Your deck,
costed.

National median is $30–$60 per sq ft installed for pressure-treated wood, $50–$90 for mid-range composite, and $90–$140 for premium composite or tropical hardwood. A typical 16×20 (320 sq ft) deck runs $9,600–$28,800 depending on tier, with mid-range composite landing around $18,000. Add 10–20% in high-cost coastal markets (Northeast, California, Pacific Northwest).

Materials (decking, framing, fasteners, hardware), labor (regional rate), railing if selected, stairs if selected, demolition if existing deck, permit, optional design fees, optional integrated lighting, and a 10% contingency reserve. Not included: landscape repair, electrical sub-panel work, gas-line relocation, or any structural work to the house itself.

Composite decking is 2-3× the per-linear-foot cost of pressure-treated lumber, and the install requires hidden-fastener clip systems that take 25-30% longer than face-screwing wood. But composite eliminates ~$0.45/sqft/year in stain and seal costs. Over a 25-year ownership horizon, mid-tier composite typically beats PT lumber on total cost of ownership (TCO). See our Composite vs Wood Comparison calculator for the math.

Materials are typically 40-50% of a contractor's installed price, so a competent DIYer with a weekend and basic carpentry tools can save 50-60% of total project cost. Expect 1.0–2.0 hours per sq ft depending on material — composite hidden-fastener systems are slower than face-screwed PT. Be realistic about skill level: budget PT is moderate difficulty, premium composite is advanced, and exotic Ipe pre-drilling is expert-level work.

In most US jurisdictions, yes — if the deck is over 30 inches above grade, attached to the house, or larger than 200 sq ft, a permit is required by IRC 2021. Permit fees range from $140 (suburban Midwest) to $320+ (Boston/NYC suburban). Some jurisdictions also require a separate electrical permit for integrated lighting. Always call your local building department before breaking ground — permits are cheap, post-construction violations are expensive.

Pressure-treated pine, rectangular shape, ground-level (under 24″, no railing required), no stairs, easy site access, no permit fee in your jurisdiction, and DIY install. That combination lands around $15-25/sqft total for materials plus your time. Add a railing or 4 stairs and you're looking at $25-35/sqft. For a first-time DIYer, factor in $200-400 in tools you don't already own.

Labor rate is the biggest variable. A licensed deck carpenter in Boston or San Francisco runs $85-110/hr; the same role in suburban Tennessee or Oklahoma is $45-60/hr. The calculator applies regional multipliers from RSMeans 2026-Q1 indices: Northeast 1.22×, West 1.28×, Midwest 1.00×, South 0.92×. Materials are roughly national — the 30%+ spread comes from labor, permit fees, and demolition pricing.

Contingency is a budget line you set aside for unforeseen scope: rotted house framing exposed when removing the old ledger, a buried utility line that requires rerouting, mid-project upgrades the homeowner wants. 10% is the industry-standard reserve for a residential deck — for new construction it can drop to 7%, for full demo-and-rebuild it should be 15%. Better to have it and not need it than the reverse.

The calculator uses a standard PMT amortization at 7.99% APR over 60 months — typical terms for a home-improvement personal loan in 2026. Your actual rate depends on credit score, lender, and whether you secure the loan against home equity. HELOC rates are typically 1-2% lower; credit-card financing is much higher (often 18-24%). Always shop at least 3 lenders.

If your deck is a stock rectangle attached to a typical home, no — most contractors include a basic design in their quote. Include design fees ($500-1,500) if you want a multi-tier deck, custom railing, an outdoor kitchen integration, a pergola, or a wraparound that changes elevation. Architects charge a flat fee or 10-15% of project cost; design-build deck contractors often roll it into labor.

Landscape repair (re-sodding the work zone, replacing damaged plants, regrading drainage) varies wildly by yard. Budget $500-2,500 separately depending on how much heavy equipment crossed the yard during framing. Some contractors include light cleanup; full landscape restoration is typically a separate trade.

Yes — the calculator pulls from 2026-Q1 national-average retail data (Home Depot, Lowe's, specialty distributors). Lumber prices have stabilized after the 2020-2024 volatility. We monitor price indices monthly and refresh this calculator quarterly. If you're reading this 6+ months after the last update, expect ±5-8% drift in the materials line item.

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