How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck? [2025 Data] (original) (raw)
Building a Deck Cost Breakdown
By considering factors of how to build a deck, such as labor, deck material costs, and size, you can get an idea of the final price or where you might need to adjust your expectations. Below is a breakdown of the major components to factor into your plans to build a deck.
Size
The deck cost per square foot is $30 to $60 per square foot. The higher end of that range represents deck projects built on second stories, building a deck with high-end wood, or customized designs.
See the table below for general estimates based on the size of your deck:
| Dimensions | Square Feet | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10x10 | 100 | 4,000–4,000–4,000–6,000 |
| 10x12 | 120 | 3,600–3,600–3,600–7,200 |
| 12x12 | 144 | 5,760–5,760–5,760–8,640 |
| 12x16 | 192 | 5,400–5,400–5,400–10,800 |
| 12x20 | 240 | 9,600–9,600–9,600–14,400 |
| 14x20 | 280 | 11,200–11,200–11,200–16,800 |
| 12x24 | 288 | 11,520–11,520–11,520–17,280 |
| 16x20 | 320 | 12,800–12,800–12,800–19,200 |
| 20x20 | 400 | 16,000–16,000–16,000–24,000 |
Materials
Your deck material costs will make up a large portion of your total budget, ranging from $2 to $45 per square foot. Less-expensive materials can be tempting, but they may result in extra expenses for maintenance and repair, which you’ll need to hire a local deck contractor to handle.
| Decking Material | Average Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | 2–2–2–5 |
| Composite decking | 12–12–12–22 |
| Ipe Wood | 10–10–10–20 |
| Tigerwood | 7–7–7–15 |
| Mahogany | 8–8–8–11 |
| Redwood | 5–5–5–35 |
| Bamboo | 3–3–3–10 |
| Cedar | 3–3–3–7 |
| Aluminum/Metal | 15–15–15–20 |
Here’s a breakdown of the materials and their costs.
- Pressure-treated wood is a classic and durable decking material that costs around $2 to $5 per square foot but has higher upkeep requirements.
- Composite deck materials cost between $12 to 22persquarefoot∗∗formaterialsonlyor∗∗22 per square foot for materials only or 22persquarefoot∗∗formaterialsonlyor∗∗25 to $54 per square foot for an installed composite deck. They’re mostly recycled materials, so they’re a sustainable decking choice.
- Ipe wood decking costs around $10 to $20 per square foot on average but is more difficult to work with.
- Tigerwood costs about $7 to $15 per square foot. It has a beautiful and distinct striped pattern, so it’s one of the best wood for decks if you’re looking for an aesthetically appealing material.
- Mahogany costs $8 to $11 per square foot and is lower-maintenance than many materials.
- Redwood decking costs between $5 and $35 per square foot, and it naturally repels pests.
- Bamboo decking costs $3 to $10 per square foot. It’s strong, relatively inexpensive, and resists mold and rot, though it’s not ideal for northern climates.
- Cedar decking costs $3 to $7 per square foot and naturally resists bugs, moisture, and UV rays.
- Metal or aluminum decking costs $15 to $20 per square foot, and they’re lightweight, long-lasting, waterproof, and low maintenance.
Deck Type
Simply put, the more complex your deck build is, the more it will cost. Complicated types of decks like wraparound decks, multi-tier decks, and rooftop decks all require greater accessibility, additional prep work, and often more materials.
For example, if you want to build a floating deck, it will likely cost about $20 to $60 per square foot. These decks don’t actually float—they’re just not attached to your home. Because of this, they’ll need a few more support posts to keep them structurally sound.
Labor
Professional labor costs to build a deck are $15 to $35 per square foot on average. While it's tempting to cut costs by considering a DIY install, this route may end up costing you more in the long run if you don't have experience.
Deck Location
The location of your deck may impact the project cost. Building on a slope requires additional planning and an increase in labor expenses. If your deck isn’t in an easily accessible location, contractors may charge more for the extra difficulty in hauling the materials.
Your geographical location also impacts your overall cost to build a deck. People in big cities with a high cost of living will pay more in labor than those in rural areas. Other location-based cost factors include permits and materials availability.
First- vs. Second-Story Decks
Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock, gmnicholas / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
The type of deck you build will likely go hand in hand with where it’s installed. A second-story deck (which some contractors might deem a balcony) will cost more to build because it’s harder to install. The most common place to install a deck, which is also likely the most cost-effective, is on the first floor attached to the backside of your home.
