Cost to Build a Deck in Boston, MA (2026)
In Boston a 12×16 ft deck costs about $5,528 in pressure-treated pine and $11,267 in composite, installed — 23% above the US average. Below: local prices by size, footing depth, permits and a calculator priced for Boston.
Pressure-treated pine
$24–$32 /sq ft
Cedar
$35–$46 /sq ft
Composite
$51–$66 /sq ft
Deck cost calculator for Boston
Priced with Boston labour, material and footing-depth factors. Change any input and the estimate updates.
Estimated installed cost
$9,915 – $12,957
192 sq ft · about $58.68/sq ft
- Materials
- $6,843
- Labour
- $4,424
- Footings (48 in deep)
- 3 × about $244
- Frost-depth adjustment
- +$230
Mid-range estimate for a rectangular deck attached to the house, with one beam line per 12 ft of depth and footings every 8 ft. Excludes demolition, permits and site work. For railing, stairs and a full line-item breakdown use the main deck cost calculator.
Boston deck cost by size and material
Mid-range installed prices for a standard-height deck attached to the house, with footings at 48 inches. Add railing and stairs in the deck cost calculator.
| Deck size | Pressure-treated pine | Cedar | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft (100 sq ft) | $2,990 | $4,231 | $5,979 |
| 12 × 12 ft (144 sq ft) | $4,204 | $5,992 | $8,508 |
| 12 × 16 ft (192 sq ft) | $5,528 | $7,912 | $11,267 |
| 16 × 20 ft (320 sq ft) | $9,444 | $13,417 | $19,009 |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 sq ft) | $11,651 | $16,618 | $23,607 |
What makes a deck in Boston cost what it does
Triple-decker porches and tight urban lots; heavy snow and freeze-thaw.
Labour here runs 8% above the Massachusetts average, so a pressure-treated 12×16 that averages $5,246 across Massachusetts comes to about $5,528 in Boston. Cold, snowy winters with repeated freeze-thaw, and salt spray on the Cape and islands.
Footings
Footings in Boston go about 48 inches deep, which costs roughly $244 per 12 inch footing installed. A 12×16 deck needs about 3. Size them with the deck footing calculator.
Deck permits in Boston
Permits are issued by the Boston Inspectional Services Department. Footings go 48 inches deep; porch and deck work on multi-family buildings has strict egress and structural requirements. Typical fees run $300–$1,000. For the state rules that sit behind the local ones, see deck cost in Massachusetts.
Choosing decking in Boston
Composite adds about $5,739 to a 12×16 deck here over pressure-treated. Among the highest labour rates in the country, so paying once for low-maintenance boards usually wins. Run the numbers for your deck in the composite vs wood calculator.
Best time to build
May to October.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a deck cost in Boston?
A 12×16 ft deck in Boston costs about $5,528 in pressure-treated pine, $7,912 in cedar and $11,267 in composite, installed. That is $24–$32 per square foot for pressure-treated and $51–$66 for composite.
Is building a deck in Boston more expensive than elsewhere in Massachusetts?
A typical deck in Boston runs 4% above the Massachusetts average and 23% above the US average, mainly because of local labour rates. Triple-decker porches and tight urban lots; heavy snow and freeze-thaw.
Do I need a permit for a deck in Boston?
Permits are issued by the Boston Inspectional Services Department. Footings go 48 inches deep; porch and deck work on multi-family buildings has strict egress and structural requirements. Budget roughly $300–$1,000 for the permit, more if drawings by a design professional are required.
How deep do deck footings have to be in Boston?
About 48 inches. Each 12 inch footing at that depth costs roughly $244 installed, and a 12×16 deck needs about 3. Always confirm the required depth with the Boston Inspectional Services Department before digging — the footing inspection happens before any concrete goes in.
Should I choose composite or wood for a deck in Boston?
Composite adds about $5,739 to a 12×16 deck in Boston but removes staining every two to three years. Among the highest labour rates in the country, so paying once for low-maintenance boards usually wins.
Price the rest of the project
Figures are planning estimates built from national installed prices adjusted for Massachusetts and Boston labour, materials and footing depth. Get two or three itemised local quotes. Method.