Deck Cost Calculator
Price a new deck in seconds: size, material, height, railing and stairs in — an installed cost range, a full materials breakdown and the board, joist and footing counts out. Then see the same deck in 3D, free.
No sign-up · Runs 100% in your browser · Free — no watermarkRailing length defaults to the three open sides of the deck (length + 2 × width). Adjust it if your deck attaches differently or has openings.
Estimated installed cost
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| Materials breakdown | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Decking boards | — |
| Framing (joists, beams, posts) | — |
| Footings & concrete | — |
| Hardware & fasteners | — |
| Railing materials | — |
| Stairs materials | — |
Planning estimate based on 2026 US national averages. Permits, demolition of an old deck, site grading and premium finishes are not included. Always confirm with local quotes — see what drives the price per square foot.
Count it and see it, not just price it
Deck Board Calculator
Exactly how many deck boards, joists and screws or hidden clips to buy — with board width, gap, direction and waste allowance under your control.
Free 3D Deck Designer
Brand design tools show you a picture but never the price. Ours builds your deck in 3D and keeps the board count and cost range on screen as you design.
Deck Cost Per Square Foot
The 2026 per-square-foot ranges by material, what is included in them, and the six factors that move a real quote up or down.
How much does a deck cost?
Most decks cost $30–90 per square foot installed. Where a project lands in that range is decided mostly by the decking material — pressure-treated lumber at the low end, hardwood at the top — and by height: every extra foot above ground adds posts, stairs, railing and labor. A ground-level platform can cost half as much per square foot as the same deck eight feet in the air.
Materials are roughly half the bill. On a typical build, decking, framing, footings and hardware make up 45–55% of the total and labor the rest. That is why DIY builders focus on material counts: over-ordering composite boards by 15% on a 200 sq ft deck wastes several hundred dollars, and under-ordering stops the job. The board calculator exists to get that count right.
Railing is the silent budget item. Railing can add $20–45 per linear foot in materials alone, and a three-sided railing on a mid-size deck runs 40 linear feet — often $1,500–$3,500 installed. If a quote looks surprisingly high, check the railing line first.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build a deck in 2026?
A professionally installed deck typically costs $30–55 per square foot with pressure-treated lumber, $35–60 with cedar, $45–75 with composite and $55–90 with hardwood. A common 16×12 ft deck (192 sq ft) lands around $6,000–$10,500 in pressure-treated lumber and $9,000–$14,500 in composite, before extras like long railings, tall heights or demolition of an old deck.
How does this deck cost calculator work?
Enter the deck length and width, decking material, height above ground, railing length and stair steps. The calculator prices the decking, framing, footings, hardware, railing and stairs separately, adds labor for your height and material, and shows a low–high range. The same pricing model powers the 3D deck designer, so both tools always agree.
What is not included in the estimate?
Permits and inspections, demolition or removal of an existing deck, site grading, electrical or plumbing work, and premium finishes such as curved boards, picture-frame borders or built-in benches and planters. Regional labor rates can also move the price well outside national averages.
Is pressure-treated lumber or composite cheaper?
Pressure-treated lumber is cheaper to install — roughly $30–55 per square foot installed versus $45–75 for composite. Composite costs more up front but needs no staining or sealing and usually carries 25-year-plus warranties, so the lifetime cost gap is much smaller than the build cost gap.
How many deck boards do I need?
It depends on the deck area, board width, gap and board length. Use the deck board calculator on this site: it counts the boards, joists and screws or hidden fasteners, including a waste allowance you can adjust.