DeckMath
North Dakota · 20×18 (360 sqft) · 2026-Q1 retail

20×18 Deck Cost in North Dakota

A 20×18 (360 sqft) deck in North Dakota costs $18,000-$28,800 in mid-tier composite with the state's 1.00× labor multiplier (Midwest). An 18×20 deck (360 sqft) is upper-mid — generous for entertaining without fully committing to wraparound complexity. North Dakota frost depth 60″ — deepest among Midwest states. Labor 1.00× national.

360 sqft1.00× laborFrost 60snow climate76 lf perimeter
Area
360 sqft
20×18
PT pine (budget)
$9,000-14,400
$25-40/sqft installed
Mid composite
$18,000-28,800
$50-80/sqft installed
Luxury PVC
$27,000-39,600
$75-110/sqft installed

5 finish tiers — 20×18 in North Dakota

National $/sqft × North Dakota's 1.00× labor multiplier × 360 sqft = total installed cost. Materials + labor + standard railing included.

Tier
$/sqft
Total low
Total high
Budget · Pressure-treated
PT pine
$25-$40
$9,000
$14,400
Mid · Cedar / premium PT
Cedar
$35-$55
$12,600
$19,800
Premium · Mid composite
Trex Transcend, Fiberon Sanctuary
$50-$80
$18,000
$28,800
Luxury · Premium composite
TimberTech AZEK, Trex Signature
$75-$110
$27,000
$39,600
Exotic · Tropical hardwood
IPE, Cumaru
$90-$140
$32,400
$50,400

Excludes permit ($131-$324 typical in North Dakota), demolition (if replacing), and exceptional framing for 60″ frost depth. ND permits $150-250.

20×18 framing notes for North Dakota

Joist size
2×10 @ 16″ OC
Span 20 ft requires 2×10 SYP or PT pine for IRC R507.6 compliance. Check Joist Span Calculator for exact spans by species + spacing.
Beam configuration
2-3 beams
A 20×18 deck typically needs 2-3 beams depending on whether you can drop joists onto the beam (1) or hang them flush (2+).
Post count
6 posts
6×6 PT posts at 6-post layout typical. Footings extend below 60″ frost line.
Footings
6 × 60″ deep
Sonotube 10-12″ diameter at 60″ depth per IRC R403.1.4. Concrete budget: ~$270.
Decking
594 lf
360 sqft × 1.65 lf/sqft = 594 lf of deck boards at 16″ joist OC. Add 5-7% waste for cuts.
Railing
76 lf perimeter
76 lf of railing (~$36/lf mid composite, ~$22/lf wood). Stairs need 2 extra handrails (1 each side).

North Dakota considerations

Labor multiplier
1.00×
Midwest region labor pricing on all installed costs.
Frost depth
60″
Footings extend below frost line per IRC R403.1.4. Deep frost — sonotube + concrete dominates foundation budget.
Climate
snow
Freeze-thaw cycles favor PVC over composite where budget allows.
Top metros
Fargo · Bismarck
Major metros drive installer availability + pricing pressure.
Permit fee
$131-$324
ND permits $150-250.
Region
Midwest
Midwest regional pricing applied. Multiply national $/sqft by 1.00× for North Dakota installed cost.

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FAQ — 20×18 deck in North Dakota

How much does a 20×18 deck cost in North Dakota?

In North Dakota, a 20×18 (360 sqft) deck costs $9,000-$14,400 in pressure-treated, $18,000-$28,800 in mid-range composite (Trex Transcend / Fiberon Sanctuary), and $27,000-$39,600 in luxury composite/PVC (TimberTech AZEK / Trex Signature). Numbers reflect North Dakota's 1.00× labor multiplier on 2026-Q1 retail.

What's the cheapest way to build a 20×18 deck in North Dakota?

Cheapest = ground-level pressure-treated pine with no railings (where exempt under 30″ height) — ~$7,200-$10,800 in North Dakota. Add stairs + railings + above-grade framing and the build goes to ~$10,080-$14,400. DIY saves 30-50% on labor but requires permit + inspection coordination yourself.

How long does it take to build a 20×18 deck in North Dakota?

Permit timeline in North Dakota: 2-6 weeks depending on jurisdiction. Construction time for a 20×18: pro crew = 5-8 days for framing + boards + railings + stairs. DIY = 3-5 weekends for experienced DIYer. Allow extra time for permit approval + inspections.

What framing do I need for a 20×18 deck in North Dakota?

IRC R507-compliant framing for a 20×18 deck typically uses 2×8 joists at 16″ OC for spans up to 12 ft, 2×10 joists for spans 12-16 ft. North Dakota's frost depth is 60″ — footings must extend below that per IRC R403.1.4. Deep frost requires more concrete per footing — budget extra for sonotubes + concrete. Verify with your local building department.

Is composite worth it for a 20×18 deck in North Dakota?

Over 25 years in North Dakota: PT pine = ~$10,800 install + ~$22,500 maintenance (stain every 2-3 yr) = $33,300 total. Mid composite = ~$20,880 install + $0 maintenance = $20,880 total. Composite wins by 59-81% over 25-yr lifecycle PLUS better resale value in North Dakota's market.

Compare North Dakota brand pricing for a 20×18

Same 20×18 in other states