Deck Build Cost Calculator
Enter your deck area, pick a framing material (or set your own price per square foot), add railing and permit costs, and this deck build cost calculator returns a full low-to-high estimate for new deck construction — framing, decking, railing, and permits.
Choosing a material tier fills in a typical installed rate, which you can edit. Railing is priced at $45 per linear foot.
Estimates only — not financial advice. This calculator gives approximate figures for planning. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice; check with a qualified professional before making decisions.
How the deck build cost calculator works
New deck framing and decking is priced by the square foot because almost every cost — footings, posts, joists, boards, fasteners, and labor — scales with area. The material tier sets that per-square-foot rate: pressure-treated is the budget workhorse, cedar sits in the middle, and composite roughly doubles wood while eliminating staining.
Railing is separate because it prices by the linear foot ($45/ft here covers posts, balusters, and a top rail), and permit and design fees are a flat charge that does not scale with size. The ±15% range covers labor-market differences, stairs, footings, and soil conditions.
base = area × rate + railing × $45 + permit · low = base × 0.85, high = base × 1.15
Related tools
Keep exploring: Deck Replacement Cost Calculator · Deck Material List Calculator · Deck Post Spacing Calculator.
Deck build cost calculator FAQ
How much does it cost to build a deck?
Roughly $25–$60 per square foot for new construction depending on material: a 320 sq ft pressure-treated deck runs about $8,000–$10,000 before railing and permits, while composite on the same footprint runs about $19,000–$23,000. Enter your numbers above for your range.
Wood vs composite for a new deck build?
Pressure-treated wood costs roughly half of composite up front and needs staining every 2–3 years; composite costs about double but needs almost no maintenance and lasts 25–30 years. The lifetime cost often lands close over 15+ years.
How much does deck railing cost?
About $45 per linear foot installed for wood railing, covering posts, balusters, and the top rail — so 40 ft of railing adds roughly $1,800. Metal or cable rail systems can run $80–$150 per foot.
Do I need a permit to build a deck?
In most US municipalities, yes for decks over a certain height (often 30 inches) or attached to the house. Permits plus a simple plan typically run $200–$1,000; the default here is $500.
What is the cost per square foot by material?
Typical installed rates: pressure-treated $20–$30, cedar $30–$45, composite $50–$70 per square foot. Labor markets move these ±20%, so edit the rate field to match local quotes.