Here’s one example of how the cost average might differ:
- 10x10 first-story deck: 1,000–1,000–1,000–2,000
- 10x10 second-story deck: 4,000–4,000–4,000–5,000
Framing
Framing a deck, which sets the joints of the unit to be structurally safe and sound, costs $9 to $12 for labor per square foot. The lumber or materials needed to frame your deck accounts for about 1/4 to 1/3 of the lumber you’ll need.
Flooring
Some homeowners choose to install flooring over a wood deck. Composite is a material option that works well, while more elegant choices like porcelain or ceramic could add thousands (or tens of thousands, depending on the deck’s size) to your price tag.
The average cost ranges from $20 to 45persquarefoot∗∗,dependingonthematerial.Pressure−treatedlumberwillcostbetween∗∗45 per square foot, depending on the material. Pressure-treated lumber will cost between 45persquarefoot∗∗,dependingonthematerial.Pressure−treatedlumberwillcostbetween∗∗15 and $25 per square foot.
Ongoing Expenses After Building a Deck
Decks also come with a few ongoing expenses. For the most part, your deck upkeep costs will depend on your decking material since some types require more maintenance than others.
- Deck repairs cost $270 for minor fixes and up to $7,500 for major problems. Common deck repairs include mold and mildew treatment and structural fixes.
- Cleaning your deck costs between $30 and $60 per hour for labor.
- The cost of staining a deck ranges from $550 to $1,250.
- Painting a deck costs between $500 and $2,000.
- Sealing a deck costs $550 to $1,330 when done by a professional.
- Property taxes, which vary by location.
Additional Costs When Building a Deck
Photo: AleksandarNakic / E+ / Getty Images
Here are a few more potential costs to consider when budgeting for this project.
Deck Permits
Most decks require a permit, depending on your location and the size of your deck. In some places, your deck won't need a permit if it's small (less than 200 square feet), low to the ground, and not attached to your house. Permit prices vary, but you can expect to pay between $230 and $500 if you need one.
Deck Prices for Your Insurance
A deck is a prime way to enjoy outdoor living, but it’s also something people can trip on (or fall off of). On top of that, it’s an extra asset in case anything unthinkable happens, such as a fire or a tornado. For these reasons, your homeowners insurance premiums could increase to compensate for the extra liability. Talk to your provider to find out the details.
Cost to Build a Deck Yourself
Building a deck is complicated, and it could become a safety issue if the structural foundation of your deck isn’t up to par. DIYing a deck should only be tackled by someone who’s competent at handling all aspects of the build. This isn’t most average DIYers
The safest and best option is to hire a local deck builder to construct the deck of your dreams. That way, you can ensure it’s built correctly and on time. Plus, deck builders can advise you on decisions like deck location, material, and size.
Professional installation ensures that the deck is built to code, minimizing the risk of costly repairs or replacements due to structural issues, improper materials, or faulty construction techniques. Moreover, pros have access to industry discounts on materials and tools, which can reduce up front costs.
3 Tips to Reduce Costs When Building a Deck
You can use your cost savings from building your deck to supply your future summer BBQ budget. Here are three ideas to help keep your new deck project costs down.
1. Choose a Simple Deck Design
Wraparound and multi-tier decks, as well as decks installed in tough locations to access, will always cost more than a simple rectangular design. Work with a local deck contractor to create a design that fits your aesthetic goals without going over your budget.
2. Opt for Cost-Conscious Lumber
Higher-end woods may look sleek, but you could pay twice as much for expensive lumber like redwood as you will for simple pressure-treated lumber.
Pressure-treated lumber costs more per square foot on the front end but will reduce the cost of maintenance compared to untreated wood once your deck is finished. Speaking of deck maintenance tasks, less-expensive materials, like wood, require a good amount of it. You’ll need to plan on spending around $700 to $1,600 per year to have your deck power washed and resealed.
3. Install Your Deck During the Offseason
Deck contractors with a waitlist have been known to drive up their prices to accommodate demand. If possible, build your deck in the winter or fall when demand for deck installations drops off so you can get the best price possible. As always, get quotes from multiple contractors and only work with licensed, insured, and bonded professionals.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 10,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.