The average cost to build a deck is about $7,200. This uses a lot of materials, but you can do it yourself or hire someone else to help you. If you’re building a 12×12 square foot deck on concrete blocks and want it to last 20 years, expect to spend around $3,500 in materials alone.
Building a deck can be an overwhelming process. The materials, the tools, and the expertise required are all a lot to take in at once. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. The first thing you’ll need is a plan. If you’re planning to build your deck yourself, then we recommend sketching out what kind of deck you want on paper first. Then, once you have an idea of what shape and size your deck will be, head over to our website and check out our selection of materials and tools that will work best for your project.
Once you’ve figured out what kind of deck material will work best for your project (and budget), it’s time to get building. Check out our guide on how to install composite decking for more info on how to do this step-by-step. The most important thing about building a deck is making sure that you don’t rush through any steps along the way—take your time and do everything right so that it lasts for years and years.
How much does it cost to build a deck yourself?
Let’s start with the basics. How much does it cost to build a deck yourself?
The best way to find out is by looking at your available materials and labor costs, as well as your budget for hiring someone else to do the job. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some general guidelines from USATODAY.com:
- A basic deck—8-by-10 feet—can run about $2,000 in materials alone if all you need is lumber (which is typically about $400 per 1,000 square feet).
- To get a professional finish on the wood before staining or painting it yourself can add anywhere from $200-$350 extra depending on how elaborate your design is and how many coats of finish paint you plan on applying.
And what if I want my friends over for dinner outside? How much does it cost to hire a builder in that case? The best way would probably be through word of mouth or online reviews so that we can have peace of mind knowing who we’re dealing with before making our final decision about who gets hired first.
What is the cheapest way to build a deck?
There are many ways to build a deck. You can use the materials and tools you have, or you can purchase a kit. It’s possible that your local lumber store will have salvaged lumber, which is typically sold at a discounted price because it hasn’t been treated or kiln-dried yet. You should also consider using pressure-treated lumber, composite materials (such as Trex), or recycled plastic boards.
In addition to the type of material used in your deck’s construction, there are other factors that will affect its cost:
- size of your deck
- complexity of its design
How much does it cost to build a 12×12 deck?
The cost of a 12×12 deck will vary depending on the material used, the size of the canopy, and where you live. In this article, we’ll break down what factors affect price and how they can impact your budget.
Materials: The first major factor in calculating your total project cost is materials. For example, wood is more expensive than composite materials like fiberglass or vinyl that are popular alternatives because it’s more durable over time. If you opt for a cheaper option like aluminum railings instead of steel ones then there might be noticeable differences in quality between manufacturers so make sure to do some research before committing yourself too closely to one particular choice or brand name just yet.
How much does it cost to build a 20×20 deck?
The average cost for a 20×20 deck is between $12,000 and $15,000. The average cost per square foot for a 20×20 deck is approximately $100. If you want to know how much it will cost to build your own deck, simply multiply the square footage of your project by its price per square foot. In this example, we’re using an 8-foot height and 4-foot overhang—the most common measurements in residential construction—which means our 20×20 deck costs about $2,400 more than one that’s 16 feet wide and 12 feet long (128 sq ft).
How much does it cost per sq ft?
The average cost per sq ft for a deck is $4.50 to $5.00, but that can vary based on the size of the deck, materials used and where you live (materials can be more expensive in certain areas). For example, decks built with cedar wood typically cost between $3.50 and $5.00 per square foot while composite materials like Trex are generally priced between $3 and $5 per square foot.
Can I get a tax credit for building a deck?
Did you know that you can get a tax credit for building a deck? If you hire a contractor to build your deck, he or she will be able to take advantage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. This act allows contractors to deduct 20% of the cost of construction materials from their gross income, up to $1,000 for qualifying expenses for homeowners who are eligible for this deduction. In addition, if you hire a licensed contractor and he or she uses all new material in the construction process instead of salvaging some from your property, then there is an additional 10% credit on up to $5K worth of materials used (this means that if you spend $10K total on building your deck this year, anywhere between $2-4K will be tax deductible).
Can I put deck on the ground?
A deck is an excellent addition to your home, but there are some things you should consider before you begin. First, it’s important to understand that a deck is supported by posts and beams. These support the joists and brackets that hold up the decking boards. If a deck isn’t properly supported it could collapse or even worse fall on someone who walks under it.
To make sure this doesn’t happen, there are several ways of supporting your decking:
- Post bases and post anchors (for non-braced posts)
- Braces (joists running perpendicular to joists)
- Beams (joist tops resting on top of posts)
The average price ranges from $11,000 – $15,000.
The average cost of a 12×12 deck is roughly $11,000, while the average cost of a 20×20 deck is about $15,000. The average price per square foot for these two sizes ranges from $250 – $300. You can build the deck on the ground or stilts (as described above). You could also choose to build it in your house’s existing walls or add onto an existing structure without changing its appearance at all. There are tax credits available for homeowners who build their own decks and then use them as sleeping quarters for at least 30 nights in any calendar year between 1/1/2019 – 12/31/2024
Labor costs.
