Cost to Build a Deck in San Antonio, TX (2026)
In San Antonio a 12×16 ft deck costs about $3,755 in pressure-treated pine and $8,510 in composite, installed — 7% below the US average. Below: local prices by size, footing depth, permits and a calculator priced for San Antonio.
Pressure-treated pine
$18–$23 /sq ft
Cedar
$26–$34 /sq ft
Composite
$40–$52 /sq ft
Deck cost calculator for San Antonio
Priced with San Antonio labour, material and footing-depth factors. Change any input and the estimate updates.
Estimated installed cost
$7,489 – $9,787
192 sq ft · about $44.32/sq ft
- Materials
- $5,348
- Labour
- $3,162
- 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.
San Antonio 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) | $1,900 | $2,854 | $4,377 |
| 12 × 12 ft (144 sq ft) | $2,787 | $4,160 | $6,354 |
| 12 × 16 ft (192 sq ft) | $3,755 | $5,585 | $8,510 |
| 16 × 20 ft (320 sq ft) | $6,143 | $9,193 | $14,069 |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 sq ft) | $7,755 | $11,569 | $17,662 |
What makes a deck in San Antonio cost what it does
Caliche and limestone can make footing holes slow to dig; long, hot summers age wood fast.
Labour here runs 4% below the Texas average, so a pressure-treated 12×16 that averages $3,867 across Texas comes to about $3,755 in San Antonio. 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio
Permits are issued by the City of San Antonio Development Services. Permits are required for attached decks and those above 30 inches; historic districts add design review. Typical fees run $150–$450. For the state rules that sit behind the local ones, see deck cost in Texas.
Choosing decking in San Antonio
Composite adds about $4,755 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
Frequently asked questions
How much does a deck cost in San Antonio?
A 12×16 ft deck in San Antonio costs about $3,755 in pressure-treated pine, $5,585 in cedar and $8,510 in composite, installed. That is $18–$23 per square foot for pressure-treated and $40–$52 for composite.
Is building a deck in San Antonio more expensive than elsewhere in Texas?
A typical deck in San Antonio runs right in line with the Texas average and 7% below the US average, mainly because of local labour rates. Caliche and limestone can make footing holes slow to dig; long, hot summers age wood fast.
Do I need a permit for a deck in San Antonio?
Permits are issued by the City of San Antonio Development Services. Permits are required for attached decks and those above 30 inches; historic districts add design review. 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 San Antonio?
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 San Antonio Development Services before digging — the footing inspection happens before any concrete goes in.
Should I choose composite or wood for a deck in San Antonio?
Composite adds about $4,755 to a 12×16 deck in San Antonio 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 San Antonio labour, materials and footing depth. Get two or three itemised local quotes. Method.