Quick Answer: A deck costs $15–$45+ per square foot installed. A 300 sq ft pressure-treated deck runs $5,000–$10,000. Composite costs $8,000–$18,000 for the same size. Material runs $2–$18/sq ft for boards plus $3–$4.50/sq ft for framing and hardware. Labor runs $3.25–$5.70/sq ft based on carpenter rates of $21.77–$31.75/hr nationally. Add $1,800–$2,650 for footings, railing, stairs, and permits. Enter your ZIP for local pricing.
Calculate how much it costs to build a deck. Select the decking material, size, quality, and ZIP code to get a location-specific estimate with a full cost breakdown.
Deck Cost by Material
| Material | Board $/Sq Ft | Installed $/Sq Ft | Lifespan | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-Treated | $2–$5 | $15–$25 | 10–15 yrs | Stain/seal yearly |
| Cedar | $4–$9 | $20–$35 | 15–20 yrs | Stain every 2–3 yrs |
| Composite | $5–$12 | $25–$40 | 25–30 yrs | Wash only |
| Hardwood (Ipe) | $8–$18 | $30–$50+ | 40+ yrs | Oil every 1–2 yrs |
How Deck Building Cost Is Calculated
- Decking material: Area × $2–$18/sq ft depending on material and grade.
- Hardware & framing: Area × $3.00–$4.50/sq ft for joists, beams, posts, screws, flashing, joist tape, and concrete footings.
- Labor: Area × hours per sq ft × hourly rate × 1.5 burden. Composite installs fastest (0.08 hr/sq ft); hardwood slowest (0.12 hr/sq ft).
- Fixed costs: Footings/piers ($400–$500), ledger board ($200–$250), stairs ($300–$500), railing ($600–$1,200), and permits ($300–$400).
- Contractor markup: 20% for overhead, profit, and warranty.
Deck Cost by Size
| Deck Size | Sq Ft | Pressure-Treated | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×12 | 120 | $3,000–$5,000 | $5,000–$8,000 |
| 12×16 | 192 | $4,000–$7,000 | $6,500–$11,000 |
| 14×20 | 280 | $5,500–$9,500 | $9,000–$15,000 |
| 16×24 | 384 | $7,000–$12,000 | $11,500–$19,000 |
Formula Summary
Deck Building Cost Formula: Total cost includes decking material, framing/hardware, burdened labor, and fixed costs for footings/railing/stairs/permits, multiplied by contractor markup.
Total = (A × M + A × H + A × L × R × 1.5 + F) × 1.20
where A = deck area (sq ft), M = decking material/sq ft, H = hardware/sq ft, L = labor hours/sq ft, R = hourly carpenter rate, 1.5 = labor burden, F = fixed costs, 1.20 = markup.
| Material | Board $/sq ft (mid) | Hardware $/sq ft | Labor hr/sq ft | Fixed Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-Treated | $3.50 | $3.00 | 0.10 | $1,800 |
| Cedar | $6.00 | $3.50 | 0.10 | $2,100 |
| Composite | $8.00 | $4.00 | 0.08 | $2,500 |
| Hardwood (Ipe) | $12.00 | $4.50 | 0.12 | $2,650 |
Constants: Labor burden 1.5×. Contractor markup 20%. Fixed costs include concrete footings, ledger board, stairs, railing, and permits. Trade: carpenters (SOC 47-2031). Rates from BLS OEWS May 2024, 393 metros.
Carpenters Hourly Rates by Metro (BLS OEWS May 2024)
| Metro | 25th %ile | Mean | 75th %ile |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $27.07 | $37.32 | $46.01 |
| Los Angeles | $26.91 | $36.97 | $47.02 |
| Chicago | $24.11 | $38.11 | $51.92 |
| Dallas | $20.33 | $24.01 | $26.76 |
| Houston | $22.32 | $24.93 | $28.40 |
| Washington | $23.86 | $30.71 | $34.34 |
| Philadelphia | $24.09 | $32.62 | $36.99 |
| Miami | $20.50 | $24.57 | $27.85 |
| Atlanta | $22.03 | $24.84 | $28.25 |
| Phoenix | $22.72 | $28.74 | $34.55 |
Need Material Quantities?
Use Our Deck Board Calculator →
Calculate exact deck boards, screws, and joists needed for your project.
Related Calculators
- Deck Board Calculator — calculate deck boards for your project
- Decking Calculator — calculate decking boards, screws, and joists
- Concrete Calculator — calculate concrete for deck footings
- Stair Calculator — calculate rise, run, and stringer dimensions
Estimates are for planning purposes only. Consult a qualified contractor for critical projects. Actual material requirements may vary based on site conditions, waste, and installation methods.
Pricing last verified: February 2026. Material prices vary by region, season, and supplier. Prices shown are national averages for planning purposes.