Deck Material Prices

Materials cost anywhere from $20 to $45 per square foot. This includes all planking, beams, bolts and railings. For simple decking planks used for the walking surface, you might spend between $2 and $30 per square foot. We’ll talk more about pricing for decking in the next section.

Less expensive materials require more maintenance, like regular cleaning and resealing to avoid rotting and color changes. When choosing materials for your project, your options fall into three main categories: plastics, wood and composites.

Plastics & Composite Decks

• Composite decking materials cost: $30-$40 per square foot. Includes moorings, railings, framework, hardware and other components.
• Decking boards only: $12-$22 per square foot.
• 320-square-foot structure: $9,600-$12,800, not including labor.

Pressure-Treated Wood Deck Cost Per Square Foot

• Pressure-treated wood materials: $15-$20 per square foot.
• Decking boards: $2-$5 per square foot.
• 320-square-foot structure: $4,800-$6,500 not including labor.

This is an attractive material for those on a budget.

Elevated Concrete Deck Cost

Elevated concrete decks range anywhere from $30 to $75 per square foot depending heavily on your location, the dimensions of the slab and what finishing materials you choose. You or your contractor should have the structure designed by a licensed engineer. Hiring a residential structural engineer costs $300 to $700.

Finishing options include:

• Paint
• Stamped concrete.
• Tile

Steel Deck Framing Cost vs. Wood

Steel framing runs 50% to 100% more than wood. The price continues to drop as it becomes more popular. Many installers use wood posts clad in steel with metal joists and fasteners. These systems are perfectly straight and never warp, rot or twist. Most composite decks, like Trex, use steel frames.

Decking Board Costs

Decking runs anywhere from $2 to $30 per square foot. "Decking" refers only to the boards that make up the walking surface of the porch. This cost does not include hardware, framing, concrete, posts or other supporting construction.

For a unique, elegant finish, try using concrete, steel or pressure-treated wood for your framing and finishing with a warm wood, such as redwood, mahogany, Ipe or bamboo. Each have their own costs, pros and cons.

Redwood Decking Cost

Depending on the grade, a redwood decking runs $5 to $30 per square foot. The average 320-square-foot redwood deck runs $6,400 to $12,800.

Mahogany Decking Price

Mahogany, an American hardwood, costs $8 to $11 per square foot for planks. Total material prices will vary because it's not used in the posts or framing. You might find this on concrete, steel, aluminum or pressure-treated framing.

Ipe

Ipe exotic hardwood costs $10 to $20 per square foot. Tight regulations and industry oversight can make the tropical woods harder to come by, but their durability is enough for some people to justify the price.

Tigerwood Backyard Deck Cost

Tigerwood, another Brazilian and African hardwood, runs $7 to $15 per square foot. Tigerwood has a distinctive striped pattern from which it gets its name. It's slightly cheaper than Ipe and comes with many of the same durability qualities but with a different look.

Bamboo Decking Costs

Bamboo runs $3 to $10 per square foot. It's actually a grass, not a wood. Bamboo is a fairly new material. When purchasing, be sure it comes from sustainable farms. Unscrupulous dealers may harvest from wild regions and damage natural habitats.

Cedar & Other Wood

Cedar planks cost $3 to $7 per square foot. This naturally insect and UV resistant wood is only slightly more expensive than pressure-treated woods and comes without any of the chemical treatments. It's an excellent environmentally friendly softwood grown in North America and harvested sustainably.

Aluminum & Metal Decking Costs

Aluminum runs $15 to $20 per square foot. Many of these systems are gapless, meaning they make a seamless waterproof roof for anything underneath. Because they are both waterproof and lightweight, they make great outdoor spaces that double as roofs above carports, patios and outdoor kitchens.

Fiberglass & Composite Decking

Composite decking is $12 to $22 per square foot. It's roughly 40% more expensive than wood.

Cost to Build a Deck Calculator

When calculating the cost of building a deck, you have to figure in more than just the wood. Be sure to factor in size, other construction and protection elements, taxes and insurance and all the little extras that make it not only usable but enjoyable!

• Budget for property tax increases which vary by state and municipality.
• You’ll also want to include any increases to your insurance premiums from increased home value.

Deck Size Cost Estimator

Most decks fall it the $30 to $60 per square foot range. However, other factors can impact this figure such as:

• Regional pricing differences.
• Complex designs.
• Second story installs.
• Material type chosen.

If you want a large or elaborate install, you will spend quite a bit more than for a small platform. It comes down to functionality. The following chart assumes a first floor install with railings, balusters, stairs and made from mid-grade materials. Most fall in the 300 to 400 square foot range.

Labor Cost of Building a Deck Per Square Foot

Most pros charge about $15 to $35 per square foot. Expect to pay more for Ipe, Tigerwood and other extremely tough-to-work-with woods.

Taxes & Insurance

The average wood deck increases a home’s value by about $10,000 or about 50% to 75% of your installation investment. Expect your property taxes to go up as well. You may also increase your insurance premiums.

• Check with your local assessor’s office for tax data and information.
• Call your insurance agent during the planning phase for premium increases.
• Check with the contractor for a Certificate of Occupancy. This certifies the deck load capacity for a specific number of people.
• Make sure the contractor carries insurance.

Deck Designs & Cost

This guide covers basic rectangular and L-shaped designs. For complex, multi-level or wrap around decks, you can expect to add anywhere from 50% to 100% to your budget. Not only do complex designs require more time to install, they also present a higher amount of waste materials, planning and preparation.

Average Cost to Build a Deck with a Roof on It

It’ll run anywhere from $5,000 to $35,000 to build one with a roof on it. If you find that it isn't comfortable enough year-round, go the extra mile and build a roof, enclosure or sunroom.

