Cost to Build a Deck in Missouri (2026)
A 12×16 ft deck in Missouri runs about $4,282 in pressure-treated pine and $9,274 in composite, installed — right in line with the US average. Here is what moves that number in Missouri, with a calculator priced for the state.
Pressure-treated pine
$19–$25 /sq ft
Cedar
$28–$37 /sq ft
Composite
$42–$55 /sq ft
Deck cost calculator for Missouri
Priced with Missouri labour, material and footing-depth factors. Change any input and the estimate updates.
Estimated installed cost
$8,161 – $10,665
192 sq ft · about $48.30/sq ft
- Materials
- $5,714
- Labour
- $3,560
- Footings (30 in deep)
- 3 × about $186
- Frost-depth adjustment
- +$58
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.
Missouri 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) | $2,258 | $3,258 | $4,858 |
| 12 × 12 ft (144 sq ft) | $3,226 | $4,666 | $6,970 |
| 12 × 16 ft (192 sq ft) | $4,282 | $6,202 | $9,274 |
| 16 × 20 ft (320 sq ft) | $7,194 | $10,394 | $15,514 |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 sq ft) | $8,954 | $12,954 | $19,354 |
What drives deck prices in Missouri
Labour
Labour is the biggest regional variable. Carpentry labour in Missouri runs right in line with the national level, so a composite 12×16 that averages $9,216 nationally comes to about $9,274 here. On pressure-treated decks labour is more than half the bill, so the regional gap is widest on the cheapest material.
Climate
Hot, humid summers, cold winters and severe spring storms.
Footings and frost depth
Footings in Missouri typically go 24–36 inches deep. At 30 inches each 12 inch footing costs roughly $186 installed, and a 12×16 deck needs about 3 of them — a premium of $58 against the 24 inch depth national prices assume.
Which decking makes sense here
Our pick for most Missouri homes: pressure-treated pine. A mid-cost state where pressure-treated remains the value option. Composite adds about $4,992 to a 12×16 deck over pressure-treated — see the full 20-year comparison in the composite vs wood calculator.
Permits and code in Missouri
No statewide residential code; St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield adopt the IRC. Footing depth ranges from about 24 inches in the south to 36 inches in the north.
Typical deck permit fees: $75–$400. 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 Missouri
April to June and September to November.
Deck cost in Missouri cities
- St. Louis — 12×16 composite about $9,344
- Kansas City — 12×16 composite about $9,331
Compare neighbouring states
- Illinois — 12×16 pressure-treated about $4,949 (+11% vs US)
- Kansas — 12×16 pressure-treated about $4,049 (−4% vs US)
- Iowa — 12×16 pressure-treated about $4,309 (−2% vs US)
- Arkansas — 12×16 pressure-treated about $3,662 (−10% vs US)
- Kentucky — 12×16 pressure-treated about $4,029 (−5% vs US)
- Tennessee — 12×16 pressure-treated about $3,850 (−6% vs US)
- Nebraska — 12×16 pressure-treated about $4,211 (−4% 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 Missouri?
A typical 12×16 ft (192 sq ft) deck in Missouri costs about $4,282 installed in pressure-treated pine, $6,202 in cedar and $9,274 in composite. That is $19–$25 per square foot for pressure-treated and $42–$55 for composite — right in line with the US average.
Is a composite deck worth it in Missouri?
On a 12×16 deck composite costs about $4,992 more than pressure-treated up front. A mid-cost state where pressure-treated remains the value option. 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 Missouri?
No statewide residential code; St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield adopt the IRC. Footing depth ranges from about 24 inches in the south to 36 inches in the north. Where a permit is required, fees typically run $75–$400. 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 Missouri?
Typically 24 to 36 inches depending on the part of the state. At about 30 inches, each 12 inch footing costs roughly $186 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 Missouri?
April to June and September to November. Booking a builder outside the spring rush often gets a faster start date and a keener price.
Is Missouri expensive for deck building compared with other states?
Missouri ranks 24 of 50 from cheapest to most expensive on our index. Carpentry labour runs right in line with the national level and materials right in line with it, which puts a typical deck right in line with 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 Missouri 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.