A new deck costs about $25 to $50 per square foot installed in pressure-treated pine and $40 to $80 per square foot in composite, so a 12×12 deck runs roughly $3,600 to $11,500 depending on the boards. Those rates cover the joist frame and decking on a typical attached deck. Railings, stairs, permits and removal of an old deck are often priced on top.
Height changes the number more than most people expect: a second-story deck costs about twice what a ground-level platform does, per square foot, in either material.
Key takeaways
- Pressure-treated pine: $25–$50 per sq ft installed, of which $14–$28 is materials and $11–$22 is labor (HomeGuide, 2026).
- Composite: $40–$80 per sq ft installed, with labor alone at $24–$48 because composite takes more careful assembly.
- Deck type moves the rate: a ground-level wood deck is $25–$30 per sq ft; a second-story wood deck is $50–$60.
- A full 16×20 deck with railing, three steps and a built-in bench averaged $18,263 in wood and $25,096 in composite in the 2025 Cost vs Value report.
- Railing is often priced separately: $20–$50 per linear foot for wood, up to $600 for glass.
| Cost item | Typical range | How to keep it down |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine deck, installed | $25–$50 per sq ft | Keep it low and rectangular |
| Composite deck, installed | $40–$80 per sq ft | Composite boards on a pressure-treated frame |
| 12×12 deck, installed (wood to composite) | $3,600–$11,500 | Size it to the furniture you own |
| 20×20 deck, installed (wood to composite) | $10,000–$32,000 | Split into two levels only if the yard slopes |
| Railing | $20–$600 per linear ft | Wood or composite instead of cable or glass |
| Stairs | $200–$600 in a new build; $1,400–$2,600 added later | Build them with the deck |
| Permit | $50–$150 | Ask whether the builder’s quote includes it |
| Old deck removal | $5–$10 per sq ft | Reuse sound footings only if an inspector agrees |
Assumptions: professionally installed, attached deck on a 1-story home unless noted, no regional adjustment. HomeGuide deck, composite deck, railing and stairs guides (2026 prices; Feb 2026, Nov 2023 and Sep 2025 bylines); removal from LawnLove (updated Dec 2025).
Deck cost per square foot by material
Deck cost per square foot by material is the first number to settle, because the boards set both the material bill and the labor rate. HomeGuide’s installed prices below include a complete deck system with the joist frame, on an average attached deck on a 1-story home. The last column is the board price alone, before frame, fasteners and labor.
| Decking material | Installed, per sq ft | Boards only, per sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $25–$50 | $2–$3.75 |
| Cedar | $30–$47 | $3.40–$6.00 |
| Redwood | $28–$54 | $5.50–$19 |
| Bamboo | $27–$52 | — |
| Mahogany | $30–$57 | — |
| Tigerwood | $40–$64 | — |
| Ipe | $50–$70 | $9–$16 |
| Composite | $40–$80 | $4–$16 |
| PVC | not separately priced | $5–$12 |
| Aluminum | $100–$125 | — |
Assumptions: installed column from HomeGuide’s deck cost guide (2026 prices, Feb 10, 2026), attached deck on a 1-story home with frame. Boards-only column from LawnLove (updated Dec 27, 2025) and, for composite and PVC, HomeGuide’s composite guide (Feb 10, 2026). No source gave an installed PVC rate, so none is shown.
The gap between the two columns is the point. Boards are a small part of a wood deck’s price; the frame, footings, hardware and labor make up the rest. That is why switching from pine to cedar boards adds a few dollars per square foot, while switching the whole deck to composite adds much more.
- Pressure-treated pine is the cheapest and easiest to work with, but HomeGuide says builders advise staining and sealing it every year.
- Cedar and redwood resist decay without chemical treatment; LawnLove gives cedar a 15–20 year life and redwood up to 30 years.
- Ipe lasts 40–70 years per HomeGuide, but is difficult to work with and slower to install.
- Composite needs no annual resealing and lasts 25–50 years against 10–25 for a wood deck.
- PVC boards look more like plastic and expand and contract with temperature, HomeGuide notes.
If you choose wood, budget for finish: HomeGuide prices staining at $1.50–$4.00 per square foot. The deck staining steps, weather window and dry times are covered separately.
