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Deck Cost Calculator

Estimate the cost of a new deck by size and material, then see how it could look on your own backyard before you sign anything.

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

Explore my deck ideas

US$19 once for 3 concepts and 2 refinements. Clean downloads, one project, no subscription. Generation starts after payment. See plans.

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

Why this page exists

Cost ranges by size

Look up installed cost for 10×10, 12×16, 16×20, and 20×24 decks in pressure-treated, composite, and PVC.

See it before you sign

Picture the finished deck on your own backyard photo so the number means something before you commit.

Built for contractors and homeowners

Homeowners use it for budget reality. Contractors use it to set expectations on the first call.

Material decisions in one view

Compare cedar, Trex, TimberTech, AZEK, and pressure-treated pine on the same photo before pricing locks in.

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.

Deck Cost Calculator

Deck cost depends on three things: square footage, material, and site conditions. Use the table below as an installed-cost starting point, then render the finished deck on the homeowner’s actual photo to anchor the conversation.

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

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.

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 accurate is this deck cost calculator?

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. 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.

What is the cheapest deck material?

Pressure-treated pine has the lowest allowance in this model at $25–$40 per square foot installed in USD. Compare actual local quotes and allow for ongoing cleaning, finishing and repair costs.

Why is composite decking more expensive than wood?

The board price, product line and labor all affect the difference. Composite avoids routine staining but still needs care. Whether maintenance savings offset the upfront cost depends on your quotes, upkeep costs and ownership period; this calculator does not establish a break-even year.

Can I see the deck before I commit?

Yes. PaperPlan creates AI deck concepts on a photo of your own backyard in the materials you choose, so you can judge the look before anyone prices the build. The Deck Ideas Pack is US$19 once for three concepts and two refinements.

Keep researching

  • Cost to Build a Deck in 2026: How much does it cost to build a deck in 2026? Installed cost ranges by size and material, plus the stairs, railing and site factors that change a quote.
  • 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.
  • 16×20 Deck Cost: A basic 16x20 deck costs about $8,000 – $12,800 installed in pressure-treated pine or $14,400 – $22,400 in composite. Framing, railing and a two-zone layout.
  • Composite Deck Cost in 2026: Composite deck cost in 2026: how Trex, TimberTech and Fiberon compare to pressure-treated wood per square foot installed, and what moves a quote up or down.
  • 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.
  • Deck Visualizer for Real Backyards: Visualize a deck on your own backyard photo. Compare wood, composite and PVC looks side by side with before and after. US$19 once, no subscription.

All deck planning guides