Cost to Build a Deck in Texas (2026)
A 12×16 ft deck in Texas runs about $3,867 in pressure-treated pine and $8,665 in composite, installed — 6% below the US average. Here is what moves that number in Texas, with a calculator priced for the state.
Pressure-treated pine
$18–$24 /sq ft
Cedar
$27–$35 /sq ft
Composite
$40–$52 /sq ft
Deck cost calculator for Texas
Priced with Texas labour, material and footing-depth factors. Change any input and the estimate updates.
Estimated installed cost
$7,625 – $9,965
192 sq ft · about $45.13/sq ft
- Materials
- $5,426
- Labour
- $3,239
- 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.
Texas 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) | $1,973 | $2,934 | $4,472 |
| 12 × 12 ft (144 sq ft) | $2,879 | $4,264 | $6,477 |
| 12 × 16 ft (192 sq ft) | $3,867 | $5,714 | $8,665 |
| 16 × 20 ft (320 sq ft) | $6,359 | $9,436 | $14,355 |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 sq ft) | $8,006 | $11,853 | $18,002 |
What drives deck prices in Texas
Labour
Labour is the biggest regional variable. Carpentry labour in Texas runs 10% below the national level, so a composite 12×16 that averages $9,216 nationally comes to about $8,665 here. On pressure-treated decks labour is more than half the bill, so the regional gap is widest on the cheapest material.
Climate
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 and frost depth
Footings in Texas typically go 6–24 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 Texas homes: pressure-treated pine. Low labour and local pine keep pressure-treated cheap, though heat-mitigating composite is common in newer builds. Composite adds about $4,798 to a 12×16 deck over pressure-treated — see the full 20-year comparison in the composite vs wood calculator.
Permits and code in Texas
There is no statewide residential code for unincorporated county land; cities adopt the IRC and permit decks. Expansive clay can move shallow footings, so engineers sometimes specify deeper piers.
Typical deck permit fees: $100–$500. 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 Texas
October to April.
Deck cost in Texas cities
- Houston — 12×16 composite about $8,699
- Dallas — 12×16 composite about $8,731
- Austin — 12×16 composite about $8,888
- San Antonio — 12×16 composite about $8,510
Compare neighbouring states
- Oklahoma — 12×16 pressure-treated about $3,809 (−8% vs US)
- Louisiana — 12×16 pressure-treated about $3,838 (−6% vs US)
- New Mexico — 12×16 pressure-treated about $3,954 (−4% vs US)
- Arkansas — 12×16 pressure-treated about $3,662 (−10% vs US)
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build a deck in Texas?
A typical 12×16 ft (192 sq ft) deck in Texas costs about $3,867 installed in pressure-treated pine, $5,714 in cedar and $8,665 in composite. That is $18–$24 per square foot for pressure-treated and $40–$52 for composite — 6% below the US average.
Is a composite deck worth it in Texas?
On a 12×16 deck composite costs about $4,798 more than pressure-treated up front. Low labour and local pine keep pressure-treated cheap, though heat-mitigating composite is common in newer builds. 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 Texas?
There is no statewide residential code for unincorporated county land; cities adopt the IRC and permit decks. Expansive clay can move shallow footings, so engineers sometimes specify deeper piers. Where a permit is required, fees typically run $100–$500. 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 Texas?
Typically 6 to 24 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 Texas?
October to April. Booking a builder outside the spring rush often gets a faster start date and a keener price.
Is Texas expensive for deck building compared with other states?
Texas ranks 10 of 50 from cheapest to most expensive on our index. Carpentry labour runs 10% 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 Texas 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.