That's our range for a new pressure-treated wood deck, built by a contractor, with a typical price of about $45 per sq ft. A 16×20 ft deck (320 sq ft) typically costs about $14,400. Composite typically runs about $54 per sq ft, or $17,300 for the same deck.
Estimate Our range, based on sources [1][2][3]. Planning numbers, not quotes. Height, stairs and railing move the price most.
Deck cost: wood vs. composite
Decking material is the first big choice. Pressure-treated wood costs less up front; composite costs more but skips the yearly staining. Both usually sit on a pressure-treated frame.
| Decking | Per sq ft Estimate | 16×20 ft deck Estimate | Typical Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | $34 – $54 | $10,900 – $17,300 | $14,400 |
| Composite | $40 – $69 | $12,800 – $22,100 | $17,300 |
Estimate Our range, based on sources [1][2][3]. For each tier we pooled the low, midpoint and high figure each source publishes for a comparable scope (a single benchmark figure counts once), then used the median as Typical and the middle half of the pooled figures as Low–High. Angi's general per-sq-ft deck range was used for wood and its installed composite range for composite. Cost vs. Value's 16×20 ft benchmarks, which include stairs, railing, a bench and a planter, were divided by 320 sq ft. See How we build our ranges.
By deck size Estimate
| Size | Sq ft | Pressure-treated wood Estimate | Composite Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 ft | 100 | $3,400 – $5,400 | $4,000 – $6,900 |
| 12×12 ft | 144 | $4,900 – $7,800 | $5,800 – $9,900 |
| 12×16 ft | 192 | $6,500 – $10,400 | $7,700 – $13,200 |
| 16×20 ft | 320 | $10,900 – $17,300 | $12,800 – $22,100 |
| 20×20 ft | 400 | $13,600 – $21,600 | $16,000 – $27,600 |
Our per-sq-ft ranges times the area. Very small decks often cost more per square foot because stairs, permits and setup don't shrink with the deck.
What the sources say Sourced
HomeGuide puts a new deck at $25 to $50 per sq ft installed, and composite at $40 to $80.[1] Angi's 2026 average deck project is $8,320, with most between $4,339 and $12,652.[2] The 2025 Cost vs. Value report prices a 16×20 ft deck with stairs, railing, a bench and a planter at $18,263 in pressure-treated wood and $25,096 in composite.[3]
Line-item breakdown: 16×20 ft wood deck Estimate
Here's how we'd build a bid for a 320 sq ft pressure-treated deck attached to the house, a few steps off the ground, with stairs and a railing on three sides. Check that every bid covers footings, ledger flashing, stairs, railing and the permit.
| Line item | How we priced it | Amount Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Framing lumber, footings, hardware and decking, pressure-treated, 320 sq ft Materials | Midpoint of HomeGuide's $14–$28 per sq ft materials range for a new pressure-treated deck[1] | $6,720 |
| Layout, dig and pour 9 footings Labor | 16 hrs × $22.66/hr median wage for construction laborers[4] × 1.7 labor burden | $620 |
| Ledger and flashing, framing and deck boards (2 carpenters, about 5 days) Labor | 80 hrs × $29.12/hr median wage for carpenters[4] × 1.7 labor burden | $3,960 |
| Railing, about 52 linear ft Installed price | Midpoint of HomeGuide's per-foot range for wood or vinyl railing[1] × 52 ft | $2,080 |
| Stairs, three steps to grade Installed price | Midpoint of HomeGuide's installed deck-stairs range[1] | $2,000 |
| Cleanup and haul-away Labor | 6 hrs × $22.66/hr median wage for construction laborers[4] × 1.7 labor burden | $230 |
| Auger and mixer rental, disposal Materials | Our allowance | $350 |
| Permit Fee | Our blended typical from HomeGuide's and Angi's permit ranges[1][2] | $190 |
| Overhead & profit Our assumption | 20% on the labor and materials lines above. Installed prices and fees already include the installer's margin, so we don't mark them up again. | $2,380 |
| Line-item total | Before contingency and regional adjustment | $18,500 |
Estimate Our line-item build comes to $18,500, within 1% of our blended typical of $18,500 for the same deck (our wood rate plus HomeGuide's stairs and railing midpoints). Taller decks, deeper frost footings, built-ins and composite boards push real bids higher. Method: How we build our ranges.
Remodel Budget Starter
A free one-page budget sheet with a built-in contingency row. Price your deck, then hold every bid to the same scope: footings, framing, decking, railing, stairs and permit.
