Deck Cost Calculator

DeckMath
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Dimensions

Plan-view length × width.

ft

ft

Area · 192 sq ft·Perimeter · 56 ft
192 sq ft deck. Mid composite tier. Project total $16,481 to $28,863, 86 to 150 dollars per square foot.
Project budget · Northeast
$16,481 – $28,863
$86–$150/ sq ft

192 sq ft · Mid composite · 1.22× labor · 1.10× complexity

Materials
Low $4,752
Labor
Low $7,086
Add-ons
Low $4,324
Soft costs
Permit · demo · design

Project advisories · IRC 2021

Guardrail included (deck 36″ off grade)

IRC R312

IRC R312 mandates a 36″ guardrail on open edges when deck height exceeds 30″. 40 lf priced at Mid composite tier.

Building permit included in budget

IRC R105

Northeast typical permit fee is in the budget. Most jurisdictions require a permit for decks > 200 sqft, > 30″ above grade, or attached to the house.

Hidden-fastener install premium baked in

Manufacturer specs

Mid composite uses hidden-fastener clip systems (Cortex / CamoClip / Trex Universal) — labor takes 25–30% longer than face-screwing PT. Already inside the tier's installed $/sqft band.

Cost breakdown

$29kHigh est.
Cost breakdown totalling $28,862: Materials $7,603, Labor $11,337, Add-ons $6,978, Soft costs $320, Contingency $2,624.
Cost componentShareAmount
Materials26%$7,603
Labor39%$11,337
Add-ons24%$6,978
Soft costs1%$320
Contingency9%$2,624
Total (high est.)100%$28,862

Share of the high estimate. Switch tiers below to repaint the split.

Labor (Northeast, 1.22× national)
$7,086 – $11,337 (low – high estimate)
1.0 scope
$11,337
Materials (decking + framing + hardware)
$4,752 – $7,603 (low – high estimate)
Home DepotLowe'sAmazon
1.0 scope
$7,603
Railing (40 lf, ledger 3-side)
$2,684 – $4,636 (low – high estimate)
1.0 scope
$4,636
Contingency (10% reserve)
up to $2,624
1.0 scope
$2,624
Stairs (4 steps @ 9.0″ rise)
$1,640 – $2,342 (low – high estimate)
1.0 scope
$2,342
Building permit (Northeast)
$320 flat
1.0 scope
$320
Materials subtotal
$28,862

National-median pricing (2026-Q1). Local prices vary ±15%. Materials line uses Mid composite tier; switch tiers to repaint the budget. Includes 10% contingency reserve on the high estimate.

Live preview

Visualize your deck

Photoreal 3D · plan view · framing breakdown. Color matches your tier selection.

PBR materialsHDR lightingMid composite
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16′ × 12′
Trex Enhance
Joists
13 × 12′
Beams
1 × 2-ply 2×10
Posts
3 × 6×6
Boards
27 rows

Project all-in

Materials (low – high)
Mid composite tier · Trex Enhance · Fiberon Good Life · TimberTech Prime+. ~$0.05/sqft/yr.
$4,752 – $7,603
Labor (installed)
Northeast · 1.22× national index
$7,086 – $11,337
Add-ons
Railing · stairs · lighting (only included items)
$4,324 – $6,978
Soft costs
Permit · demo · design (only included items)
$320 – $320
Contingency reserve (10%)
Industry-standard cushion for unforeseen scope
$2,624
Project total (low – high)
Plan around the high. Get 3 contractor bids — DeckMath should land within ±15%.
$16,481 – $28,863

Same dimensions, different tier

tap to switch

DIY savings

$14,399
vs mid-range contractor
  • Materials only: $7,603
  • Estimated hours: 288 hr
  • Skill required: advanced

Finance estimate

$585/month
60-month personal loan @ 7.99% APR
  • Principal: $28,863
  • Total interest: $6,243
  • Estimate only — shop 3+ lenders.
Composite/PVC installs use hidden-fastener clip systems — labor is 25–30% slower than face-screwing pressure-treated wood. That premium is already baked into the tier's installed $/sqft band.

Need exact board counts?

The Deck Material Calculator gives you a permit-ready bill of materials — every joist, hanger, fastener, and footing — validated against IRC 2021 span tables.

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Estimates use 2026-Q1 national-median pricing (Home Advisor, Angi, RSMeans). Expect ±15% variance vs your local market. Always get 3 contractor bids before signing. This calculator is not a substitute for a licensed inspector or structural engineer.