Deck Cost Calculator

An installed deck runs about $15 to $25 per square foot for pressure-treated wood, $30 to $60 for composite, and $35 to $70 for hardwood, including framing and labor. A 16 by 12 foot composite deck, 192 square feet, works out to roughly $5,760 to $11,520. The calculator above prices by size and decking material. Height off the ground, railings, and stairs move the real quote.

Pressure-treated wood is cheaper to build, often less than half the per-foot cost of composite. Composite costs more up front but needs almost no upkeep, no sanding, staining, or sealing, and lasts longer, so it can be the better value over the life of the deck. Wood needs regular sealing to hold up. The choice is up-front cost against years of maintenance.

Height is the biggest driver the square footage does not capture. A ground-level deck is straightforward; an elevated deck needs taller footings, more framing, and railings and stairs, which add material and labor fast. Built-in benches, lighting, a pergola, and premium railing all add. Permits and inspections are part of a real quote too.

Usually yes for anything attached to the house or above a certain height, which is most decks. The permit covers footings, framing, and railing to code, and it comes with inspections. A small, low, freestanding platform sometimes does not need one. Permit cost and requirements vary by town and are part of the on-site quote.