Deck Quote Checker
Type in the price a contractor quoted, the deck's size, the decking material and what kind of deck it is. The checker works out the usual installed range for that deck on this site's deck cost model, adds tear-out if the old deck is coming off, and tells you whether the quote sits below, inside or above it — with the price per square foot and the questions worth asking before you sign.
Shopping for someone? See our backyard gift guide for deck builders & DIYers.
Worked example: four quotes for a 12 × 16 composite deck
A standard 192 sq ft composite deck with railings and one stair usually costs $8,294 – $10,598 on this site's model ($48/sq ft × 0.90–1.15). Here's how four bids compare:
| Quote | Per sq ft | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| $8,000 | $41.67 | A little below the usual range |
| $10,000 | $52.08 | Within the usual range |
| $12,000 | $62.50 | A little above the usual range |
| $15,000 | $78.13 | Well above the usual range — ask for a line-item breakdown |
Usual installed price per square foot
| Material | Simple ground-level | Standard (railings + 1 stair) | Elevated / multi-level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-Treated Pine | $17.82 – $22.77 | $19.80 – $25.30 | $23.76 – $30.36 |
| Cedar | $25.92 – $33.12 | $28.80 – $36.80 | $34.56 – $44.16 |
| Redwood | $30.78 – $39.33 | $34.20 – $43.70 | $41.04 – $52.44 |
| Composite (Trex/TimberTech) | $38.88 – $49.68 | $43.20 – $55.20 | $51.84 – $66.24 |
| PVC / Cellular | $46.98 – $60.03 | $52.20 – $66.70 | $62.64 – $80.04 |
| Ipe / Tropical Hardwood | $52.65 – $67.27 | $58.50 – $74.75 | $70.20 – $89.70 |
Replacing an old deck? Add about $4–$8 per sq ft for tear-out and a dumpster.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Is the permit, and the inspections, in the price?
- How big and how deep are the footings, and how is the ledger fastened and flashed?
- Which decking brand and line, and screws or hidden fasteners?
- What railing — wood, composite, aluminium or cable — and how many feet?
- Is disposal of the old deck, and clean-up, included?
- What's the payment schedule, and what does the labour warranty cover?
Build your own estimate line by line with the deck cost calculator, split out the labour with the deck labor cost calculator, price the railing with the deck railing cost calculator, and the tear-out with the deck removal cost calculator. Our guide on how to estimate a deck walks through a full take-off.
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Building something else? Try our sister calculators
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Frequently asked questions
- How do I know if a deck quote is fair?
- Divide the price by the deck's square footage and compare it with the usual installed range for that material and type of deck. On this site's model a standard deck with railings and one stair runs about $19.80–$25.30 per sq ft in pressure-treated pine, $43.20–$55.20 in composite and $52.20–$66.70 in PVC. A quote inside the range is normal; outside it, ask what's different.
- Is $12,000 a fair price for a 12x16 composite deck?
- Yes. A 12 × 16 ft deck is 192 sq ft; a standard composite deck with railings and one stair usually runs $8,294–$10,598 on this model, so $12,000 ($62.50 per sq ft) is about 27% above the mid-point — a little high, but normal for an elevated deck or a busy market. As a simple ground-level deck it would be well above the usual range.
- Why are deck quotes so different?
- Bids price different decks. One may include the permit, deeper footings, flashing tape on the joists, a picture-frame border and hidden fasteners; another may not. Height, access for materials, how busy builders are and the railing style move the price as much as the decking does. Ask every builder to split materials, labour, railings, stairs and permit.
- What should a deck quote include?
- Size and layout drawing, decking brand and line, framing lumber grade and joist spacing, footing size and depth, ledger attachment and flashing, railing and stair details, fasteners (screws or hidden clips), permit and inspections, tear-out and disposal, clean-up, timeline, payment schedule and the warranty on labour.
- How much does removing the old deck add to a quote?
- About $4 to $8 per square foot for demolition and a dumpster, so $770–$1,540 on a 192 sq ft deck. Use the deck removal cost calculator for a closer figure with height, footings and disposal.
