Free Cost Guide · 2026
Cost to Build a Deck in 2026: Prices by Material and Size
The cost to build a deck in 2026 runs about $25 to $70 per square foot installed, which lands a typical 250 square foot deck between roughly $6,300 and $17,500. Where your project falls depends on the decking material, the size, the height above grade, and your site.
- Pressure-treated decks typically run $25 to $35 per square foot installed.
- Cedar decks typically run $30 to $50 per square foot installed.
- Composite decks typically run $40 to $60 per square foot installed.
- Tropical hardwood decks typically run $50 to $70 per square foot installed.
What goes into the cost to build a deck
Every deck bid splits across five cost centers: the decking boards, the substructure of joists and footings, the railing, the stairs, and the labor. The figures here are typical industry ranges that vary by region, size, material, and site conditions, so treat them as a sanity check on your quotes, not a fixed price.
Two levers set the cost to build a deck more than anything else: the decking material you choose and the height you build to. A ground-level pressure-treated rectangle sits at the bottom of the range; a raised composite deck with cable railing and stairs sits near the top.
Cost to build a deck by material
Material is the single biggest cost driver. The same 250 square foot deck can swing from the low $6,000s in pressure-treated pine to $17,500 in tropical hardwood. These are typical installed ranges, framing and labor included, that move with region and supplier.
| Decking material | Per sq ft installed | Typical lifespan | 250 sq ft total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $25 to $35 | 15 to 20 years | $6,300 to $8,800 |
| Cedar | $30 to $50 | 15 to 25 years | $7,500 to $12,500 |
| Composite | $40 to $60 | 25 to 30 years | $10,000 to $15,000 |
| Tropical hardwood (Ipe) | $50 to $70 | 40 to 50 years | $12,500 to $17,500 |
Composite costs more upfront but skips the yearly staining and sealing a wood deck needs, so it often wins on total cost over 20 years. Pressure-treated is the value pick if you plan to sell soon or maintain the deck yourself.
See your deck cost from a photo, free →
How deck size changes the total
Square footage scales the bill in a near straight line, so doubling the footprint roughly doubles material and labor. The ranges below assume a standard low deck; raising it above 30 inches adds railing, engineering, and permit cost.
| Deck size | Pressure-treated total | Composite total |
|---|---|---|
| Small (100 to 200 sq ft) | $2,500 to $7,000 | $4,000 to $12,000 |
| Medium (200 to 400 sq ft) | $5,000 to $14,000 | $8,000 to $24,000 |
| Large (400 to 600 sq ft) | $10,000 to $21,000 | $16,000 to $36,000 |
Add-ons stack on top. Pressure-treated railing runs $35 to $60 per linear foot installed, aluminum $60 to $90, cable rail $80 to $150, and stairs $120 to $200 per riser. For the fence or hardscape around the deck, our guides to the cost to install a fence and the cost to pour a concrete driveway use the same logic.
How to estimate your deck cost
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Measure the footprint and height
Multiply length by width for the square footage. A 12 by 20 foot deck is 240 square feet. Then measure the surface height above finished grade, since anything over 30 inches triggers guardrail and permit requirements under the International Residential Code.
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Pick the decking material
Pressure-treated runs $25 to $35 per square foot installed, cedar $30 to $50, composite $40 to $60, and tropical hardwood $50 to $70. Material alone drives roughly 40 to 55 percent of the total on a typical build.
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Price the substructure, railing, and stairs
Pressure-treated joists, beams, posts, and concrete footings add $8 to $14 per square foot on top of the decking. Then layer in railing at $35 to $150 per linear foot by type and stairs at $120 to $200 per riser.
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Add permits, labor, and contingency
Permit fees commonly run $150 to $800, and a raised deck adds engineered drawings on top. Adjust the total up for high-cost coastal metros and hold back 8 to 12 percent contingency for surprises.
Ways to keep your deck cost down
A few moves reliably trim 10 to 30 percent off a build without cutting quality. Keeping the deck under 30 inches above grade often skips the guardrail and permit burden, saving several hundred dollars in fees and drawings. A simple rectangle instead of curves and levels cuts framing waste, and pressure-treated framing under composite boards trims a few dollars per square foot. Booking in the fall or winter shoulder season often earns a discount. For the interior side of a remodel, our cost to paint a house interior guide uses the same per square foot logic.
Estimate your deck cost fast with SimplyWise
Ranges like these get you in the ballpark. To price a specific deck, the SimplyWise Cost Estimator turns a photo of the job into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds, so you can compare a contractor’s quote or hand a homeowner a clean number. It is free to try.
Estimate Deck Costs From a Photo
Sources
- Cost figures are typical industry ranges that vary by region, size, material, and site conditions, not quotes for a specific project.
- Deck guardrail and permit thresholds referenced from the International Residential Code (International Code Council).
The decking material you pick and the height you build to move the cost to build a deck more than any railing upgrade you add later.
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Cost to build a deck: common questions
How much does it cost to build a deck in 2026?
In 2026, the cost to build a deck runs about $25 to $70 per square foot installed. A 250 square foot pressure-treated deck typically lands between $6,300 and $8,800, while the same deck in composite runs $10,000 to $15,000. These are typical ranges that vary by region, size, material, and site conditions.
What is the cheapest decking material?
Pressure-treated pine is the lowest-cost decking, typically $25 to $35 per square foot installed. Cedar is the next tier at $30 to $50, and composite runs $40 to $60. Composite costs more upfront but skips the yearly staining and sealing a wood deck needs.
Do I need a permit to build a deck?
Usually. Most jurisdictions require a permit for any deck attached to the house and any freestanding deck more than 30 inches above grade, the height that triggers guardrail requirements under the International Residential Code. Permit fees commonly run $150 to $800. Check your local building department before you start.
How long does it take to build a deck?
A three-person crew typically builds a 250 square foot single-level deck in 3 to 5 days. Multi-level designs, curves, and cable railing add to the schedule, and permitting can add 1 to 3 weeks before any work starts.
How can I estimate my deck cost fast?
Use the SimplyWise Cost Estimator. Snap a photo of the job and it returns an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds, so you can sanity-check a builder’s quote or price the work yourself. It is free to try, no credit card required.
Get your deck cost from a photo in seconds.
Snap a photo of the job and get an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds. Compare a builder’s quote line by line or hand a homeowner a clean number the same day. Free to try, no credit card.