Wood vs composite deck cost, side by side
Wood vs composite deck cost comes down to two numbers: composite boards cost more, and composite labor costs roughly twice as much. HomeGuide breaks both down per square foot, which shows where the extra money goes.
| Per sq ft, installed | Pressure-treated pine | Composite |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $14–$28 | $16–$32 |
| Labor | $11–$22 | $24–$48 |
| Total, new deck | $25–$50 | $40–$80 |
| Total, replacing an old deck (wood) | $30–$55 | — |
| Typical lifespan | 10–25 years | 25–50 years |
Assumptions: HomeGuide deck and composite deck cost guides (2026 prices, Feb 10, 2026); basic pressure-treated deck on a 1-story home; composite figures for attached ground-level and elevated decks with the frame.
HomeGuide explains the labor gap: composite requires more careful assembly with extra parts, and hidden fasteners add installation time. Capped boards, solid rather than hollow boards and wood-grain textures all push the material column toward the top of the range.
Over the life of the deck the gap narrows. A composite deck skips the yearly seal-and-stain cycle, and its 25–50 year life is roughly double a wood deck’s 10–25 years, so compare the composite price with a wood deck plus 10–20 years of finishing before you decide.
Deck cost by size
Deck cost by size is the per-square-foot rate multiplied by area, which is how HomeGuide builds its size tables. Bigger decks often come in lower per square foot, because setup, permits and stairs are spread over more area. The table shows installed totals for common sizes in both materials.
| Deck size | Sq ft | Pressure-treated pine, installed | Composite, installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8×10 | 80 | $2,000–$4,000 | $3,200–$6,400 |
| 10×10 | 100 | $2,500–$5,000 | $4,000–$8,000 |
| 10×12 | 120 | $3,000–$6,000 | $4,800–$9,600 |
| 12×12 | 144 | $3,600–$7,200 | $5,750–$11,500 |
| 12×16 | 192 | $4,800–$9,600 | $7,680–$15,350 |
| 16×16 | 256 | $6,400–$12,800 | $10,250–$20,480 |
| 16×20 | 320 | $8,000–$16,000* | $12,800–$25,600* |
| 12×20 | 240 | $6,000–$12,000 | $9,600–$19,200 |
| 20×20 | 400 | $10,000–$20,000 | $16,000–$32,000 |
| 24×24 | 576 | $14,400–$28,800 | $23,000–$46,000 |
Assumptions: HomeGuide size tables (2026 prices, Feb 10, 2026); pine column for decks attached to a 1-story home, composite column for attached ground-level and elevated decks. *16×20 row is arithmetic: 320 sq ft × HomeGuide’s $25–$50 and $40–$80 rates; HomeGuide does not list that size.
LawnLove reports that the typical American deck is 300–400 square feet, between the 16×20 and 20×20 rows. If your space is a fraction of that, the small deck layouts for 100 sq ft or less show what fits on an 8×10 or 10×10 footprint.
How height and deck type change the price
Height and deck type change the price because taller decks need bigger posts, deeper footings, railings and often scaffolding. HomeGuide prices five common deck types per square foot, and the spread is wider than the spread between most wood species.
| Deck type | Wood, per sq ft installed | Composite, per sq ft installed |
|---|---|---|
| Detached / floating (no railing, no stairs) | $20–$25 | $30–$40 |
| Ground-level platform, attached | $25–$30 | $40–$50 |
| Elevated (3 ft or more), attached | $30–$50 | $50–$80 |
| Second story, attached | $50–$60 | $80–$100 |
| Multi-level, attached | $60–$100 | $90–$130 |
Assumptions: HomeGuide deck and composite deck guides (2026 prices, Feb 10, 2026). Wood column uses common local wood types; composite column includes the substructure and decking surface.
- Floating decks sit close to the ground on gravel and concrete blocks and skip frost-depth footings. HomeGuide says many states do not require a permit for a freestanding deck under 200 square feet; confirm with your local building department.
- Ground-level platforms under 30–36 inches tall still need footings below the frost line, HomeGuide says, or frozen ground can push the posts up.
- Elevated decks at 3 feet or more typically require railings under building codes, HomeGuide notes.
- Second-story decks need large posts and reinforced footings, and an under-deck drainage system adds more.
Heavy loads change the frame, not only the boards. HomeGuide notes prices rise when a deck needs bigger reinforced footers for a hot tub or pergola. The hot tub deck load and placement guide covers why a filled tub needs its own framing plan and when to ask for an engineer.
