About PaperPlan

Why PaperPlan exists

A deck is a substantial home-improvement decision that homeowners often make from a verbal description and a brochure. Contractors lose evenings to quotes that go nowhere; homeowners hesitate because they cannot picture the result on their own house.

PaperPlan gives that conversation a visual starting point: upload a backyard photo, explore deck concepts and share a preferred direction with a builder. The homeowner pack is a one-time purchase for one project.

How the renders work

PaperPlan uses AI image generation constrained to real products: Trex, TimberTech, AZEK, Fiberon, Deckorators, cedar, and pressure-treated pine, as visual references. The render starts from the customer's photo, but AI can change details and material colors are approximate. Check the result against the original photo and use physical samples before choosing a finish.

Renders are a sales and planning tool, not construction documents. For structure, spans, and permits, you still need a builder and your local code.

How we write our guides

The deck guides on this site follow three rules. First, brand neutrality: we sell software, not decking, so Trex, TimberTech, AZEK, and Fiberon get compared on their merits, unlike brand-owned design tools that only show their own boards.

Second, transparent estimates: cost figures are PaperPlan editorial planning allowances in US dollars for basic professionally installed US decks, not contractor-survey averages. Each cost guide links to sources and explains the model, inclusions, and exclusions. Local quotes may fall outside the ranges; Canadian projects need local pricing in CAD.

Third, fair comparisons: every page that compares PaperPlan to a competitor states plainly what the competitor does better. If a CAD-style designer is the right tool for your job, our comparison page will tell you so.

Who builds it

PaperPlan is built by Monty (Manpreet), founder, at Tinywave Labs. Every guide on this site is written and reviewed by the team that builds the product, the same name you see in the bylines.

Questions, feedback, or partnership ideas: [email protected]. We read everything.

Cost assumptions and sources

U.S. planning allowances in USD for a simple, single-level deck, including ordinary materials and contractor labor. These are PaperPlan editorial assumptions, not surveyed averages or a local quote.

• Pressure-treated: $25 – $40 / sq ft installed (USD)
• Composite: $45 – $70 / sq ft installed (USD)
• PVC: $60 – $90 / sq ft installed (USD)

Multiply deck area (width × length in feet) by the selected installed rate, then round each end of the range to the nearest $100.

Demolition, permits and engineering, taxes, stairs, railing, roofs, unusual foundations and difficult site access need separate quotes. Location, product selection and labor can put a real bid outside these ranges. Canadian projects need local CAD pricing.

The manufacturer sources below explain scope and cost drivers; they do not validate PaperPlan’s exact installed-rate bands. Supplier material estimates should not be compared directly with an installed project budget.

• Trex: deck material cost calculator: Estimates materials and explicitly excludes labor; prices vary with location, season and design.
• TimberTech: understanding deck costs: Separates decking, railing, labor and substructure, and explains the impact of site and project features.

Sources and assumptions reviewed 2026-09-09. Confirm the scope and current price with local contractors before budgeting a build.