How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck? (2026)
A new deck costs $15 to $35 per square foot for pressure-treated wood, or $25 to $60 per square foot for composite — installed. Here is the complete cost breakdown by material, size, and approach.
| Cost Level | Per Sq Ft (Installed) | 200 Sq Ft Deck | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | $15–$25 | $3,000–$5,000 | Pressure-treated wood, basic railing, ground level |
| Mid | $25–$40 | $5,000–$8,000 | Composite decking, aluminum railing, stairs |
| High | $40–$60+ | $8,000–$12,000+ | Premium composite (Trex, TimberTech), cable railing, multi-level, built-in seating |
Material Cost Breakdown
Decking materials fall into three tiers. Understanding the per-board and per-square-foot costs helps you budget realistically.
Decking boards — pressure-treated wood: $2 to $4 per sq ft. A standard 5/4x6 pressure-treated board (16 feet) costs $12 to $22. For a 200 sq ft deck, budget $400 to $800 for decking boards. Add 10% to 15% for waste (more with angled patterns). Use our deck board calculator to get an exact board count for your dimensions.
Decking boards — composite: $6 to $12 per sq ft. A 16-foot composite board runs $30 to $65 depending on brand and quality tier. Budget $1,200 to $2,400 for a 200 sq ft deck surface. Premium brands like Trex Transcend or TimberTech Vintage are at the high end; budget lines like Trex Enhance are more affordable.
Framing lumber: $3 to $6 per sq ft of deck area. This covers joists (typically 2x8 or 2x10 on 16-inch centers), beams, ledger board, and rim joists. Framing is always pressure-treated lumber regardless of whether the decking is wood or composite. For a 200 sq ft deck: $600 to $1,200.
Concrete footings: $15 to $40 per footing (hole + concrete + post bracket). A 200 sq ft deck typically needs 6 to 9 footings, costing $90 to $360 total. Our post hole calculator will give you the exact number of concrete bags per footing.
Hardware and fasteners: Joist hangers ($2 to $4 each, 12 to 20 per deck), post brackets ($6 to $12 each), lag bolts for ledger ($1 to $3 each), and deck screws ($40 to $80 per 5 lb box, needing 2 to 4 boxes). Budget $200 to $500 total.
Railing: $20 to $60 per linear foot installed. A 200 sq ft deck needs roughly 40 to 50 linear feet of railing — $800 to $3,000. Wood railing is cheapest ($20 to $35 per foot), aluminum or composite railing is mid-range ($35 to $50), and cable railing is premium ($50 to $80 per foot).
Labor Costs: DIY vs Contractor
DIY cost: Materials only, typically $8 to $20 per sq ft for wood or $14 to $30 for composite (including framing, footings, hardware, and railing). A 200 sq ft deck runs $1,600 to $6,000 in materials. Budget 3 to 6 weekends for construction. You will need a circular saw, drill/driver, level, post hole digger (or auger rental at $50 to $100/day), and a helper.
Contractor cost: $15 to $60 per sq ft all-in. Labor alone accounts for $8 to $20 per sq ft. A professional crew can build a 200 sq ft deck in 3 to 5 days. Get three quotes and verify each includes the same scope — some contractors quote the platform only and charge extra for stairs, railing, and permits.
Regional Price Variation
Deck building costs vary by 20% to 35% across North America. Lumber prices fluctuate more than most building materials — pressure-treated lumber was $2 per linear foot in 2019, spiked to $6+ during 2021-2022, and has stabilized at $2.50 to $4 in 2024-2026. Labor rates vary significantly: $15 to $25 per sq ft in the Southeast and Midwest, $25 to $40+ per sq ft in the Northeast, California, and Pacific Northwest. Winter builds (in regions with mild winters) can save 10% to 15% since contractors have more availability.
Calculate Your Exact Materials
Deck projects have many components — boards, framing, fasteners, and concrete. Our deck board calculator gives you exact board counts with waste factors for your deck dimensions and board size. For footings, our post hole calculator tells you exactly how many concrete bags you need per post. Together, they give you a materials list you can price out at your local lumber yard.