary materials at his own discretion to build a standard deck.

2 Cost of labor calculated as a fee per square foot to build standard one level deck with minimum 140 sq. ft. of deck area on a flat surface up to 5’ above ground level excluding building stairs. Multi-level custom designed or decks smaller than 140 sq. ft. will be priced at higher rates. Cost to build stairs will be added as a separate charge.

How the price of composite decking was estimated?

Cost of Trex decking is not only the factor when it comes to composite decking materials prices. There are also other products such as EverGrain, Veranda and Yakima which will project the average composite decking materials cost.

What include in the decking materials cost?

In the total materials cost section include expenses not only for decking boards, which are normally 35% - 65% of total materials expenditures, but gross amount spent on concrete, posts, hangers, railing and other components while building a deck.

What was included in the cost to build exotic wood deck?

Ipe is on the top of a list when it comes to exotic wood decking materials, but cost of cumaru and tiger wood was taken into price calculation as well.

How much does it cost to build a rooftop deck?

Roof top deck is a cheapest option when it comes to labor cost because there is no digging and concrete work involved for building a foundation. But the factor of transporting materials on the roof might increase the total price of constructing roof-top deck significantly.

How decking materials sold?

Decking boards and posts are priced according to linear foot calculation by different sizes or simply as a price per every foot for a particular product with certain dimensions. In our case all costs and decking prices were converted to approximate charges per square foot (sq. ft.).

Basic labor cost will include:

- building concrete foundation for posts according to local codes
- installation of posts
- standard deck construction
- deck railing installation

What are the extra costs?

There are many factors which might increase the total cost of building a new deck. Area preparation for a new deck construction will result in additional charges. Building stairs or installation of custom made balustrades as well as incorporation of a few decking materials into a ustom build deck design cannot be calculated simply on per square foot basis. Cost for such work will be much higher in comparison with a simple standard construction. It is very common to use one type of material for building a structure of a deck and other for flooring and railing or balustrades. In such case cost will be prorated accordingly to prices for specific products used. Steel posts or metal frame deck construction might be estimated as much as 50% - 150% more expensive for labor and materials in comparison with a wood option.

Summary of costs to build a deck

Deck prices comparison chart
Deck type
Average cost3
Price comparison
Difference in cost4
Treated pine deck
$23.00
87%
- 13 %
Cedar or redwood deck
$26.50
100%
Base price
Vinyl deck
$49.50
187%
+ 87 %
Composite deck
$47.50
179%
+ 79 %
Exotic wood deck
$54.00
204%
+ 104 %

3 Average cost to build a deck includes total expenses for labor and materials for basic deck construction.

4 Difference in cost indicates you savings or how much more you should expect to pay in percentage equivalent for building a certain type of a deck based on materials used in comparison with cedar or redwood deck.

All prices are approximate and accurate final estimate will be provided by a contractor only after reviewing a deck plan, inspecting the area and analyzing difficulty of work.

How much did you pay for building a deck?

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* The numbers are a general idea what expect to pay for a particular remodeling project. The data was analyzed based on hundreds of home improvement projects, but on the national scale it is NOT enough to say the accuracy is high. Exact labor cost will be estimated only after contractor or installer inspects the area.