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.
What you'll need
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ShunHong Outdoor Solid Composite Decking Boards Color Samples Pack | Polymer Composite Decking for All Weather Use,Poolside,Backyard,Patio(3 Pcs, 0.5ft Color Samples)
$15.99
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VGBUY 90Pcs Deck Screws, #8#10 Wood Screws Assortment Kit, Heavy-Duty Exterior,Star Drive,Bronze (1-1/2",2",2-1/2",3"),T25 Star Bit
$9.99
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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
Save 28%
$18.05List Price:: $24.99
Treslam Outdoor Composite Decking Boards 96'' x 5.4'' x 0.9''(9-Pieces), Black Rigid Surface Hard Core, Easy DIY Flooring, with The Kit Stainless Steel Spiked Clips, Screws, and Edge Clips (Black)
$279.99
Check price on AmazonPrices and savings as of Oct 16, 2026, 5:33 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Shopping for someone? See our backyard gift guide for deck builders & DIYers.
2026 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.
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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.
