Deck Building Cost Calculator
Build a deck midpoint from size, framing/footings, decking material, height, railing, stairs, and extras — then scale by state. Click any i for detail.
Your deck
Deck area (sq ft)
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Deck area
Length × width of the deck surface. Add levels together for multi-level decks. |
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Framing & footings
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Framing & footings
Elevated decks need more structure. Heavy framing covers taller posts and larger spans. |
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Decking material
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Decking material
Pressure-treated is the budget workhorse; composite costs more up front. |
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Height / complexity
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Height / complexity
Scales structure, surface, and railing lines for taller or more complex builds. |
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Railing
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Railing
Perimeter is estimated from deck area. Cable and glass cost more than wood. |
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Stairs
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Stairs
One simple run vs wider or dual stair packages. |
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Extras
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Extras
Skirting and lighting are common add-ons after the deck surface is done. |
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Permit
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Permit
Many towns require permits for elevated decks. This is a small allowance, not a guarantee of local fees. |
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Your state
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Your state
Scales midpoints vs U.S. average — not a deck builder bid. |
How to use this calculator
- Enter deck square footage.
- Choose framing level and decking material.
- Set height, railing, and stairs.
- Add extras and a permit allowance if needed.
- Pick your state and review the itemized total.
Results explained
The headline itemizes framing, decking, railing, stairs, extras, and permit after height and state scaling.
Quick reference: deck building blocks
U.S.-average midpoints before height/state scaling.
| Line | Midpoint |
|---|---|
| Standard framing + footings | $14 / sq ft |
| Pressure-treated surface | $22 / sq ft |
| Composite surface | $48 / sq ft |
| Wood railing | $35 / lf |
| Metal / cable railing | $65 / lf |
| One stair run | $1,600 |
| Permit allowance | $450 |
Height multipliers: low ×1.00 · typical elevated ×1.12 · tall/complex ×1.30 on structure/surface/rail.
How the estimate is built
Framing and decking use per-square-foot rates. Railing uses an estimated perimeter from area. Stairs, extras, and permit are flat adders. Height scales the main build lines; state scales the stack.
Example scenario
A 300 sq ft pressure-treated deck with standard framing, typical height, wood rail, one stair run, and a permit at U.S. average pricing typically lands in the low-to-mid teens of thousands before composite or glass rail upgrades.
FAQ
Covered deck / roof?
Not modeled — treat a roof structure as a separate project.
Are footings included?
Yes in the standard and heavy framing options. Rocky digs can still exceed the midpoint.
Stain/seal?
Not included — usually a follow-on DIY or painter cost for wood decks.