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Deck Cost Calculator

Materials, framing, posts, railing, stairs, and labor. Plus a 10-year cost-of-ownership comparison across all 5 deck materials.

Estimated total
$8,412–$15,382
Deck
192 sq ft · Composite
Project details
Deck dimensions

Ground-level

Total area192 sq ft
Decking material
Composite (Trex, TimberTech) — Wood-plastic blend. No staining needed, just occasional cleaning. 25–30 year warranty. Most popular mid-range choice.
Lifespan: ~28 yrsNo re-staining needed

Optional override

Board orientation
Framing (auto-calculated)
Estimated: 8 posts/footings · 13 joists at 12' long
Railing

Auto: 44 lf (perimeter minus stairs)

Stairs

Each step adds ~$75–$200

Standard: 4 ft

Extras
Labor

Cost breakdown

Materials, labor, and extras for your selected configuration.
Composite decking + framing · 192 sq ft × $13/sq ft$1,901 – $3,802
Posts & footings · 8 × $60–$150$480 – $1,200
Composite railing · 44 lf$2,200 – $3,520
Stairs · 3 steps × 4' wide$225 – $600
Building permit$150 – $500
Pro labor · 192 sq ft × $18–$30/sq ft$3,456 – $5,760
Total project cost$8,412 – $15,382

10-year cost of ownership

Your same deck specs across all 5 materials. Includes maintenance over 10 years.
MaterialUpfront10-yr maint.Total
PT$10,447+ $2,880$13,327
Cedar$11,446+ $1,152$12,598
CompositeYOUR PICK$11,897+ $106$12,002
PVC$13,020+ $67$13,087
Hardwood$15,698+ $2,880$18,578
💡 Maintenance includes stain/seal cycles for wood decks. Composite & PVC need almost nothing.

Shopping list

Major materials for your deck.
  • Composite (Trex, TimberTech) decking boards~192 sq ft + 10% waste
  • 2×8 joists (PT lumber)13 × 12'
  • 6×6 PT posts8
  • 2×8 or 2×10 beams4
  • Concrete for footings (80 lb bags)16
  • Joist hangers26
  • Hurricane ties / post connectors16
  • Deck screws / fasteners (5 lb boxes)2
  • Composite railing kit44 lf
  • Stair stringers (PT)3
Ready to start?
Compare composite (trex, timbertech)options at Home Depot, Lowe's, or your local lumberyard.
Shop now →

How to use this calculator

Start with deck dimensions and height off the ground. Pick your decking material — pressure-treated, cedar, composite, PVC, or hardwood — and the calculator shows the full breakdown: decking, framing, posts, hardware, railing, stairs, finish, and labor.

The 10-Year Cost of Ownership view is the secret weapon: composite looks expensive until you factor in 5 cycles of stain on a pressure-treated deck.

Pro tips

Get the substructure right. The deck you see is just the boards on top. Most of the cost and labor is in the joists, beams, posts, and footings. Cheap framing under expensive decking is a bad trade.

Composite isn't always more expensive.Pressure-treated wood needs staining every 2 years — about $2–$4 per sq ft each cycle. Over 10 years, that's another $10–$20 per sq ft on top of materials. Composite is closer to $0.50/sq ft total maintenance over the same period.

Always pull a permit. Decks attached to your house typically require a permit ($150–$500). Skipping it can cause issues at resale and possibly insurance claims.

Hire pro for elevated decks.Anything more than 30" off the ground requires permits, code-specific railing, and structural engineering. DIY is realistic for ground-level (under 30") platform decks; professional install is a smart call for anything higher.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a 12×16 deck cost?▾
Materials only: pressure-treated runs $1,500–$3,000, composite $2,500–$5,500, PVC $3,500–$7,000. With professional installation: PT $4,000–$8,000, composite $7,000–$13,000, PVC $9,000–$16,000. Add 25–40% for elevated decks, multi-level, or complex shapes.
Pressure-treated vs. composite: which is cheaper long-term?▾
Composite over 10 years. Pressure-treated wood needs staining every 2 years (5 cycles × $2–$4/sq ft = $10–$20/sq ft). Composite needs almost nothing ($0.30–$0.80/sq ft total). For a 200 sq ft deck, that's $2,000–$4,000 in maintenance for PT vs. $60–$160 for composite. The calculator shows this comparison live.
How long do different deck materials last?▾
Pressure-treated wood: 15–25 years with regular maintenance. Cedar: 20–30 years. Composite: 25–30+ years (most warranties are 25 years). PVC: 25–50 years. Tropical hardwoods (ipe, mahogany): 25–50+ years.
Do I need a permit for a deck?▾
Most municipalities require a permit for decks attached to a house, decks more than 30 inches off the ground, or decks larger than 200 sq ft. Permit fees run $150–$500. Free-standing ground-level platform decks under 200 sq ft often don't require permits — but always verify with your local building department.
Can I build a deck myself?▾
Yes — for ground-level (under 30") platform decks of straightforward rectangular shape with someone helping. Plan on 2–4 weekends. For elevated, multi-level, or attached decks, professional install is much safer (and often required for permit approval). Composite and PVC are easier than hardwood for DIY.
What's the standard deck board spacing?▾
Most deck boards are installed with a 1/8" gap (about the width of a nickel) for drainage and to allow for wood expansion. Some composite manufacturers specify 1/4" gaps. The calculator factors typical waste from these gaps and end cuts (about 10%).
How many footings does a deck need?▾
One footing per support post. Posts are typically spaced 6–8 feet apart along beam lines. A 12×16 deck might have 4–6 footings; larger or higher decks need more. Each footing needs about 1–2 cubic feet of concrete (or 1–2 80 lb bags of pre-mix).
Disclaimer. This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes. Actual material quantities and costs vary by site conditions, span tables, local code, and pricing. Always consult a licensed contractor and your local building department for precise project quotes and permit requirements.