How Much Does a Deck Cost?

How Much Does a Deck Cost in 2026?

A typical 300 sq ft residential deck in 2026 runs $7,500–$16,500 installed. Installed prices per square foot: pressure-treated wood $25–$35, cedar $30–$40, composite $35–$55, and aluminum $50–$70. The national average for a wood deck is about $9,000, while composite decks average $13,500. Wood decks recoup ~65% at resale — one of the best ROI outdoor projects.

Deck Cost by Material (installed, per sq ft)

What Drives Deck Costs

Material is the biggest factor — composite costs 40–60% more than pressure-treated wood but eliminates staining forever. Deck height adds significant cost: second-story decks need more framing, footings, and deck bracing (adds 30–50% over ground level). Railings run $40–$60 per linear foot for wood, $50–$80 for composite, and $70–$120 for aluminum/glass. Stairs cost $150–$250 per step. Extras like LED lighting ($400–$1,200), pergolas ($2,500–$5,000), and built-in seating ($800–$2,000) add up quickly. Permits typically run $100–$500.

Wood vs. Composite: Which Is Right for You?

Pressure-treated wood costs about 40% less upfront but needs staining and sealing every 2–3 years — roughly $300–$600 per treatment. Over 20 years, wood decks cost more in maintenance than composite decks cost in premiums. Composite never splinters, resists rot and insects, and comes with 25–30 year warranties, making it the better long-term value for most homeowners. If you're also planning a fence or other outdoor projects, building all at once saves labor mobilization fees. See the full picture with our home renovation cost calculator.

Deck Cost by Size (installed, pressure-treated wood)

Per-square-foot pricing usually drops 5–10% on larger decks because framing labor and mobilization spread across more area. Curved edges, herringbone patterns, and multi-level designs add 15–30% over the rectangular prices above.

Labor vs. Materials: What You're Actually Paying For

An installed deck bill has three parts: materials, labor, and site work (footings, permits, disposal). On a pressure-treated deck, materials account for roughly 35–40% of the total, labor 45–50%, and footings, permits and dumpster fees the remaining 10–15%. Composite flips the split — the boards themselves take 55–60% of the bill while labor share falls, because composite installs faster with hidden fasteners but at a higher material price.

Footings are the one line item people forget: concrete piers run $100–$200 each and a 300 sq ft deck typically needs 8–12 of them depending on soil and frost depth. Our concrete calculator sizes the pier volume before you buy a single bag of mix.

Deck Cost by Region (installed, per sq ft)

Winter quotes in cold states are often 5–10% lower because crews are competing for off-season work. Get at least three written bids and confirm each includes footings, permit pulling, and haul-away — a bid that skips those adds $1,000–$2,000 later.

DIY vs. Hiring a Contractor

Building the same 300 sq ft pressure-treated deck yourself costs roughly $2,000–$3,000 in materials versus $7,500–$10,500 installed — a 50–65% saving that trades for 40–80 hours of labor and real risk on the details that fail inspection. Ledger flashing against the house, footing depth below the frost line, and joist spacing at 16 inches on center are the three mistakes that cause water damage, heaving, and bouncy decks.

Municipalities almost always require a permit for an attached deck or any deck with stairs — even DIY — and the inspection will check footing depth before you bury them. Budget $100–$500 for the permit plus a plan drawing. If you take the contractor route, the cost side of the decision lives in our home renovation cost calculator; if you take the DIY route, start with the material list the calculator above produces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Data sources: HomeAdvisor True Cost Guide 2026, Angi 2026 Deck Construction Data, Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value 2026, Fixr 2026 Deck Cost Survey.