What the per-square-foot price leaves out
What the per-square-foot price leaves out is where two quotes for the same deck drift thousands of dollars apart. HomeGuide lists railing, stairs, drainage, permits, design and finish as separate cost factors, and LawnLove prices removal of an old deck on its own. Ask each bidder which of these are inside their rate.
| Line item | Typical cost | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Railing, wood | $20–$50 per linear ft | How many feet of open edge, minus the stair opening? |
| Railing, vinyl or composite | $25–$60 per linear ft | Matching system or mixed parts? |
| Railing, aluminum / cable / glass | $50–$200 / $60–$500 / $100–$600 per linear ft | Are posts and blocking priced in? |
| Stairs, built with the deck | $200–$600 | How many steps? Is a landing needed? |
| Stairs, added to an existing deck | $1,400–$2,600 | Does the frame need reinforcing? |
| Permit | $50–$150 | Who pulls it and books inspections? |
| Structural engineer | $100–$220 per hour | Does your city require stamped drawings? |
| Old deck removal | $5–$10 per sq ft | Is hauling and footing removal included? |
| Yard leveling | $500–$1,000 | Can the frame follow the grade instead? |
| Drainage, ground-level deck | $1,000–$4,000 minimum | Does water pool where the deck will sit? |
| Gravel under the deck | $0.85–$2.80 per sq ft | Landscape fabric under it? |
| Lighting | $80–$300 per fixture | Is the outdoor outlet ($180–$350) separate? |
| Stain or paint | $1.50–$5 per sq ft | When can new wood take a finish? |
Assumptions: HomeGuide deck, railing and stairs guides (2026 prices; Feb 2026, Nov 2023 and Sep 2025 bylines); removal from LawnLove (updated Dec 2025). Installed prices, no regional adjustment.
Railing
Railing is priced per linear foot of open edge, not per square foot of deck, so a long, narrow deck carries more railing than a square one of the same area. Wood is cheapest at $20–$50 per foot; glass can reach $600. The deck railing styles, materials and code basics compare the options before you lock a price.
Stairs
Stairs are cheapest when they go in with the deck. HomeGuide says stairs in a new build add about $200–$600 for average stairs, while adding 4–8 basic steps to an existing deck costs $1,400–$2,600. Taller decks need longer stringers and more steps, and wide stairs need extra stringers.
Footings and frost depth
Footings and frost depth explain why the same deck costs more in a cold state. HomeGuide notes the local frost line sets how deep the concrete footers go, and that posts should not be buried, since they can rot. Ask how deep and how many footings the quote includes.
Permits and design
Permits and design fees are small next to the deck itself. HomeGuide prices a deck permit at $50–$150 and a structural engineer at $100–$220 per hour, which a complex deck may need for the permit application. Requirements are set locally, so check with your local building department before the design is final.
Removal and lighting
Removing an old deck costs $5–$10 per square foot, per LawnLove, and HomeGuide’s replacement rate of $30–$55 per square foot reflects that extra tear-out and haul-away. Lighting runs $80–$300 per fixture; the deck lighting layouts help you count fixtures before pricing them.
Estimate your deck: a worked example
To estimate your deck cost, multiply the area by a per-square-foot rate for your deck type, then add railing by the linear foot and the fixed items. The example below is arithmetic on the sourced rates above, not a quote, for a 12×16 elevated deck attached to the long side of a house.
- Area: 12 ft × 16 ft = 192 sq ft.
- Deck rate: elevated, attached. Wood $30–$50 per sq ft; composite $50–$80.
- Railing length: three open sides, 12 + 16 + 12 = 40 ft, minus a 4 ft stair opening = 36 linear ft.
- Stairs: built with the deck, $200–$600.
- Permit: $50–$150.
| 12×16 elevated deck (arithmetic) | Pressure-treated pine | Composite |
|---|---|---|
| Deck: 192 sq ft × rate | $5,760–$9,600 | $9,600–$15,360 |
| Railing: 36 ft × $20–$50 (wood) or $25–$60 (composite) | $720–$1,800 | $900–$2,160 |
| Stairs in the new build | $200–$600 | $200–$600 |
| Permit | $50–$150 | $50–$150 |
| Estimated total | $6,730–$12,150 | $10,750–$18,270 |
Assumptions: HomeGuide per-sq-ft rates by deck type, railing per linear foot, stairs-in-new-build range and permit range (2026 prices) multiplied and added. Excludes removal, drainage, lighting, finish, engineering and regional labor differences.
As a reality check, the 2025 Cost vs Value report priced a 16×20 deck, 320 square feet, with a pressure-treated frame on concrete piers, a full railing, three steps and a built-in bench and planter. The national average was $18,263 in pressure-treated wood and $25,096 in composite, or about $57 and $78 per square foot by division.
Those figures sit near or above the top of the HomeGuide ranges, because the package includes the railing, bench and planter. Use the low end of a range only for a simple, low, rectangular deck with easy access; use the high end for a raised deck, a tight site or a high-cost metro.
