Find out average deck building costs by material and size in 2026. Wood vs composite compared. Free deck cost calculator.
Building a deck costs $15-$35 per square foot installed — meaning a 300 sq ft deck runs $4,500-$10,500 for pressure-treated wood or $9,000-$18,000 for composite decking. Decks return 65-75% of cost at resale making them one of the better outdoor home improvement investments. Our guide covers all materials, sizes, and what drives costs higher.
Cost-per-square-foot installed varies sharply by material — pressure-treated wood is the budget pick, composite is the long-term value pick. Use the table below to estimate total cost for common deck sizes. | Material | Cost per sq ft | 300 sq ft deck | 500 sq ft deck | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Pressure-treated wood | $15–$25 | $4,500–$7,500 | $7,500–$12,500 | | Cedar / redwood | $20–$35 | $6,000–$10,500 | $10,000–$17,500 | | Composite (Trex, TimberTech) | $25–$45 | $7,500–$13,500 | $12,500–$22,500 | | Tropical hardwood (Ipe) | $30–$50 | $9,000–$15,000 | $15,000–$25,000 | Pressure-treated wood needs staining every 2–3 years and lasts 10–15 years with maintenance. Composite carries a 25-year warranty with minimal upkeep. Cedar and redwood are naturally rot-resistant and prized for appearance.
Cost-adding factors: Height off ground: raised deck 8+ feet requires more structural support adding $2,000-$5,000. Stairs: $150-$600 per stair section. Built-in seating or planters: $500-$2,000 each. Pergola or shade structure: $3,000-$10,000 addition. Railing type: cable railing premium $150-$250/linear foot versus wood $30-$60. Permit: required in most areas, $100-$300. Old deck removal: $500-$2,000.
Deck ROI at resale 2026: Wood deck: cost $10,000, adds $6,500-$7,500 = 65-75% ROI. Composite deck: cost $15,000, adds $9,750-$11,250 = 65-75% ROI. Similar ROI percentage for both materials. Best ROI when: home does not already have outdoor living space, backyard is primary entertaining area, market values outdoor space. Lower ROI in: cold climates where outdoor living is seasonal.
Total cost comparison over 20 years for 300 sq ft deck: Pressure-treated wood: install $6,000 + staining × 7 $350 = $8,450 + potential board replacement $2,000 = $10,450 total. Composite deck: install $10,000 + cleaning only $0 = $10,000 total. Composite is comparable long-term cost with superior appearance and no maintenance. Choose composite if: you hate maintenance and plan to keep the home long-term.
DIY deck savings potential: Labor is 40-60% of total deck cost. Savings from DIY: $3,000-$8,000 on average deck. DIY feasibility: ground-level deck on flat surface: achievable for experienced DIYer. Elevated deck 8+ feet: structural complexity warrants professional. Required regardless: building permit, inspection at footings and framing. Resources: Trex and TimberTech offer free deck planning tools.
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