How much does it cost to build a deck in 2026? (And is your quote fair?)
You probably already want a deck. You might already have a quote. The question is whether the number on that quote makes any sense. We've looked at 253 deck-specific contractor quotes in our database, and the same 300-square-foot deck can swing by $8,000 depending on who bids it. This guide is the cheat sheet: what decks actually cost right now and how to tell if a contractor is charging you fairly.
The quick answer
$4,500 to $18,000. That's the range for most deck projects. A typical 300-square-foot attached deck falls between $8,000 and $15,000. Per square foot, you're looking at $15 to $75 installed, with the spread mostly coming down to what material you pick.
Based on 253 deck-specific contractor quotes in the Quotsey database.
Average deck costs by size
Square footage is the main thing. Bigger deck, bigger bill. You get some labor efficiency on larger builds since the crew is already there, but materials scale linearly with every added foot.
| Deck size | Typical cost range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10×10 (100 sq ft) | $2,500 – $5,500 | Small patio deck, ground-level, pressure-treated wood |
| 12×16 (192 sq ft) | $4,500 – $10,000 | Most popular starter size, fits a table and chairs |
| 16×20 (320 sq ft) | $7,500 – $16,000 | Mid-size, room for seating and a grill area |
| 20×20 (400 sq ft) | $9,000 – $20,000 | Large deck, often includes stairs and railings |
| Multi-level / custom | $20,000 – $50,000+ | Two or more tiers, custom features, elevated design |
These assume a standard attached deck on a one-story house. Go up a story and you're adding 15–25% for the extra structural work. Multi-level designs tack on 30–50% more.
Cost per square foot by material
After size, material is where the money goes. These are installed costs per square foot from our quote data:
| Material | Cost per sq ft (installed) | Lifespan | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | $15 – $25 | 10–15 years | High – seal/stain every 1–3 years |
| Cedar | $25 – $35 | 15–20 years | Medium – stain every 2–3 years |
| Composite (Trex, TimberTech) | $30 – $50 | 25–30 years | Low – occasional cleaning |
| PVC / vinyl | $35 – $60 | 30–50 years | Very low – hose off and done |
| Ipe / exotic hardwood | $40 – $75 | 25–40 years | Medium – annual oiling |
Labor usually runs 40–60% of the total. If you see a quote where labor is only 20%, something's off. Maybe the scope is thin, maybe the material markup is doing the heavy lifting. Either way, ask.
Wood vs. composite: the 10-year comparison
This is the debate everyone has. Pressure-treated wood is cheaper to build. Composite is cheaper to own. The gap usually closes in 7–10 years, and it mostly comes down to whether you want to spend your weekends staining.
| Pressure-treated wood | Mid-tier composite | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost (300 sq ft) | $4,500 – $7,500 | $9,000 – $15,000 |
| Annual maintenance cost | $200 – $400/year | Near zero |
| 10-year maintenance total | $2,000 – $4,000 | $50 – $150 |
| Likely replacement | 10–15 years | 25–50 years |
| ROI at resale | 70–83% | 65–77% |
Selling in the next five years? Go with pressure-treated. Staying put? Composite will cost you less over time, and you won't spend every May with a sander in your hand.
Quotsey tip
When you're comparing quotes across materials, ask what the deck will cost you over 10 years, not just to build. Some contractors push the material that gives them the best margin. Asking about long-term cost makes that harder to hide.
What drives the cost up
Elevated and multi-level designs
Leave the ground and the price jumps. Anything more than 30 inches off grade needs deeper footings and beefier posts, which adds $2,000–$5,000 over a ground-level deck of the same size. Second-story decks? Those can run two to three times the cost.
Lot conditions and site prep
Sloped yards need excavation and leveling, which runs $500–$5,000 depending on how steep it is. Tight access, big trees in the way, rocky soil. All of it adds labor time. These are the kinds of things no online estimate can account for, and they're why change orders happen mid-project.
Permits and inspections
Most towns require a permit for decks over 200 square feet, or anything attached to the house. Fees are $100–$500. Your contractor should handle this. If a quote doesn't mention permits at all, that's a problem. Either they're planning to skip them, or the quote isn't finished. Unpermitted decks cause headaches at closing when you sell.
Add-ons and what they cost
| Add-on | Typical cost | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|
| Railings (wood or vinyl) | $20 – $35 per linear foot | Required on elevated decks, adds safety and finish |
| Cable or glass railings | $60 – $200 per linear foot | Great visual impact, good for views |
| Stairs (per flight) | $500 – $2,000 | Necessary for raised decks |
| Built-in bench seating | $1,000 – $1,500 | Good use of perimeter space on smaller decks |
| Pergola (prefab) | $1,450 – $5,570 | Adds shade and structure, good lifestyle ROI |
| Outdoor lighting | $500 – $2,000 | Extends usability, solid resale appeal |
| Outdoor kitchen / BBQ island | $3,000 – $10,000 | Best for long-term homeowners |
| Old deck removal | $500 – $2,500 | Required before replacement, often excluded from quotes |
Red flags in a contractor quote
Deck quotes are all over the place. Two contractors can look at the same yard and come back $6,000 apart. Knowing what to look for helps.
Signs the quote may be padded
Lump-sum pricing with no line items. You should see materials, labor, permits, and disposal listed separately. A single number with no breakdown deserves a follow-up question.
Material markup over 25–30%.Contractors add a margin on materials, and that's normal. But markups above 30% without an explanation should make you ask what's going on.
No mention of footings or framing. These are the most labor-intensive parts of a deck build. If the quote only talks about decking boards and railings, the scope is probably incomplete.
Signs the quote may be too low
No permits included. A contractor who skips permitting is cutting a corner that becomes your legal problem when you sell.
No contingency for site conditions. Every outdoor project hits surprises. A quote with zero buffer will produce change orders.
Upfront payment over 30–40%.Standard practice is 10–30% deposit, with the balance tied to milestones. Heavy front-loading is a warning sign.
Timeline too short for the scope.A 400 sq ft deck typically takes 5–10 days. If someone promises two days, something isn't right.
The rule of three
For any deck over $5,000, get three quotes. The middle one usually tells you what the job actually costs. The low bid is almost always missing something. The high bid often assumes you won't bother shopping around. We wrote a whole post on red flags in contractor quotes if you want to dig deeper.
Is your deck quote fair?
Got a quote already? Run it against our numbers. Our deck building cost guide has the per-square-foot breakdowns, or you can plug your project into Quotsey for a free itemized estimate. No phone number, no sales call.
Get your free deck building estimate
Plug in your project details and get a real number. Materials, labor, everything broken out.
Want more like this? We've got guides on kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, basement finishing, and more.