Get it freeWhat drives the cost up or down
Height off the ground
A low deck needs short posts and maybe no railing. A second-story deck needs tall posts, bigger footings, bracing and staging. HomeGuide's second-story rates run about 1.38 times its elevated-deck rates,[1] which is the factor our calculator uses. Estimate
Decking material
Composite and hardwood boards cost more than pressure-treated pine, and hidden fasteners add labor. The frame underneath is usually pressure-treated either way.
Footings and frost depth
Footings must go below the frost line, so cold climates need deeper holes and more concrete. Rocky or sloped lots add digging time.
Replacing an old deck
HomeGuide's replacement rates run $5 per sq ft above its new-build rates, and it says to allow 1 to 2 extra days for demolition.[1] Our calculator adds that difference when you choose replacement.
Contingency Estimate
Hitting rock, a buried line or a rotten rim joist where the ledger attaches are the usual surprises. A 10% cushion is a sensible planning choice. That's our guidance.
Regional cost differences
Our exterior cost index for each Census division is applied here to our typical 16×20 ft wood deck.
| Region (Census division) | Our cost index Estimate | Typical wood deck, 320 sq ft Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| New England CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT | 1.02 2% above U.S. | $14,700 |
| Middle Atlantic NJ, NY, PA | 1.15 15% above U.S. | $16,600 |
| South Atlantic DE, DC, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV | 0.96 4% below U.S. | $13,800 |
| U.S. average | 1.00 | $14,400 |
| East North Central IL, IN, MI, OH, WI | 1.01 1% above U.S. | $14,500 |
| East South Central AL, KY, MS, TN | 0.90 10% below U.S. | $13,000 |
| West North Central IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD | 1.01 1% above U.S. | $14,500 |
| West South Central AR, LA, OK, TX | 0.91 9% below U.S. | $13,100 |
| Mountain AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, WY | 0.97 3% below U.S. | $14,000 |
| Pacific AK, CA, HI, OR, WA | 1.05 5% above U.S. | $15,100 |
Estimate Derived, not published. Our exterior index divides each division's 2025 Cost vs. Value average for six exterior projects (vinyl and fiber-cement siding, vinyl and wood windows, wood and composite decks) by the national average and averages the six ratios.[3] The typical column multiplies our national typical by the index. See How we build our ranges.
Deck cost FAQ
Is a composite deck worth the extra cost?
It depends on how long you'll stay and how much upkeep you'll do. HomeGuide lists wood decks at 10 to 25 years and composite at 25 to 50.[1] Angi suggests budgeting about $700 to $1,600 a year to power wash and reseal a wood deck.[2] At resale, the 2025 Cost vs. Value wood deck recouped about 95% of its cost and the composite deck about 89%.[3]
How much does a 12×12 deck cost?
By our ranges, about $4,900 – $7,800 in pressure-treated wood and $5,800 – $9,900 in composite, before stairs and railing.[1][2][3]
Do I need a permit to build a deck?
Usually, especially for attached or raised decks. Angi notes some places don't require one for a small deck (under 200 sq ft) that's low and not attached to the house, and puts permits at $230 to $500;[2] HomeGuide lists $50 to $150.[1] Check with your building department first.
How long does it take to build a deck?
HomeGuide estimates at least 5 to 7 days for a simple ground-level deck of 100 to 300 sq ft, and 2 to 4 weeks for an elevated deck over 300 sq ft, plus time for the permit.[1]
Can I build a deck myself to save money?
Labor is a big share of the price: HomeGuide puts it at $11 to $22 per sq ft for a new deck.[1] Simple, low, freestanding decks are the most DIY-friendly. Attached and raised decks carry real structural risk, so many owners hire out at least the footings, ledger and framing.
Related cost guides
Sources
- HomeGuide, “How much does it cost to build a deck?” (updated Feb 10, 2026). homeguide.com/costs/cost-to-build-a-deck (accessed Oct 8, 2026).
- Angi, “How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck? [2026 Data]” (updated Sep 24, 2026). angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-build-deck.htm (accessed Oct 8, 2026).
- Zonda / Journal of Light Construction, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report: national averages, project descriptions for the wood and composite deck additions and regional pages (New England, Middle Atlantic, South Atlantic, East North Central, East South Central, West North Central, West South Central, Mountain, Pacific) (accessed Oct 8, 2026). © 2025 Zonda Media. We quote a few national figures and use the regional figures only to derive our own cost index. States per division from the U.S. Census Bureau, Census Regions and Divisions.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 national median hourly wages by occupation, retrieved through the BLS Public Data API. bls.gov/oes (accessed Oct 8, 2026).
Quoted figures are labeled Sourced. Everything labeled Estimate is our own arithmetic on these sources, explained in How we build our ranges. Planning numbers only, not quotes. Get itemized local bids before you commit.