Cost of Building A Deck
"What is the cost of building a deck?" I get this question a lot in my email from visitors. And its not an easy number to "nail down".
But based on the types of information we have received we have been able to come up with some idea of the cost of building a deck and guidelines for a number of areas across the US and Canada.
Builders! If you're an expert on costs, let others know about you by sharing your knowledge. Here's how.
Check our summary at the bottom of this page.
There are a variety of factors that determine the cost of building a deck. Typical items and factors affecting these costs include:
- your location
- type of materials
Cost Factor #1 - Proximity to Urban Centers
Generally speaking the closer you are to larger urban areas the higher the cost of labor. This translates into higher costs for hiring a contractor. On the other hand, material costs can be more competitive if you are in a large area where there are several large suppliers.
Cost Factor #2 - Proximity to where materials are produced
It should be no surprise that lumber and material costs are higher in places like Hawaii where things have to be shipped across vast distances from where they are manufactured.
On the mainland, most areas rural and urban are well serviced with building materials. But in some very remote areas such as Alaska, and the Yukon in Canada, builders may have to have certain materials shipped up or local supply yards may not offer the same diverse and broad selection of materials. This can increase costs.
Cost Factor #3 - Materials
The other key factor that affects the costs of building a deck is the materials used. Pressure treated lumber is less expensive than cedar or redwood. Vinyl railings or aluminum railings are more expensive than wood railings.
Composite decking materials and exterior vinyl deck floor coverings are more expensive than wood. The final building cost will be a combination of all three components.
In our building cost summary we have tried to provide a cost per square foot for materials only (you build yourself) and for labor and materials (you hire a builder). The costs are based on wood decks and are stated in a range which accounts for the low end minimalist pressure treated deck to the mid range cedar or redwood deck.
They do not include such higher end customization such as composite decking or aluminum or glass railings. The figures we have used for the costs of building decks are an average based on the messages we receive from our visitors.
It may not be scientific, but we think it is very helpful if you are trying to budget for your deck building project. And we think it is pretty close to the truth.
Cost of Building A Deck
| Cost Per Square Foot | ||
|---|---|---|
| State/Province | Materials | Materials & Labor |
| USA | ||
| Illinois | 12 |
|
| Maryland | 5.50 |
|
| Michigan | 8 |
|
| New Jersey | ||
| New York | 17 |
|
| North Carolina | 11.50 |
|
| Ohio | 24 |
|
| Pennsylvania | 13.70 |
|
| CANADA | ||
| Alberta | 17 |
|
| BC | 21 |
|
| Manitoba | 17 |
|
| New Brunswick | 13 |
|
| Newfoundland | 15 |
|
| Nova Scotia | 15 |
|
| Ontario | 12 |
19 |
| PEI | 15 |
|
| Quebec | 17 |
|
| Saskatchewan | 20 |
|
| Yukon | 35 |
|
If you would like to share with us and our visitors how much it cost you to build your deck yourself or through a contractor, let us know by adding your comments below.
Eventually, if enough people contribute we will have a very comprehensive table of the cost of building a deck across the US and Canada.
What Did Your Deck Cost?
Are you a builder? What are the deck building costs in your part of the country?
Share your expertise with our visitors, build your credibility and be seen by thousands of visitors everyday and get a link back to your site.
Are you a Do It Yourselfer? Help our visitors out with the price checks in your area on materials. Share it! It's Easy!
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Ottawa Valley Deck Built
I am in the Ottawa Valley and have a contractor building my deck.
It is framed with pressure treated pine lumber and finished in local eastern white ...
San Diego Decks
I am a contractor.
We build decks and most other residential work. The cost for a deck is from 18.00 per sq ft and up. That is your basic deck.
We ...
Deck Just Finished in Winchester VA
My 28' x 17' deck was just completed. I bought the materials and paid a contractor just for labor.
It consisted of all pressure treated lumber. 2x6 ...
Kansas City Deck Building Market Prices
We are a prominent deck builder in the Kansas City Metro Area. Our current pricing (as of July 17th, 2008) is as follows.
The square footage equation ...
Deck Contractor Pricing in Grande Prairie
As a contractor in Grande Prairie, Alberta, this is what we would charge for a typical 8 x 14 deck. It's built on 12"x6' concrete piles with a 3'6" square ...
Building Cost to Hire a Contractor For My Deck
I just paid $24 a square foot for a 10x15 pressure treated deck. I am not sure what it costs elsewhere but here in Ottawa, Ontario.
Pretty basic with ...
Deck Builder in Ann Arbor
I have built over 500 decks through the years. Very profitable when cedar, treated, and red woods where popular.
In recent years with composite decking,...
Deck Costs Washington State
A deck with pressure treated 2x6 sun wood decking goes for about $20-$25 per sq. ft. in Washington state.
KARASIEWICZ CONSTRUCTION, INC. karaconhomes.com
Not rated yet
State of Michigan Licensed and insured building company with over 14 years of experience.
From handyman services to new residential/commercial construction....
KARASIEWICZ CONSTRUCTION, INC. karaconhomes.com
Not rated yet
Licensed and insured building company.
Treated decks start at $17.00 per sq. ft. and increase from there depending on materials used and elevation.
From ...
Decks in Southern Manitoba...
Not rated yet
I began building decks as a contractor this last summer and after much trial and error found my prices to be right about what you guys are saying they'...
Help!!! Is This Cost To High?
Not rated yet
I own a duplex and contracted to build two decks the main floor deck is 280 sq ft (20x14) and the upper deck is 140 sq ft.
Both these decks were tied ...
1981 Cedar Deck Getting Revived
Not rated yet
The original deck was built in 1981 (oh about 27 years ago). It has been treated some 27 times with Thompsons water sealer each year and it's still standing ...
Removed Screen Porch and Added New deck
Not rated yet
We removed a old screen porch and added a new deck 14x20 with composite decking (weatherbest) and white composite railing (no lattice). It cost $15,100....