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Cost to Build a Deck in 2026

U.S. planning allowances in USD by size and material, plus the site factors that can move a local quote beyond the range. See the deck on your own photo before you collect quotes.

By Monty, Founder, PaperPlan · Updated September 29, 2026

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Contractor proposal with deck cost estimate next to a photorealistic deck render

Why this page exists

Installed cost, not just lumber

Ranges include materials and contractor labor, so you’re not surprised when the bid lands.

See the upgrade visually

See what an extra $4,000 in composite actually buys before you default to the cheapest option.

Catch budget killers early

Stairs, railing, raised builds, and demolition are where deck costs blow up. Quote those items separately from the base platform.

See it before you get quotes

A concept on your own photo shows what you are pricing, so the bids you collect are for the same deck.

How it works

  1. Show us your space. Upload a clear backyard photo. Tell us where the deck should go and what you want to change.
  2. Check your brief. Review your photo and choices, then buy your Deck Ideas Pack for US$19. No subscription.
  3. Compare and refine. Explore three concepts. Use your two remaining refinements to develop a favorite.
  4. Take the next step. Download clean images and compare before and after. Share your ideas with family or a builder.

Cost to Build a Deck in 2026

PaperPlan uses editorial allowances of $25–$90 per square foot in USD across the three material classes below. The table covers a simple deck platform with ordinary materials and labor; it does not quote all features of a finished project. See the assumptions and primary sources below.

Deck sizePressure-treatedCompositePVC
10×10 ft (100 sq ft)$2,500 – $4,000$4,500 – $7,000$6,000 – $9,000
12×16 ft (192 sq ft)$4,800 – $7,700$8,600 – $13,400$11,500 – $17,300
16×20 ft (320 sq ft)$8,000 – $12,800$14,400 – $22,400$19,200 – $28,800
20×24 ft (480 sq ft)$12,000 – $19,200$21,600 – $33,600$28,800 – $43,200

What moves the price

  • Pressure-treated pine. $25 – $40 / sq ft: the lowest starting allowance in this model. Obtain local material and labor prices.
  • Composite (Trex, Fiberon, TimberTech PRO). $45 – $70 / sq ft: an allowance for a composite platform, with product and labor costs to verify locally.
  • PVC / capped polymer (AZEK, TimberTech AZEK). $60 – $90 / sq ft: a separate PVC allowance. Product collection and local installation costs vary.
  • Raised deck (>3 ft). Get a separate structural and installation quote for the actual height, foundation conditions, stairs and railing.
  • Stairs. Price the measured rise, run, width, landings and required railing separately.
  • Demolition of an old deck. Ask for removal and disposal as an explicit line item; condition and access affect the price.
  • Premium railing (cable, glass, aluminum). All railing is outside the platform allowance. Quote the chosen system by its measured length, corners and posts.
  • Permits and engineering. Check fees and required drawings with your local authority and design professional.

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.

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

Common questions

How much does it cost to build a 12x16 deck?

Roughly $4,800–$7,700 in pressure-treated pine, $8,600–$13,400 in composite, and $11,500–$17,300 in PVC, installed. These are U.S. platform allowances in USD; stairs, railing, covers and elevated framing need separate quotes.

Is it cheaper to build a deck or a patio?

A ground-level concrete or paver patio usually costs less per square foot than a wood deck, but a deck wins on raised lots, sloped yards, or anywhere you need a level surface above grade.

How much does labor cost to build a deck?

Labor varies by location, site and scope. Trex’s calculator excludes labor, while TimberTech’s cost guide separates labor and substructure from decking. Ask contractors to identify those items rather than treating a supplier materials estimate as an installed quote.

Why do contractors quote so differently?

They’re estimating from different assumptions. PaperPlan lets contractors render the finished deck on the actual yard, which makes the scope concrete and the bids comparable.

Keep researching

  • Deck Cost Calculator: Free deck cost calculator. Estimate a new deck by size and material and compare pressure-treated, composite and PVC installed cost ranges for 2026.
  • 10×10 Deck Cost: A basic 10x10 deck costs about $2,500 – $4,000 installed in pressure-treated pine or $4,500 – $7,000 in composite. What fits on 100 sq ft and permit basics.
  • 12×16 Deck Cost: A basic 12x16 deck costs about $4,800 – $7,700 installed in pressure-treated pine or $8,600 – $13,400 in composite. Quantities, permits and what fits.
  • 20×20 Deck Cost: A basic 20x20 deck costs about $10,000 – $16,000 installed in pressure-treated pine or $18,000 – $28,000 in composite. Framing, layout zones and add-on costs.
  • Composite vs Wood Deck: Compare composite and wood deck planning costs, maintenance needs and ownership trade-offs, then visualize both materials on your own backyard photo.
  • Deck Material Calculator: Deck material calculator: estimate decking boards, joists, posts, hidden fasteners and railing for any deck size, with the math and waste factor shown.

All deck planning guides