Cost to Build a Deck in Nashville, TN (2026)
In Nashville a 12×16 ft deck costs about $3,955 in pressure-treated pine and $8,811 in composite, installed — 3% below the US average. Below: local prices by size, footing depth, permits and a calculator priced for Nashville.
Pressure-treated pine
$19–$24 /sq ft
Cedar
$27–$36 /sq ft
Composite
$41–$53 /sq ft
Deck cost calculator for Nashville
Priced with Nashville labour, material and footing-depth factors. Change any input and the estimate updates.
Estimated installed cost
$7,754 – $10,133
192 sq ft · about $45.89/sq ft
- Materials
- $5,535
- Labour
- $3,277
- 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.
Nashville 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) | $2,004 | $2,978 | $4,534 |
| 12 × 12 ft (144 sq ft) | $2,937 | $4,338 | $6,580 |
| 12 × 16 ft (192 sq ft) | $3,955 | $5,823 | $8,811 |
| 16 × 20 ft (320 sq ft) | $6,476 | $9,590 | $14,570 |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 sq ft) | $8,172 | $12,064 | $18,290 |
What makes a deck in Nashville cost what it does
Limestone near the surface in many areas, humidity and sloping lots.
Labour here runs 8% above the Tennessee average, so a pressure-treated 12×16 that averages $3,850 across Tennessee comes to about $3,955 in Nashville. Humid with hot summers, mild winters in the west and colder mountains in the east.
Footings
Footings in Nashville 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 Nashville
Permits are issued by the Metro Nashville Codes Administration. Metro Codes permits decks; rock can make footing holes slow, which contractors price in. Typical fees run $150–$450. For the state rules that sit behind the local ones, see deck cost in Tennessee.
Choosing decking in Nashville
Composite adds about $4,857 to a 12×16 deck here over pressure-treated. Pressure-treated is the value option; hillside lots put more of the budget into framing. Run the numbers for your deck in the composite vs wood calculator.
Best time to build
March to May and September to November.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a deck cost in Nashville?
A 12×16 ft deck in Nashville costs about $3,955 in pressure-treated pine, $5,823 in cedar and $8,811 in composite, installed. That is $19–$24 per square foot for pressure-treated and $41–$53 for composite.
Is building a deck in Nashville more expensive than elsewhere in Tennessee?
A typical deck in Nashville runs 2% above the Tennessee average and 3% below the US average, mainly because of local labour rates. Limestone near the surface in many areas, humidity and sloping lots.
Do I need a permit for a deck in Nashville?
Permits are issued by the Metro Nashville Codes Administration. Metro Codes permits decks; rock can make footing holes slow, which contractors price in. Budget roughly $150–$450 for the permit, more if drawings by a design professional are required.
How deep do deck footings have to be in Nashville?
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 Metro Nashville Codes Administration before digging — the footing inspection happens before any concrete goes in.
Should I choose composite or wood for a deck in Nashville?
Composite adds about $4,857 to a 12×16 deck in Nashville but removes staining every two to three years. Pressure-treated is the value option; hillside lots put more of the budget into framing.
Price the rest of the project
Figures are planning estimates built from national installed prices adjusted for Tennessee and Nashville labour, materials and footing depth. Get two or three itemised local quotes. Method.