Cost to Build a Deck in Tennessee (2026)
A 12×16 ft deck in Tennessee runs about $3,850 in pressure-treated pine and $8,624 in composite, installed — 6% below the US average. Here is what moves that number in Tennessee, with a calculator priced for the state.
Pressure-treated pine
$18–$23 /sq ft
Cedar
$26–$34 /sq ft
Composite
$40–$52 /sq ft
Deck cost calculator for Tennessee
Priced with Tennessee labour, material and footing-depth factors. Change any input and the estimate updates.
Estimated installed cost
$7,589 – $9,917
192 sq ft · about $44.92/sq ft
- Materials
- $5,383
- Labour
- $3,241
- Footings (18 in deep)
- 3 × about $148
- 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.
Tennessee 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) | $1,977 | $2,934 | $4,464 |
| 12 × 12 ft (144 sq ft) | $2,873 | $4,251 | $6,454 |
| 12 × 16 ft (192 sq ft) | $3,850 | $5,687 | $8,624 |
| 16 × 20 ft (320 sq ft) | $6,358 | $9,421 | $14,316 |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 sq ft) | $7,986 | $11,814 | $17,933 |
What drives deck prices in Tennessee
Labour
Labour is the biggest regional variable. Carpentry labour in Tennessee runs 12% below the national level, so a composite 12×16 that averages $9,216 nationally comes to about $8,624 here. On pressure-treated decks labour is more than half the bill, so the regional gap is widest on the cheapest material.
Climate
Humid with hot summers, mild winters in the west and colder mountains in the east.
Footings and frost depth
Footings in Tennessee typically go 12–24 inches deep. At 18 inches each 12 inch footing costs roughly $148 installed, and a 12×16 deck needs about 3 of them — a saving of $58 against the 24 inch depth national prices assume.
Which decking makes sense here
Our pick for most Tennessee homes: pressure-treated pine. Pressure-treated is the value option; hillside lots put more of the budget into framing. Composite adds about $4,774 to a 12×16 deck over pressure-treated — see the full 20-year comparison in the composite vs wood calculator.
Permits and code in Tennessee
Tennessee adopts the IRC statewide, though some counties opt out of residential enforcement. Nashville and Knoxville require deck permits.
Typical deck permit fees: $75–$350. 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 Tennessee
March to May and September to November.
Deck cost in Tennessee cities
- Nashville — 12×16 composite about $8,811
Compare neighbouring states
- Kentucky — 12×16 pressure-treated about $4,029 (−5% vs US)
- Virginia — 12×16 pressure-treated about $4,178 (−1% vs US)
- North Carolina — 12×16 pressure-treated about $3,821 (−6% vs US)
- Georgia — 12×16 pressure-treated about $3,848 (−6% vs US)
- Alabama — 12×16 pressure-treated about $3,674 (−8% vs US)
- Mississippi — 12×16 pressure-treated about $3,558 (−10% vs US)
- Arkansas — 12×16 pressure-treated about $3,662 (−10% vs US)
- Missouri — 12×16 pressure-treated about $4,282 (+0% vs US)
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build a deck in Tennessee?
A typical 12×16 ft (192 sq ft) deck in Tennessee costs about $3,850 installed in pressure-treated pine, $5,687 in cedar and $8,624 in composite. That is $18–$23 per square foot for pressure-treated and $40–$52 for composite — 6% below the US average.
Is a composite deck worth it in Tennessee?
On a 12×16 deck composite costs about $4,774 more than pressure-treated up front. Pressure-treated is the value option; hillside lots put more of the budget into framing. 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee adopts the IRC statewide, though some counties opt out of residential enforcement. Nashville and Knoxville require deck permits. Where a permit is required, fees typically run $75–$350. 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 Tennessee?
Typically 12 to 24 inches depending on the part of the state. At about 18 inches, each 12 inch footing costs roughly $148 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 Tennessee?
March to May and September to November. Booking a builder outside the spring rush often gets a faster start date and a keener price.
Is Tennessee expensive for deck building compared with other states?
Tennessee ranks 7 of 50 from cheapest to most expensive on our index. Carpentry labour runs 12% below the national level and materials 2% below it, which puts a typical deck 6% 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 Tennessee 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.