Cost to Build a Deck in Arkansas (2026)
A 12×16 ft deck in Arkansas runs about $3,662 in pressure-treated pine and $8,328 in composite, installed — 10% below the US average. Here is what moves that number in Arkansas, with a calculator priced for the state.
Pressure-treated pine
$17–$22 /sq ft
Cedar
$25–$33 /sq ft
Composite
$39–$50 /sq ft
Deck cost calculator for Arkansas
Priced with Arkansas labour, material and footing-depth factors. Change any input and the estimate updates.
Estimated installed cost
$7,328 – $9,577
192 sq ft · about $43.37/sq ft
- Materials
- $5,217
- Labour
- $3,111
- Footings (15 in deep)
- 3 × about $138
- Frost-depth adjustment
- −$86
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.
Arkansas deck cost by size and material
Mid-range installed prices for a standard-height deck attached to the house, including framing, footings at the local depth and hardware. Railing and stairs are priced separately in the main deck cost calculator.
| Deck size | Pressure-treated pine | Cedar | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft (100 sq ft) | $1,866 | $2,802 | $4,296 |
| 12 × 12 ft (144 sq ft) | $2,725 | $4,072 | $6,224 |
| 12 × 16 ft (192 sq ft) | $3,662 | $5,459 | $8,328 |
| 16 × 20 ft (320 sq ft) | $6,018 | $9,011 | $13,793 |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 sq ft) | $7,580 | $11,322 | $17,299 |
What drives deck prices in Arkansas
Labour
Labour is the biggest regional variable. Carpentry labour in Arkansas runs 18% below the national level, so a composite 12×16 that averages $9,216 nationally comes to about $8,328 here. On pressure-treated decks labour is more than half the bill, so the regional gap is widest on the cheapest material.
Climate
Humid summers, heavy spring storms and termite pressure; the Ozarks see occasional hard freezes that the Delta does not.
Footings and frost depth
Footings in Arkansas typically go 12–18 inches deep. At 15 inches each 12 inch footing costs roughly $138 installed, and a 12×16 deck needs about 3 of them — a saving of $86 against the 24 inch depth national prices assume.
Which decking makes sense here
Our pick for most Arkansas homes: pressure-treated pine. Low labour costs and local pine keep pressure-treated builds among the cheapest in the country. Composite adds about $4,665 to a 12×16 deck over pressure-treated — see the full 20-year comparison in the composite vs wood calculator.
Permits and code in Arkansas
Larger cities such as Little Rock, Fayetteville and Fort Smith adopt the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, which incorporates the IRC, and permit attached decks. Many unincorporated areas do not require a permit.
Typical deck permit fees: $50–$250. Expect a footing inspection before concrete, a framing inspection before the decking goes down and a final. Estimate your fee with the deck permit cost calculator, and read our deck permit guide for what the drawings need to show.
Best time to build a deck in Arkansas
September to November, or March to May before the humidity sets in.
Compare neighbouring states
- Missouri — 12×16 pressure-treated about $4,282 (+0% vs US)
- Tennessee — 12×16 pressure-treated about $3,850 (−6% vs US)
- Mississippi — 12×16 pressure-treated about $3,558 (−10% vs US)
- Louisiana — 12×16 pressure-treated about $3,838 (−6% vs US)
- Texas — 12×16 pressure-treated about $3,867 (−6% vs US)
- Oklahoma — 12×16 pressure-treated about $3,809 (−8% vs US)
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build a deck in Arkansas?
A typical 12×16 ft (192 sq ft) deck in Arkansas costs about $3,662 installed in pressure-treated pine, $5,459 in cedar and $8,328 in composite. That is $17–$22 per square foot for pressure-treated and $39–$50 for composite — 10% below the US average.
Is a composite deck worth it in Arkansas?
On a 12×16 deck composite costs about $4,665 more than pressure-treated up front. Low labour costs and local pine keep pressure-treated builds among the cheapest in the country. Composite needs no staining, which saves a refinishing cycle every two to three years on wood.
Do I need a permit to build a deck in Arkansas?
Larger cities such as Little Rock, Fayetteville and Fort Smith adopt the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, which incorporates the IRC, and permit attached decks. Many unincorporated areas do not require a permit. Where a permit is required, fees typically run $50–$250. Under the model residential code, a freestanding deck under 200 sq ft and no more than 30 inches above grade that does not serve an exit door is often exempt — attaching it to the house removes that exemption.
How deep do deck footings need to be in Arkansas?
Typically 12 to 18 inches depending on the part of the state. At about 15 inches, each 12 inch footing costs roughly $138 installed, compared with $167 at a 24 inch depth. Confirm the exact depth with your building department before digging.
When is the best time to build a deck in Arkansas?
September to November, or March to May before the humidity sets in. Booking a builder outside the spring rush often gets a faster start date and a keener price.
Is Arkansas expensive for deck building compared with other states?
Arkansas ranks 2 of 50 from cheapest to most expensive on our index. Carpentry labour runs 18% below the national level and materials 3% below it, which puts a typical deck 10% below the US average.
Price the rest of the project
How these figures are made: national installed prices per square foot, split into materials and labour and adjusted by a Arkansas labour index (reasoned from BLS state carpenter wage data), a material and freight index, and the local footing depth. They are planning estimates — get two or three itemised local quotes. Method.