Deck Cost Per Square Foot Calculator
See what a deck actually costs per square foot in 2026 — by material, by build type, and by region. Switch between DIY material-only pricing and full contractor-installed pricing.
Recommended products for this project
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.
Outdoor Solid Composite Decking Boards 96"x5.43"x1", Polymer Composite Decking for All Weather Use,Poolside,Backyard,Patio(6 Pcs,Redwood and Maple,21.72sqft)
View on Amazon
8 Pcs ABS Deck Spacer Tool, 4 Thicknesses Deck Board Spacers (1/16", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4") for Pressure Treated Lumber, Composite Decking, PVC & Hardwood Boards
View on Amazon
Ultimate Guide: Decks, Updated 6th Edition: Plan, Design, Build (Creative Homeowner) DIY Your Own Deck - Expert Installation Tips, Building Techniques, Step-by-Step Instructions, and Over 700 Photos
View on Amazon
Outdoor Solid Composite Decking Boards 96"x5.43"x1", Polymer Composite Decking for All Weather Use,Poolside,Backyard,Patio(6 Pcs,Rosewood and Light Grey,21.72sqft)
View on Amazon2026 deck cost per square foot, by material
Per-square-foot pricing is the fastest way to sanity-check a contractor quote, but only if you compare apples to apples. The numbers below are fully installed costs including framing, footings, standard hardware, one stair run, and code-required railing — the scope most contractors bid. Material-only DIY pricing is roughly 40-50% of these figures.
| Material | DIY material / sq ft | Installed / sq ft | 12 × 16 deck installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $8-$11 | $20-$26 | $3,840-$4,992 |
| Cedar | $12-$16 | $28-$36 | $5,376-$6,912 |
| Redwood | $15-$19 | $34-$44 | $6,528-$8,448 |
| Composite | $17-$22 | $38-$52 | $7,296-$9,984 |
| PVC / cellular | $22-$28 | $46-$62 | $8,832-$11,904 |
| Ipe / tropical hardwood | $26-$32 | $52-$70 | $9,984-$13,440 |
Cost by deck size
Small decks cost more per square foot than large ones, and the reason is fixed cost. Mobilization, permit fees, footing layout, delivery minimums, and a crew's first day don't shrink when the deck does. Expect a 10x10 deck to run about 15% higher per square foot than a 16x20 built from identical materials — and a deck over 450 square feet to come in about 10% below the mid-range figure.
| Deck size | Area | PT installed | Composite installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 | 100 sq ft | $2,600-$3,200 | $4,800-$6,200 |
| 12 × 12 | 144 sq ft | $3,200-$3,900 | $5,500-$6,800 |
| 12 × 16 | 192 sq ft | $3,900-$5,000 | $7,300-$10,000 |
| 16 × 20 | 320 sq ft | $6,100-$7,900 | $11,500-$15,800 |
| 20 × 20 | 400 sq ft | $7,300-$9,400 | $13,900-$18,700 |
Labor versus material split
On a contractor-built deck, labor is typically 35-45% of the total — $12-$18 per square foot for a ground-level build and $22-$32 per square foot when the deck is elevated, multi-level, or wrapped around obstacles. Watch for two red flags in a quote: labor above 55% of the total (the framing spec is probably thin), or a total more than 25% under the ranges above (almost always undersized footings or joists).
Where region changes everything
Identical decks vary by 40% across the country. The South and Midwest run about 12% below national average on labor; the Mountain West and Mid-Atlantic sit 15% above; Northeast metros and the West Coast run 30% above. Frost depth matters too — a 48-inch footing in Minnesota uses three times the concrete of an 18-inch footing in Georgia. Compare your number against the full deck cost guide and price the material list with the deck material calculator.
Get the Smart Decking Calculator app
Estimate decks on the go, save projects, and share with contractors.
Building something else? Try our sister calculators
Smart Fencing Calculator
Estimate fence cost by material and linear footage.
Smart Roofing Calculator
Free roof replacement cost estimates by material.
Smart Drywall Calculator
Android app — drywall sheets, mud, and tape estimates.
Smart Fencing Calculator
Android app — fence cost estimates on the go.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a deck cost per square foot in 2026?
- Pressure-treated runs $20-$26 per square foot installed, cedar $28-$36, composite $38-$52, PVC $46-$62, and ipe $52-$70. DIY material-only pricing is roughly 40-50% of the installed figure.
- How much does it cost to build a 12x12 deck?
- A 144 sq ft deck costs about $3,200-$3,900 installed in pressure-treated, $5,500-$6,800 in composite, and $1,400-$1,900 as a DIY pressure-treated build.
- What is the labor cost to build a deck per square foot?
- Labor alone runs $12-$18 per square foot for a ground-level deck and $22-$32 per square foot for elevated or multi-level decks. Labor is typically 35-45% of a contractor's total.
- Why do small decks cost more per square foot?
- Fixed costs — mobilization, permits, footing setup, delivery, minimum material purchases — don't shrink with the deck. A 10x10 deck can run 15% more per square foot than a 16x20 with identical materials.
- Is composite decking worth the extra cost per square foot?
- Composite costs about $18 more per square foot up front but eliminates staining every 2-3 years. Over 25 years the total cost of ownership is close to identical; composite wins if you value the time savings.
