Cost to Build a Deck in Denver, CO (2026)
In Denver a 12×16 ft deck costs about $4,708 in pressure-treated pine and $9,972 in composite, installed — 8% above the US average. Below: local prices by size, footing depth, permits and a calculator priced for Denver.
Pressure-treated pine
$21–$28 /sq ft
Cedar
$30–$40 /sq ft
Composite
$45–$59 /sq ft
Deck cost calculator for Denver
Priced with Denver labour, material and footing-depth factors. Change any input and the estimate updates.
Estimated installed cost
$8,775 – $11,468
192 sq ft · about $51.94/sq ft
- Materials
- $6,111
- Labour
- $3,861
- Footings (36 in deep)
- 3 × about $205
- 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.
Denver deck cost by size and material
Mid-range installed prices for a standard-height deck attached to the house, with footings at 36 inches. Add railing and stairs in the deck cost calculator.
| Deck size | Pressure-treated pine | Cedar | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft (100 sq ft) | $2,507 | $3,561 | $5,249 |
| 12 × 12 ft (144 sq ft) | $3,559 | $5,077 | $7,508 |
| 12 × 16 ft (192 sq ft) | $4,708 | $6,731 | $9,972 |
| 16 × 20 ft (320 sq ft) | $7,961 | $11,334 | $16,735 |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 sq ft) | $9,875 | $14,090 | $20,842 |
What makes a deck in Denver cost what it does
Strong UV, hail and freeze-thaw cycles; wood dries and checks quickly.
Labour here runs 8% above the Colorado average, so a pressure-treated 12×16 that averages $4,484 across Colorado comes to about $4,708 in Denver. High-altitude UV, big daily temperature swings, hail and heavy mountain snow. Wood dries, checks and greys fast in the thin air.
Footings
Footings in Denver go about 36 inches deep, which costs roughly $205 per 12 inch footing installed. A 12×16 deck needs about 3. Size them with the deck footing calculator.
Deck permits in Denver
Permits are issued by the Denver Community Planning & Development. Denver requires footings 36 inches deep and permits for most attached decks; zoning limits how close to lot lines a deck can go. Typical fees run $200–$700. For the state rules that sit behind the local ones, see deck cost in Colorado.
Choosing decking in Denver
Composite adds about $5,264 to a 12×16 deck here over pressure-treated. UV and freeze-thaw punish wood, so the maintenance savings on composite arrive sooner than the national break-even suggests. Run the numbers for your deck in the composite vs wood calculator.
Best time to build
May to October; footings cannot go into frozen ground.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a deck cost in Denver?
A 12×16 ft deck in Denver costs about $4,708 in pressure-treated pine, $6,731 in cedar and $9,972 in composite, installed. That is $21–$28 per square foot for pressure-treated and $45–$59 for composite.
Is building a deck in Denver more expensive than elsewhere in Colorado?
A typical deck in Denver runs 3% above the Colorado average and 8% above the US average, mainly because of local labour rates. Strong UV, hail and freeze-thaw cycles; wood dries and checks quickly.
Do I need a permit for a deck in Denver?
Permits are issued by the Denver Community Planning & Development. Denver requires footings 36 inches deep and permits for most attached decks; zoning limits how close to lot lines a deck can go. Budget roughly $200–$700 for the permit, more if drawings by a design professional are required.
How deep do deck footings have to be in Denver?
About 36 inches. Each 12 inch footing at that depth costs roughly $205 installed, and a 12×16 deck needs about 3. Always confirm the required depth with the Denver Community Planning & Development before digging — the footing inspection happens before any concrete goes in.
Should I choose composite or wood for a deck in Denver?
Composite adds about $5,264 to a 12×16 deck in Denver but removes staining every two to three years. UV and freeze-thaw punish wood, so the maintenance savings on composite arrive sooner than the national break-even suggests.
Price the rest of the project
Figures are planning estimates built from national installed prices adjusted for Colorado and Denver labour, materials and footing depth. Get two or three itemised local quotes. Method.