Labor costs. The second largest cost for building a deck is labor. It’s also the most difficult to predict because it depends on several factors, including the size of your deck, its complexity (such as whether or not you’re adding an arbor or pergola), location, and materials. Labor estimates vary widely depending on these factors, so there’s no single number that can be used to determine what your job will cost. However, here are some general guidelines to get you started:
- For smaller decks under 200 sq ft, expect to spend between $10-$15 per square foot for labor costs (or about $2-$3 per linear foot). This includes site preparation and installation of joists/rafters and beams if necessary; framing walls and posts; installing railings; building stairs; laying decking boards; building steps; attaching railing posts with screws/nails and staining or sealing all wooden components after they’ve dried completely—which may take up to 48 hours before use.
- If you include complex features such as gazebos or pergolas that require more specialized workmanship than simple decks do (such as carpenters who specialize in these types of structures), then expect higher labor costs. * In rural areas where contractors have less competition from other builders offering similar services at similar prices.
DIY labor costs.
You can save a lot of money by doing your own labor. A typical deck is going to take around 50-100 hours of work, depending on the size and complexity of your project. If you’re willing to put in this time, you’ll be able to cut your costs significantly. Let’s say that you can find a handyman or contractor who will charge $50 per hour for their labor (this would be cheap). The cost per square foot of your 12×12 deck would look like this:
$500 + $10 * 12 * 12 = $1,440
Permits and insurance.
The cost of building a deck depends on the size and materials that you choose, but it’s also important to consider how much of the labor you want to do yourself. For example, if you hire someone to help with construction and cleaning, then your total cost will be higher than if you did all the work yourself.
The average cost of building a deck is about $7,200. That includes everything from permits and insurance costs (which vary based on where you live) to drainage systems for rainwater runoff. If this seems like too much money for your project budget right now. We actually have some tips on how to save money when building your own home improvement projects later in this article.
The average cost of a 4×8 deck is about $4,000 while an 8×16 deck will usually run between $8-$10k depending on where they’re located within city limits or outside them (surrounding suburbs). A 6×12 foot unit costs around $7200 at minimum–but most contractors charge extra fees after their initial quote gets accepted…so make sure before signing anything.
Materials for a deck.
Materials like decking, railing, and posts are all included in the cost of building a deck. If you want to use high-end materials like composite decking or stainless steel railings and posts, add an additional $1-$4 per square foot for these products.
- Decking: The cost of building a standard 6×12 foot pressure treated wood deck ranges from $16-$30 per square foot.
- Rails: The average cost for custom made stainless steel railings ranges from $3-$8 per linear foot (about 1/2″ thick).
- Posts: The average cost of installing pressure treated 4x4s is about $20 each (includes labor) if they are set into concrete pads or directly into the ground using post hole diggers (this will vary greatly based on soil type).
If you need more information on any of these topics please see our article “How Much Does It Cost To Build A Deck?”
Pressure-treated wood for a deck.
Pressure-treated wood for a deck:
- Pressure-treated wood is made from pine or fir, and it’s resistant to water, rot, and insects. This makes it an affordable choice for your new deck (especially if you have kids), but pressure-treated wood isn’t sustainable. The chemicals used in the process can leach into the soil around your house and even enter your drinking water system if rainwater enters one of these treated boards.
Composite lumber for a deck.
Composite lumber is made from recycled wood, which means it’s usually cheaper than the real thing. It can also be more durable and lighter than traditional hardwood decking, making it easier to work with as well. Composite boards are typically cut from a combination of high-strength fibers and plastic resin, so they’ll stand up to moisture better than regular wood.
Redwood lumber for a deck.
Redwood is a softwood, but it’s also expensive. Redwood lumber is available in dimensional sizes from 2×4 to 2×12 and can be used for many of your deck project needs.
Wood has several advantages over steel as a building material for decks:
- Wood is more durable than other materials because it does not corrode or rust like metals do. This means that you won’t have to worry about excessive maintenance when using wood decking materials.
- Wood is resistant to rot and decay, making it suitable for outdoor use where moisture is present. The natural oils in the wood prevent them from rotting too quickly when exposed to the elements over time.
Cedar lumber for a deck.
Cedar is a soft wood, which means it can be easily damaged by insects and weather. This also makes cedar more susceptible to rot than other types of lumber. It’s light-weight and easy to work with, making cedar a good choice if you’re doing construction on your own or you need to reuse old materials.
Cedar is not as durable as some other types of wood; however, it can be treated with preservatives that prevent decay and weathering damage. If you choose this option when building your deck, keep in mind that preservatives will add cost (and time) to the project because they require regular reapplications over time.
Ipe wood for a deck.
Ipe wood is a very hard, dense, and durable Brazilian hardwood that has been used in decking for many years. It is resistant to rotting and insects. Ipe looks great and will not fade or rot like other woods such as cedar.
The cost of building a deck using ipe varies from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on the size of your deck. The quality of ipe used can also affect the price so make sure you use high-quality materials when you build your new deck with ipe wood.
The average cost to build a deck is about $7,200
The average cost to build a deck is $7,200. On the lower end of that cost range, you can expect to pay around $11,000 for a small (50 linear feet) deck. On the higher end, it could be as much as $15,000 for a larger (200 linear feet) deck with brick pavers and intricate railings.
The price also depends on what material you use: composite or cedar? Treated lumber or aluminum? Your choice of materials will impact both the lifespan and appearance of your new deck. And finally, labor costs vary depending on who builds it—a professional contractor will charge more than a handyman or weekend warrior would charge because they have expertise in building structures like decks that aren’t easy projects for DIYers who lack experience in this area.
Conclusion
The average cost to build a deck is about $7,200.
