Deck cost calculator
Enter the deck size, height and material. You get an estimated cost for materials and labor, broken down by part of the job, with the same deck priced in all three materials.
Your deck cost
Estimated total
$7,317.54
$38.11 per sq ft
- Decking$640.32
- Framing$584.40
- Footings$170.10
- Hardware$295.08
- Railing$1,214.40
- Stairs$138.24
- Labor$4,275.00
Same deck in
- Pressure-treated$7,317.54
- Cedar$9,438.18
- Composite$10,618.50
Not included: permits, removing an old deck, delivery and sales tax. Full materials list in the deck calculator.
What goes into the cost
Every line comes from the same materials list as the deck calculator: decking, joists, beams and posts, concrete, hardware, railing and stairs. Each one is priced from the list under Edit prices, with the markup added to materials, the way a contractor charges. Labor is priced per square foot of deck, per foot of railing and per step.
The estimate leaves out:
- permits and inspections
- removing an old deck, and site work like grading
- delivery and sales tax
- lighting, built-in benches and design fees
Cost by deck size and material
| Deck size | Pressure-treated | Cedar | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 × 12 ft | $6,023 | $7,757 | $8,832 |
| 16 × 12 ft | $7,318 | $9,438 | $10,619 |
| 16 × 16 ft | $9,267 | $11,926 | $13,257 |
| 20 × 12 ft | $8,653 | $11,160 | $12,396 |
| 20 × 16 ft | $11,001 | $14,141 | $15,509 |
| 20 × 20 ft | $13,164 | $17,031 | $18,619 |
Sample prices with a 20% markup on materials and labor included. Attached, 36 in high, with railing and one set of 4 ft stairs.
What changes the price most
- Decking material. In the sample prices, cedar and composite boards cost about three times as much per foot as pressure-treated pine.
- Railing. It's priced by the foot of edge, so on a small deck it's a big share: about 28% of the 16 × 12 ft example, materials and labor together.
- Height. A taller deck needs longer posts, more steps, and a railing by code once it's over 30 in.
- Labor. Rates vary more by region than anything else. Change them under Edit prices to match your area.
Composite deck cost: Trex, TimberTech and others
Choose Composite under Decking to price a composite deck. Brands such as Trex, TimberTech and Fiberon each sell several lines, from basic boards to premium capped ones, at quite different prices per foot. The composite price here is a sample for a mid-range board, so replace it under Edit prices with the price of the line you're pricing, and do the same for the railing.
Composite also changes the framing. The calculator puts stair stringers 12 in apart, as composite makers usually require, and counts hidden fasteners instead of deck screws. Check the installation guide for your boards: some lines need joists closer than 16 in, or 12 in on diagonal decking.
Trex, TimberTech and Fiberon are trademarks of their owners. This site isn't connected with them.
Questions
How much does a 16 × 12 deck cost?
With the sample prices here, 36 in high with railing and stairs: about $7,318 in pressure-treated wood, $9,438 in cedar and $10,619 in composite, materials and labor included. Your local prices will differ, so edit them above.
How much does a 20 × 20 composite deck cost?
About $18,619 with the sample prices, including railing and one set of stairs. The same deck in pressure-treated wood comes to about $13,164.
Is composite more expensive than wood?
Up front, yes: the 16 × 12 ft example costs $7,318 in pressure-treated wood and $10,619 in composite. Composite doesn't need staining or sealing, so some of the gap comes back over the years.
How much does a Trex deck cost?
It depends on the Trex line: the basic and premium boards differ a lot in price. With the sample composite price here, a 16 × 12 ft deck with railing and stairs comes to about $10,619. Choose Composite and put in the price per foot of the boards you want under Edit prices.
Does the estimate include a permit?
No. Permits, removing an old deck, site work, delivery, sales tax and design are extra. Add them as their own lines when you quote the job.
More deck calculators
- Deck calculator The full materials list and cost for any deck size.
- Deck board calculator How many deck boards to buy, with gaps and waste.
- Deck stair calculator Steps, riser height, total run and stringer length.
- Deck railing calculator Posts and balusters, spaced so every gap stays under 4 in.
- Deck joist span calculator The joist size for your span, from the IRC table.
- Deck footing calculator Footings and bags of concrete for your deck.
- Deck stain calculator Gallons of stain for the floor, railing and stairs.