The cost to build a deck that is 10×10 in size is approx $2,000, $6,500 to build a 14×20 foot deck, and $8,800 to build a 20×20 foot deck. A deck made of pressure-treated wood, hardwood, or composite costs about $25 per square foot for both materials and installation.
The average cost of constructing a deck is $25 per square foot, with most homeowners spending anywhere from $4,380 to $10,500 on the project. A low-cost deck built with basic materials costs $15 per square foot, while a high-end deck costs $35 per square foot.
However, the final cost is determined by the materials used, size, level, and any additional options.
Cost to Build A Deck By Size
Here are the most common deck sizes and their average building costs, based on a variety of materials from basic to premium:
| Deck Size | Square Feet | Average Cost |
| 8×10 | 80 | $1,500 – $2,800 |
| 10×10 | 100 | $1,700 – $3,500 |
| 10×12 | 120 | $2,000 – $4,200 |
| 12×12 | 144 | $2,150 – $5,040 |
| 12×20 | 240 | $3,400 – $8,400 |
| 14×20 | 280 | $4,000 – $9,800 |
| 16×16 | 256 | $3,540 – $8,960 |
| 20×20 | 400 | $6,100 – $14,000 |
Labor Cost to Build a Deck
A deck can significantly increase the value of your home. However, labor is a significant aspect of the total cost. The cost of labor to build a deck ranges from $8 to $22 per square foot. It will depend on several factors. For instance, the size, materials used, and the level built on. It will also depend on the conditions of the area and any additional features such as built-in seating or stairs.
Cost Of Lumber to Build A Deck
Lumber costs for the most common woods used in decking typically range from $6 to $8 per square foot. That means you can expect to pay anywhere between $20 to $35 per square foot for premium hardwoods and composite materials.
Cost to Build a Deck Based on the Material
The average cost of materials to build a deck is $6 to $8 per square foot. Pressure-treated wood, hardwood, and recycled composite are the three most popular materials for building a deck home addition in the United States.
Pressure Treated Deck
A pressure-treated wood deck costs an average of $6 per square foot or $12 to $18 per square foot, including installation.
Today, pressure-treated wood (PTW) is used on nearly 75% of all decks in the United States. It is fabricated to make the wood more resistant to insects, mold, and rot after being chemically treated under pressure.
Wood Deck
The cost of materials to build a deck with natural wood ranges from $3 to $15 per square foot, with most homeowners spending an average of $6 to $8 per square foot.
Wood decks are attractive and popular among homeowners, but they require more upkeep, such as staining and sealing regularly.
Here are the most common woods used for decking:
Bamboo: With an average cost of $3 per square foot, bamboo is the most cost-effective material for decking. It, like cedar, requires annual maintenance to stay in good shape.
Cedar: Cedar is naturally resistant to weathering, insects, and rot and costs $4 to $8 per square foot. Further, sanding, sealing, and staining are required on a yearly basis.
Redwood: The most common wood used in deck construction is redwood, which costs $7 per square foot. Unfortunately, It is susceptible to mold and sun damage if not properly maintained.
Ipe: Ipe is a Brazilian hardwood with a price range of $10 to $15 per square foot. It usually lasts for over 40 years and is mold-resistant. However, it is the most expensive wood to work with.
Tigerwood: Tigerwood is one of the most expensive and premium hardwoods for decking, costing between $6 and $15 per square foot on average. Like Ipe, tigerwood lasts for more than 25 years and requires special tools to drill holes for installation.
Composite Deck
Composite decking costs between $23 and $38 per square foot installed, with materials costing between $10 and $15 per square foot. A 12′ x 24′ composite deck with railings costs most homeowners between $5,821 and $10,826 to install.
Recycled composite decking is made to look like real wood and is becoming increasingly popular as a decking material. It’s made of recycled plastic, with polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) being the most common options.
Cost to Build Deck Stairs
Adding stairs to your deck can cost up to $150 more, depending on the number of steps needed. To figure out your final price, use a rough rule of thumb of $40 per step.
You will make a nice transition from the yard to the deck with the addition of some steps. You can also use this to move into the outdoor kitchen with ease. One set of steps may be sufficient, depending on the size of the yard; however, you may choose to add steps on either side of the deck.
Cost to Install Deck Railing
The average cost of installing deck railing is $20 per linear foot, depending on the material used in the construction of your deck. You don’t install a railing on all four sides of a deck because one of the deck’s sides runs parallel to the house.
Prices with balusters for a 42″-high handrail, one 2×4′ horizontal top rail, and one 2×6′ placed on the edge directly below the top rail are:
- Pine, pressure treated: $15 per linear foot
- Redwood, select heart: $19 per linear foot
- Recycled composite lumber: $36 per linear foot
Deck Framing Costs
Unless your deck is built on the ground, it will require concrete footers, support posts, beams, joists, and ledger boards for support framing. Ground-level decks will still have framing, but instead of posts secured to concrete footings, they may be able to be built on blocks.
Even if your deck flooring and railing are made of different materials, the framing is almost always made of pressure-treated wood.
The cost of framing a deck will vary depending on its size, height, and how it is attached to your house. Lumber prices also differ depending on where you live in the country. Further, the framing will cost between $85 and $100 per square foot.
Deck Flooring Costs
Pressure-treated wood, composite lumber, and hardwoods such as Ipe and cedar are the most common types of deck flooring.
Pressure-treated decking used to be the most cost-effective option, costing about 20% to 30% less than hardwood or composite decking. However, pressure-treated is now about 5% less expensive than the other two options due to some reasons.
When it comes to maintenance costs, longevity, and rot resistance, composite or hardwood may be your best option. The cost to build a deck is around $15 to $25 per square foot at the time of writing. On the other hand, composites and hardwoods cost $15 to $40 per square foot.
