Deck building costs $4,341 to $14,000 per job in 2026
Deck building costs $4,341 to $14,000 per job in 2026. NerdWallet, using Angi data, gives a national average of $8,246 and a typical range of $4,341 to $12,586. Inch Calculator lists $4,400 to $12,000. Most pros charge $25 to $60 per square foot for materials and labor. Size, material and site work move the price more than anything else, so get a few quotes.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| NerdWallet | NerdWallet, citing Angi, lists a national average of $8,246 and a typical range of $4,341 to $12,586, or $30 to $60 per square foot. |
| Inch Calculator | Inch Calculator lists a typical range of $4,400 to $12,000, a national average of $8,000 and $30 to $60 per square foot. |
| Upstart | Upstart lists $5,000 to $12,000 for a 200 square foot deck and $25 to $60 per square foot, citing HomeGuide. |
| Advantage Lumber | Advantage Lumber lists $8,000 to $14,000 for a professionally built deck and $25 to $60 per square foot for basic builds. |
Deck building price by material and size
| Material or size | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure treated wood, installed | $25 to $40 per sq ft | Upstart |
| Cedar, installed | $30 to $50 per sq ft | Upstart |
| Composite, installed | $40 to $65 per sq ft | Upstart |
| Hardwood (ipe), installed | $50 to $85 per sq ft | Upstart |
| 12 by 12 deck | $5,760 to $8,640 | NerdWallet |
| 14 by 20 deck | $11,200 to $16,800 | NerdWallet |
| 20 by 20 deck | $16,000 to $24,000 | NerdWallet |
| 200 square foot deck | $5,000 to $12,000 | Upstart |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Size | A 12 by 12 deck runs $5,760 to $8,640, while a 20 by 20 deck runs $16,000 to $24,000, says NerdWallet. Bigger decks cost more in total. |
| Material | Installed pressure treated wood is $25 to $40 per square foot. Composite is $40 to $65 and ipe hardwood is $50 to $85, says Upstart. |
| Labor | Labor is $15 to $35 per square foot, or 50% to 60% of the total, according to Upstart. Hard sites take more time. |
| Extras | Inch Calculator lists stairs at $1,000 to $2,000, old deck removal at $500 to $1,000, and permits at $225 to $500. |
| Height and design | A raised deck, many levels or custom railings cost more. Advantage Lumber lists premium builds at $40 to $80 per square foot. |
What the price includes
Most quotes cover framing, footings, decking boards, railings and labor. Stairs, permits, old deck removal, lighting and stain often cost extra. Inch Calculator lists permits at $225 to $500 and removal at $500 to $1,000. Ask for a written quote that lists each item. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
A simple deck can be a DIY job if you have tools and time. Upstart says a budget deck can cost under $1,000 for a small project, or about $1,500 for a 16 by 16 pressure treated deck. Hiring a pro costs $15 to $35 per square foot for labor, says NerdWallet. A pro knows local code, footings and permits, and permits run $225 to $500 on Inch Calculator. Hire a pro for a raised deck, a deck on a house or any deck that needs an inspection.
How to tell you need it
You may need a new deck if your old one has soft or rotten boards, loose railings or wobbly stairs. Rusty nails and cracked posts are also warning signs. If you have no outdoor space, a new deck can add a place to sit and eat. Pressing a screwdriver into a board is a simple test. If it sinks in, the wood is rotting.
How to judge your quote
- Ask for the price per square foot and the total size.
- Ask if stairs, railings and permits are in the quote.
- Ask which decking material and brand is priced.
- Ask who removes the old deck and what that costs.
- Compare the total with the range above: $4,341 to $14,000 per job for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Choose pressure treated wood to start. Installed it runs $25 to $40 per square foot, against $40 to $65 for composite.
- Build smaller or keep the deck low to the ground. Total price rises fast with size and height.
- Get three written quotes. Make sure each one lists stairs, railings, permits and removal of any old deck.
- Build in the off season when contractors are less busy, and ask about a lower price for a simple design.
- Do part of the work yourself. A simple 16 by 16 pressure treated deck can cost about $1,500 in materials, says Upstart.
Why this costs more in 2026
Trade labor now runs about $75 to $150 an hour in most of the US. Lumber, steel, copper, PVC and concrete all cost more than in 2024, and freight went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Wood and composite boards, plus skilled labor, still make up most of the bill, and Advantage Lumber lists premium builds at $40 to $80 per square foot in 2026.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from NerdWallet, Inch Calculator, Upstart and Advantage Lumber. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does it cost to build a deck?
NerdWallet lists a national average of $8,246 and a typical range of $4,341 to $12,586. Advantage Lumber lists $8,000 to $14,000.
How much is a deck per square foot?
NerdWallet and Inch Calculator list $30 to $60 per square foot. Upstart and Advantage Lumber list $25 to $60. It covers materials and labor.
How much does a 20 by 20 deck cost?
NerdWallet lists $16,000 to $24,000 for a 20 by 20 deck. Advantage Lumber lists about $16,000 at $40 per square foot.
Is composite decking worth the cost?
Upstart lists composite at $40 to $65 per square foot installed, against $25 to $40 for pressure treated wood. It costs more up front.
What does labor cost for a deck?
Upstart and NerdWallet list labor at $15 to $35 per square foot. Upstart says labor is 50% to 60% of the total price.