• Adding a roof runs $3,000-$10,000.
• Building a sunroom costs $20,000-$60,000.
• Deck enclosures cost $8,000-$25,000.

Cost of Deck Installation with Stairs

Adding stairs runs $15 to $25 per square foot in addition to your base price. They’re time and labor intensive to install.

Floating Deck Cost

Floating decks run $20 to $60 per square foot. The only difference between the floating and standard type is attachment. Floating styles aren’t attached to the home and require a few additional support posts underneath the structure.

Second Story Deck Prices vs. Ground Level Decks

Adding one to a second story ranges from $40 to $50 total per square foot for additional posts and stairs. Accessibility issues can push that price even further up. For example, trying to install one over a garden or pool requires erecting additional scaffolding.

Ground level decks range from $10 to $20 per square foot or about half the price of a standard style. This is because they have no stairs and often no railings. Consider these a wooden patio.

Cost to Build a Roof Deck

You’ll spend at least $25,000 for a basic rooftop deck. With luxury upgrades, like an outdoor kitchen, you can quickly exceed $50,000. However, this type gets the best ROI. You can expect to recoup your entire investment. In southern climates, you might even see up to 1.5 times return.

Cost to Build a Balcony

Building a balcony runs $15 to $35 per square foot. Third story or higher can significantly increase the price. You’ll often recoup the investment when it comes time to sell.

Other Additional Features

Additional features run anywhere from a couple hundred to a few thousand. Depending on your location, budget and tastes, consider the following upgrades:

• Lighting: $8-$30 each. Post lighting runs $30-$100+ each. Light fixture installation costs can run another $150 each.
• Heaters: $100-$300 depending on style and output.
• Outdoor misting systems cost $1,800-$3,100.
• Seating:
  • A “chat set” consisting of four chairs and a low table: $350.
  • Chairs, a sofa, some end tables and a coffee table: $4,000.
  • Bar counter: $500.
  • Awnings: $700-$1,000.
  • Slipcovers: $20-$250.
  • Replacement cushions: $30-$150.
• Landscaping costs $1,500-$5,300.
• Deck enclosure costs $8,000-$25,000.

Staining, Sealing and Waterproofing.

Remember to include the price of routine maintenance in your project budget. Most maintenance includes power washing and resealing, painting or staining.

• Pressure washing costs $150-$400. You’ll want to do this prior to resealing or painting.
• Deck staining costs $500-$1,000. For the DIYer, the price of stain is around $30 per gallon.
• Waterproofing or Sealing a deck costs $550-$1,200. Sealer runs $20-$40 per gallon.
• Refinishing a deck costs $300-$7,000. This will remove all old stains, sealants and paints and sand the surfaces smooth. Finally, the pro will repaint, stain or seal the surface.

DIY or Hire a Professional?

If you build this yourself and any part of the workmanship turns out to be faulty, you may be liable for any resulting damages or injuries. If you do decide to build one yourself, you should be aware of these common risks and pitfalls:

• Uneven boards.
• Rails and stairs that are improperly supported.
• Inadequate foundation support can lead to bending and bowing, or even to a catastrophic collapse.
• Building code violations costing time and money after it’s complete.

Find a professional deck installer near you today. Always read reviews and check references. In the end, you’ll know you have a professionally built deck that is safe for family and friends.

Cost to Build a Deck Yourself

It’ll run you about 65% what it would be to hire a professional. While material and labor are split about 50/50, you can’t purchase materials at the lower prices a contractor can find. Also consider your time. It’ll take 3-4 weekends to complete.

Getting a Professional Deck Quote

Getting professional quotes is easy. Browse our deck installation directory for reviews and ratings. Expect any reputable company to give free quotes. But follow these tips:

• Never take a quote from a contractor who doesn’t visit the site.
• Always get at least 3 bids.
• Check ratings and reviews.
• Ask if they’re insured and bonded.
• Ask to see examples of previous work.

FAQs

How much should I charge to build a deck?

You should charge anywhere from $30 to $75 per square foot depending on the difficulty of the install and the price of materials.

How much does it cost to build a small deck?

A small deck can run as little as $2,500 for an 8-foot by 8-foot area.

How much does a deck extension cost?

Adding onto an existing deck runs $15 to $50 per square foot. It depends on your location, the type of materials, and how complex the design is.

Are sustainable woods cheaper?

Sustainable woods aren’t necessarily any cheaper. Sustainable farms can provide at least some guarantee as to the health of the wood. Except for redwood, most natural woods used for decks are sustainably grown. However, make sure your supplier or contractor sources from farms that practice sustainable growing.

How much is an enclosed or covered deck?

Enclosed or covered decks range from $6,000 to $26,000, depending on size.

How much does it cost to build a patio deck?

A patio installation costs $1,800 to $5,000. Patios are inground areas typically made from stone, concrete or tile.

What does it cost to install a veranda?

Total to install a veranda, or a roofed wrap-around porch, starts at $50 per square foot.

Note: If you’re looking for Veranda brand composite decking, that’ll run you $10 to $20 per square foot for both materials and labor, not including the foundation or framing.

What’s the cost of repairing or replacing your deck?

Deck repairs cost $700 to $2,500 depending on the severity of the damage.

What should I do before estimating deck costs?

Always create a comprehensive plan to start. Consider talking to an outdoor living designer, deck contractor or engineer to help with this process. By creating a mock-up and paying attention to specifics before you commit to a contractor or building plan, you'll save yourself the cost and hassle of changing your mind once the project is underway.

Follow these simple tips to get started:

• Experts recommend creating a mockup.
• Put everything you intend to have on your deck where it's going to go.
• Mark it off and measure.
• Leave it all in position and note how much sun your location does or doesn't get. If you get too much or not enough shade, you may want to rethink the location.