Cost to Build a Deck in Utah (2026)
A 12×16 ft deck in Utah runs about $4,302 in pressure-treated pine and $9,347 in composite, installed — right in line with the US average. Here is what moves that number in Utah, 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 Utah
Priced with Utah labour, material and footing-depth factors. Change any input and the estimate updates.
Estimated installed cost
$8,225 – $10,749
192 sq ft · about $48.68/sq ft
- Materials
- $5,741
- Labour
- $3,605
- Footings (33 in deep)
- 3 × about $196
- 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.
Utah 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) | $2,282 | $3,293 | $4,909 |
| 12 × 12 ft (144 sq ft) | $3,248 | $4,704 | $7,032 |
| 12 × 16 ft (192 sq ft) | $4,302 | $6,243 | $9,347 |
| 16 × 20 ft (320 sq ft) | $7,256 | $10,491 | $15,664 |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 sq ft) | $9,013 | $13,056 | $19,523 |
What drives deck prices in Utah
Labour
Labour is the biggest regional variable. Carpentry labour in Utah runs 2% below the national level, so a composite 12×16 that averages $9,216 nationally comes to about $9,347 here. On pressure-treated decks labour is more than half the bill, so the regional gap is widest on the cheapest material.
Climate
Dry with strong UV, cold snowy winters and big temperature swings.
Footings and frost depth
Footings in Utah typically go 30–36 inches deep. At 33 inches each 12 inch footing costs roughly $196 installed, and a 12×16 deck needs about 3 of them — a premium of $86 against the 24 inch depth national prices assume.
Which decking makes sense here
Our pick for most Utah homes: composite. UV and freeze-thaw age wood quickly; composite's maintenance savings arrive early. Composite adds about $5,045 to a 12×16 deck over pressure-treated — see the full 20-year comparison in the composite vs wood calculator.
Permits and code in Utah
The Utah State Construction Code (IRC-based) applies statewide. Footings typically go 30 inches along the Wasatch Front, and mountain towns design for heavy snow.
Typical deck permit fees: $100–$450. 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 Utah
May to October.
Deck cost in Utah cities
- Salt Lake City — 12×16 composite about $9,489
Compare neighbouring states
- Idaho — 12×16 pressure-treated about $4,096 (−5% vs US)
- Wyoming — 12×16 pressure-treated about $4,465 (+1% vs US)
- Colorado — 12×16 pressure-treated about $4,484 (+4% vs US)
- Arizona — 12×16 pressure-treated about $4,117 (−0% vs US)
- Nevada — 12×16 pressure-treated about $4,485 (+6% vs US)
- New Mexico — 12×16 pressure-treated about $3,954 (−4% vs US)
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build a deck in Utah?
A typical 12×16 ft (192 sq ft) deck in Utah costs about $4,302 installed in pressure-treated pine, $6,243 in cedar and $9,347 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 Utah?
On a 12×16 deck composite costs about $5,045 more than pressure-treated up front. UV and freeze-thaw age wood quickly; composite's maintenance savings arrive early. 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 Utah?
The Utah State Construction Code (IRC-based) applies statewide. Footings typically go 30 inches along the Wasatch Front, and mountain towns design for heavy snow. Where a permit is required, fees typically run $100–$450. 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 Utah?
Typically 30 to 36 inches depending on the part of the state. At about 33 inches, each 12 inch footing costs roughly $196 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 Utah?
May to October. Booking a builder outside the spring rush often gets a faster start date and a keener price.
Is Utah expensive for deck building compared with other states?
Utah ranks 26 of 50 from cheapest to most expensive on our index. Carpentry labour runs 2% below the national level and materials 2% above 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 Utah 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.