What is the Average Cost to Build a Deck?

Is your next home improvement project building or upgrading your outdoor deck? If so, you’ve come to the right place. An upgraded or brand-new deck can spruce up any outdoor living space and increase its market value. Of course, like any home improvement project, there is a larger upfront cost to building a deck, even if it makes more sense financially in the long run.

Keep reading to learn more about the average cost of building a deck—and how you can maximize your savings.

Factors that Influence How Much a Deck Costs?

So, just how much does a deck cost?

The truth is, there is no single easy answer to that question.

That said, the average price range can vary depending on factors like the following:

Updates

You might think that updating an old deck is much more affordable than building a totally new deck. However, updating even seemingly robust existing decks can quickly become expensive. Securing new fasteners and replacing rotten joists, for example, can cost several hundred dollars, even thousands of dollars. Furthermore, only updating joists and fasteners delays the inevitable replacement of old boards and support beams. That is why we always recommend fully replacing decks to save time and money in the long run as well as to fully ensure the stability of your deck.

Deck Size

How large your deck is (in square footage) is one of the largest determining factors in terms of how much a new deck will cost. For instance, it costs more to update or create a 30 square-foot deck than a 20 square-foot deck.

Add-Ons

Railings, pergolas, fire pits, hot tubs, outdoor kitchens, and more are all great additions to any deck. That said, these additions will add to the total average cost of your deck.

Type of Deck

The type of deck you’re building will also influence costs. For example, a ground-level deck typically costs less than a floating deck, freestanding deck, or multi-level deck.

Deck Installation Costs

Professional deck building isn’t free, so you need to add labor costs to your deck installation project, unless you feel prepared to tackle your own DIY deck project. In the United States, deck contractor labor costs often start at $20/square foot.

Building Permit Fees

If your deck is over a certain size (which varies by location), you may have to submit your deck design for approval from the city or town you live in. An advantage to using Fence & Deck Depot to construct your deck is our knowledge of local building codes. In fact, we navigate the complicated waters of building codes on your behalf by attaining your building permit before we begin building your deck.

Decking Material Costs

The types of materials you use will also influence pricing, both in terms of upfront costs and long-term maintenance fees. Popular options include:

Composite materials like Timbertech or Trex, or vinyl materials like Azek, are incredibly popular, and for good reason: they come in a wide variety of colors and textures, mimicking the feel of real wood while being much more durable. Perhaps the best benefit of composite decking, however, is that upkeep costs are low—and ours come with 25, 30, and even 50-year warranties!
If you are looking to save more money upfront, you may find that classic, natural wood deck boards are for you. Fortunately, many types of wood decking today (including those that we distribute) are made of pressure-treated wood, making it more resilient against the elements than untreated boards.
If price is no objection, exotic hardwood like redwood or ipe are gorgeous options that add class to any living space.
If durability and low maintenance costs are most important to you, a vinyl or PVC deck could be just what you’ve been looking for.

The Cost of Building a New Deck

As you can see, the total cost of building a new deck can vary widely based on factors like the type of deck you want and how large it is. That said, the national average cost of building a new composite deck without any add-ons typically runs homeowners between $12,500 on the low end and $25,000 or more on the high end.

Helping You Get the Right Deck

Building a deck can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be.

And it isn’t when you partner with us—that’s our guarantee.

We work with you at every stage of the process, offering you our guidance, top-notch materials, and quality labor while letting you make the final calls. No matter your goals or the scope of your home improvement projects, believe us when we say that we know how to use our expertise to your benefit.

Our mission? To ensure that your deck is nothing short of fantastic.

Contact Us for All Your St. Louis Deck Installation Needs

Take the guesswork out of your deck-building endeavors.

We are happy to schedule a free, no-obligation estimate for your home at any time. Simply call us at (636) 425-3369 or fill out our contact form.