Cost to Build a Deck in Dallas, TX (2026)
In Dallas a 12×16 ft deck costs about $3,901 in pressure-treated pine and $8,731 in composite, installed — 4% below the US average. Below: local prices by size, footing depth, permits and a calculator priced for Dallas.
Pressure-treated pine
$18–$24 /sq ft
Cedar
$27–$35 /sq ft
Composite
$41–$53 /sq ft
Deck cost calculator for Dallas
Priced with Dallas labour, material and footing-depth factors. Change any input and the estimate updates.
Estimated installed cost
$7,683 – $10,041
192 sq ft · about $45.47/sq ft
- Materials
- $5,485
- Labour
- $3,246
- Footings (12 in deep)
- 3 × about $128
- Frost-depth adjustment
- −$115
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.
Dallas deck cost by size and material
Mid-range installed prices for a standard-height deck attached to the house, with footings at 12 inches. Add railing and stairs in the deck cost calculator.
| Deck size | Pressure-treated pine | Cedar | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft (100 sq ft) | $1,977 | $2,944 | $4,492 |
| 12 × 12 ft (144 sq ft) | $2,897 | $4,291 | $6,519 |
| 12 × 16 ft (192 sq ft) | $3,901 | $5,759 | $8,731 |
| 16 × 20 ft (320 sq ft) | $6,387 | $9,484 | $14,436 |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 sq ft) | $8,060 | $11,932 | $18,122 |
What makes a deck in Dallas cost what it does
Black gumbo clay swells and shrinks with rain and drought, and summer heat makes dark composite very hot.
Labour here runs 3% above the Texas average, so a pressure-treated 12×16 that averages $3,867 across Texas comes to about $3,901 in Dallas. Heat and UV across most of the state, expansive clay soils in Dallas, Houston and Austin, humidity on the Gulf and hard freezes in the Panhandle.
Footings
Footings in Dallas go about 12 inches deep, which costs roughly $128 per 12 inch footing installed. A 12×16 deck needs about 3. Size them with the deck footing calculator.
Deck permits in Dallas
Permits are issued by the City of Dallas Development Services. Dallas permits attached and elevated decks; engineers often call for deeper piers because of the clay. Typical fees run $150–$500. For the state rules that sit behind the local ones, see deck cost in Texas.
Choosing decking in Dallas
Composite adds about $4,830 to a 12×16 deck here over pressure-treated. Low labour and local pine keep pressure-treated cheap, though heat-mitigating composite is common in newer builds. Run the numbers for your deck in the composite vs wood calculator.
Best time to build
October to April.
Other Texas cities
- Houston — 12×16 composite about $8,699
- Austin — 12×16 composite about $8,888
- San Antonio — 12×16 composite about $8,510
Frequently asked questions
How much does a deck cost in Dallas?
A 12×16 ft deck in Dallas costs about $3,901 in pressure-treated pine, $5,759 in cedar and $8,731 in composite, installed. That is $18–$24 per square foot for pressure-treated and $41–$53 for composite.
Is building a deck in Dallas more expensive than elsewhere in Texas?
A typical deck in Dallas runs right in line with the Texas average and 4% below the US average, mainly because of local labour rates. Black gumbo clay swells and shrinks with rain and drought, and summer heat makes dark composite very hot.
Do I need a permit for a deck in Dallas?
Permits are issued by the City of Dallas Development Services. Dallas permits attached and elevated decks; engineers often call for deeper piers because of the clay. Budget roughly $150–$500 for the permit, more if drawings by a design professional are required.
How deep do deck footings have to be in Dallas?
About 12 inches. Each 12 inch footing at that depth costs roughly $128 installed, and a 12×16 deck needs about 3. Always confirm the required depth with the City of Dallas Development Services before digging — the footing inspection happens before any concrete goes in.
Should I choose composite or wood for a deck in Dallas?
Composite adds about $4,830 to a 12×16 deck in Dallas but removes staining every two to three years. Low labour and local pine keep pressure-treated cheap, though heat-mitigating composite is common in newer builds.
Price the rest of the project
Figures are planning estimates built from national installed prices adjusted for Texas and Dallas labour, materials and footing depth. Get two or three itemised local quotes. Method.