Decking Cost Guide

Building a deck adds usable outdoor space, and HomeAdvisor prices the average project at $8,317, with composite material costing roughly four times more per square foot than pressure-treated wood. Unlike material cost, labor is priced the same per square foot regardless of which decking material you choose, according to HomeAdvisor — so material choice, not labor, is the main lever on total cost. Permits, railings, and stairs are priced separately from the deck surface itself and can add meaningfully to a raised or multi-level design. For a full sourced cost breakdown and a calculator by size and material, see our complete decking cost guide below.