Cost to Build a Deck
The average cost to build a deck is $8,317, with most homeowners paying between $4,340 and $12,651 depending on size and material. Every figure on this page is sourced — see below.
What's included in the cost
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Deck permit | $230–$500 |
| Old deck demolition | $5–$15 per sq. ft. |
| Railings | $35–$210 per linear ft. |
| Steps | $25–$50 per step |
Cost by material (per square foot)
| Material | Material cost | Labor cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | $2–$5 | $15–$35 |
| Cedar | $3–$7 | $15–$35 |
| Composite | $12–$22 | $15–$35 |
Source: HomeAdvisor (updated June 17, 2026), which prices labor as a single $15–$35 per square foot range independent of material. Our calculator sums HomeAdvisor's material rate and labor rate transparently, since both figures come from the same source and neither is invented. For an independent check, Homewyse prices a fully installed wood deck at $11.51–$14.79 per square foot (May 2026) — a different methodology (one bundled installed rate rather than separate material and labor), but in the same order of magnitude as HomeAdvisor's combined wood figures above.
What affects the cost
- Material. Composite material costs roughly four times more per square foot than pressure-treated wood, per HomeAdvisor, though labor cost stays the same either way.
- Deck height and structure. A raised deck needs additional support posts and footings, which HomeAdvisor notes adds to both material and labor cost beyond the base square-foot rate.
- Railings and stairs. These are priced separately from the deck surface itself — $35 to $210 per linear foot for railings and $25 to $50 per step, per HomeAdvisor — and can meaningfully change the total for a multi-level or railed deck.
- Old deck removal. Replacing rather than adding a deck adds $5 to $15 per square foot in demolition cost.
Common mistakes to avoid
Don't compare deck quotes on material cost alone. Since HomeAdvisor prices labor the same regardless of material, a cheap material quote with unusually high labor (or vice versa) can end up costing the same as a straightforward composite quote — ask each contractor for material and labor broken out separately, the same way this page presents them.
Confirm footing depth and permit requirements before work starts, especially for a raised or multi-level deck. HomeAdvisor prices permits at $230 to $500 — inexpensive relative to the cost of correcting an inspection failure after the deck is built.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build a deck on average?
The average cost to build a deck is $8,317, with most homeowners paying between $4,340 and $12,651, according to HomeAdvisor (updated June 17, 2026).
How much does decking material cost per square foot?
Per HomeAdvisor, material alone runs $2 to $5 per square foot for pressure-treated wood, $3 to $7 for cedar, and $12 to $22 for composite. Labor is priced separately at $15 to $35 per square foot regardless of material. Homewyse's independent estimate for fully installed wood decking is $11.51 to $14.79 per square foot (May 2026); the two figures use different methodologies (material-plus-separate-labor versus a single installed rate) so they are not directly comparable, but both point to the same order of magnitude for a wood deck.
Is deck labor cost the same for every material?
According to HomeAdvisor's figures, yes: labor is quoted at a single $15 to $35 per square foot range regardless of decking material, while material cost itself varies significantly by material choice.
How much does a deck permit cost?
HomeAdvisor prices deck permits at $230 to $500.
How much does deck demolition cost?
HomeAdvisor prices removal of an existing deck at $5 to $15 per square foot.
How much do deck railings and stairs cost?
HomeAdvisor prices railings at $35 to $210 per linear foot and steps at $25 to $50 per step, both on top of the base deck cost.
Is composite decking worth the higher cost?
That depends on your priorities. Composite material costs $12 to $22 per square foot versus $2 to $5 for pressure-treated wood, per HomeAdvisor, but composite typically needs less ongoing staining and sealing than wood decking.
Related projects
Have a specific decking question, or think one of these numbers is out of date? Contact us and we'll look into it.