Cost to Build a Deck in 2026

Why this page exists

Installed cost, not just lumber

Ranges include materials and contractor labor, so you’re not surprised when the bid lands.

See the upgrade visually

Show the homeowner what an extra $4,000 in composite actually buys before they default to the cheapest option.

Catch budget killers early

Stairs, railing, raised builds, and demolition are where deck costs blow up. We list the multipliers up front.

Generate a render before quoting

Stop driving out for tire-kickers. A render filters serious buyers from people who just want a number.

How it works

1. Upload a backyard photo. Use any phone photo of the build site. No measurements, no CAD file.
2. Mark the deck area. Drag to outline where the deck goes. Add stairs or a railing line if you want them.
3. Choose material and design. Pick composite, PVC, cedar, or pressure-treated. Compare looks on the same photo.
4. Generate the render and share. Get a photorealistic render in seconds. Send it to the homeowner or attach it to a proposal.

Cost to Build a Deck in 2026

A new deck in 2026 generally lands between $25 and $90 per square foot installed, depending on material and site. The table below covers the most common deck sizes; the multipliers below it cover what makes the same square footage cost more or less.

What moves the price

• Pressure-treated pine. $25 – $40 / sq ft — cheapest up front, 10–15 year life, annual maintenance.
• Composite (Trex, Fiberon, TimberTech PRO). $45 – $70 / sq ft — 25–30 year life, near-zero maintenance.
• PVC / capped polymer (AZEK, TimberTech AZEK). $60 – $90 / sq ft — longest life, lightest, runs cooler than dark composite.
• Raised deck (>3 ft). Add 15–25% for footings, posts, and code-required railing.
• Stairs. Add $150–$300 per linear foot of run, more for wide or curved.
• Demolition of an old deck. Add $5–$15 per square foot, more if the framing has rot.
• Premium railing (cable, glass, aluminum). Add $80–$200 per linear foot above standard wood or composite.
• Permits and engineering. $200–$1,500 depending on jurisdiction and deck height.

Common questions

How much does it cost to build a 12x16 deck?

Roughly $4,800–$7,700 in pressure-treated pine, $8,600–$13,400 in composite, and $11,500–$17,300 in PVC, installed. A second-story or covered build adds 15–25%.

Is it cheaper to build a deck or a patio?

A ground-level concrete or paver patio usually costs less per square foot than a wood deck, but a deck wins on raised lots, sloped yards, or anywhere you need a level surface above grade.

How much does labor cost to build a deck?

Labor typically runs 50–60% of the installed cost. A $15,000 composite deck generally splits into about $6,000 in materials and $9,000 in labor and overhead.

Why do contractors quote so differently?

They’re estimating from different assumptions. PaperPlan lets contractors render the finished deck on the actual yard, which makes the scope concrete and the bids comparable.