DIY vs hiring a deck builder
DIY vs hiring a deck builder is mainly a labor question: labor is $11–$22 of each square foot on a pine deck and $24–$48 on composite, per HomeGuide. Doing the work yourself removes that line, but adds tools, rentals and the risk of rework.
- Materials for a 12×12 DIY deck: $2,000–$4,000, or $14–$28 per sq ft, per HomeGuide.
- Tools: LawnLove lists about $178 of basic hand tools plus roughly $271 per day to rent saws, a nail gun, an impact driver and a post hole digger.
- Time: HomeGuide says a simple ground-level deck of 100–300 sq ft takes at least 5–7 days, and an elevated deck over 300 sq ft takes 2–4 weeks.
- Reasonable DIY: a small floating or ground-level deck with no ledger attached to the house.
- Hire a pro: elevated, second-story or multi-level decks, a ledger on the house, a hot tub, or any deck that needs engineered drawings.
LawnLove’s own comparison puts a DIY 300–400 sq ft deck at $2,133–$6,853 against $3,920–$10,540 professionally built, and warns that one mistake can wipe out the savings.
Mistakes to avoid when pricing a deck
Mistakes to avoid when pricing a deck usually come from comparing rates instead of scopes, which is how a deck ends up costing more than the quote.
- Comparing per-square-foot prices without the railing. One bid includes 36 feet of railing, another adds it later.
- Adding stairs after the build. The same steps cost $200–$600 in a new build and $1,400–$2,600 later.
- Pricing composite boards on a cheap frame. The frame is usually pressure-treated wood; ask for joist size, spacing and footing depth in writing.
- Ignoring drainage. Water pooling under a ground-level deck rots supports; HomeGuide prices a drainage system at $1,000–$4,000 minimum.
- Planning a hot tub after the frame is built. A reinforced frame and footings cost far less to build in than to retrofit.
- Skipping the permit question. A failed inspection can mean tearing out finished work.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 12×12 deck cost?
A 12×12 deck, 144 square feet, costs about $3,600 to $7,200 installed in pressure-treated pine and $5,750 to $11,500 in composite, per HomeGuide’s 2026 prices. Building it yourself costs $2,000 to $4,000 in materials. Railing, stairs added later and a permit are usually extra, so ask whether each is in the quote.
Is a composite deck more expensive than wood per square foot?
Yes. HomeGuide puts composite at $40 to $80 per square foot installed against $25 to $50 for pressure-treated pine. Most of the gap is labor, $24 to $48 per square foot for composite versus $11 to $22 for pine. Composite skips yearly sealing and lasts 25 to 50 years, which narrows the difference over time.
How much does a 20×20 deck cost?
A 20×20 deck, 400 square feet, costs $10,000 to $20,000 installed in pressure-treated pine and $16,000 to $32,000 in composite, according to HomeGuide. LawnLove’s range for the same size is $6,000 to $20,000. Height matters as much as size: an elevated or second-story deck can cost twice as much per square foot as a ground-level one.
What is the labor cost per square foot to build a deck?
HomeGuide puts deck labor at $11 to $22 per square foot for a new pressure-treated pine deck and $13 to $25 when replacing an old one. Composite labor runs higher, $24 to $48 per square foot, because the boards need more careful assembly and often hidden fasteners. Labor typically costs more in urban areas where demand for deck builders is high.
Does a new deck add value to a home?
The 2025 Cost vs Value report estimated that a 16×20 wood deck costing $18,263 added $17,323 in resale value, about 95 percent of its cost. The composite version cost $25,096 and recouped 89 percent. These are national averages, so resale value in your market can differ, and a deck does not add to the home’s square footage.
Is it cheaper to build a deck yourself?
It can be. HomeGuide prices DIY materials for a 12×12 deck at $2,000 to $4,000, versus $3,600 to $7,200 installed. Tool purchases and rentals eat into the savings, and LawnLove warns that one mistake can cost more than you save. Small floating or ground-level decks are the most realistic DIY projects; elevated decks are not.
Sources
- HomeGuide, How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck? (written Feb 10, 2026; 2026 prices).
- HomeGuide, Composite Decking Cost (written Feb 10, 2026).
- HomeGuide, Deck Railing Cost (written Nov 28, 2023).
- HomeGuide, Deck Stairs Cost (written Sep 14, 2025).
- Journal of Light Construction, 2025 Cost vs Value Report: National Averages (June 2025).
- LawnLove, How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck? (updated Dec 27, 2025).
