Deck building cost in the U.S.
New decks fall in the range below for typical residential sizes. Material is the dominant variable; rails, stairs, and footings are the rest.
Typical national range
$9,000
typical project
Most projects fall between $3,000 and $25,000.
Industry estimate from public-source pricing data. Local prices vary widely — see your metro area below.
Factors that move the price
- Material per sq ftPressure-treated pine: cheapest. Cedar: mid. Composite (Trex, TimberTech): higher but no annual sealing. PVC: highest, fully synthetic.
- Footings + foundationConcrete piers below frost line are non-negotiable in cold climates. Helical piles are an upgrade. Slope + soil type changes labor materially.
- Rails + stairsCable rail, aluminum balusters, and glass panels are 3-5× the cost of wood balusters. Stairs are 1.5-2× a square foot of deck. Multiple landings multiply both.
- Height + permitAnything over 30 inches off grade triggers a code-compliant rail and almost certainly a permit. Pergolas, built-in seating, and roofs are separate line items.
Browse by metro area
Prices in your area can run noticeably above or below the national number depending on labor costs, permitting, and material availability. Pick your metro for a localized range.
- Deck builder in New York, NY
- Deck builder in Los Angeles, CA
- Deck builder in Chicago, IL
- Deck builder in Dallas, TX
- Deck builder in Houston, TX
- Deck builder in Atlanta, GA
- Deck builder in Washington, DC
- Deck builder in Miami, FL
- Deck builder in Philadelphia, PA
- Deck builder in Phoenix, AZ
- Deck builder in Boston, MA
- Deck builder in Riverside, CA
- Deck builder in San Francisco, CA
- Deck builder in Detroit, MI
- Deck builder in Seattle, WA
- Deck builder in Minneapolis, MN
- Deck builder in Tampa, FL
- Deck builder in San Diego, CA
- Deck builder in Denver, CO
- Deck builder in Orlando, FL
- Deck builder in Charlotte, NC
- Deck builder in Baltimore, MD
- Deck builder in St. Louis, MO
- Deck builder in San Antonio, TX
- Deck builder in Austin, TX
- Deck builder in Portland, OR
- Deck builder in Sacramento, CA
- Deck builder in Pittsburgh, PA
- Deck builder in Las Vegas, NV
- Deck builder in Cincinnati, OH
- Deck builder in Kansas City, MO
- Deck builder in Columbus, OH
- Deck builder in Indianapolis, IN
- Deck builder in Nashville, TN
- Deck builder in Cleveland, OH
- Deck builder in San Jose, CA
- Deck builder in Virginia Beach, VA
- Deck builder in Jacksonville, FL
- Deck builder in Providence, RI
- Deck builder in Raleigh, NC
- Deck builder in Milwaukee, WI
- Deck builder in Oklahoma City, OK
- Deck builder in Louisville, KY
- Deck builder in Richmond, VA
- Deck builder in Memphis, TN
- Deck builder in Salt Lake City, UT
- Deck builder in Fresno, CA
- Deck builder in Birmingham, AL
- Deck builder in Grand Rapids, MI
- Deck builder in Hartford, CT
- Deck builder in Madison, WI
- Deck builder in Burlington, VT
- Deck builder in Glens Falls, NY
Get real quotes for your project
These ranges are useful for ballparking, but the only way to know what your specific project will cost is to get quotes from local contractors. Submit your project once and let them come to you.
Related guides
Common questions
- Is composite decking really worth the cost?
- Over 20 years, yes — no annual sanding, sealing, or board replacement. Up front, composite is ~1.5-2× the cost of pressure-treated pine.