Deck Building Cost Estimator

Quote a deck with your own prices: decking per ft² plus waste, framing and footings, railing per foot, stairs, labor, permit, markup and tax.

Length × width of the deck surface.
%
About 10% for boards laid square; 15% or more for diagonal or picture-frame layouts.
$per ft² of deck
Wood or composite boards and fasteners. Example rate — enter your own.
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$per ft² of deck
Joists, beams, posts, concrete, connectors and flashing. Example rate — enter your own.
Your rate is remembered on this device.
Open sides only. Codes generally require guards where the deck is more than 30 in above grade.
$per linear ft
Example rate — enter your own.
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$per step
Stringers, treads, risers, handrail and labor for each step. Example rate — enter your own.
Your rate is remembered on this device.
$per ft² of deck
Example rate — enter your own. Covers framing, decking and railing installation.
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$per ft²
Demolition and disposal. Leave at 0 if not needed.
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$per job
Most jurisdictions require a building permit for attached or raised decks. Check with your local building department.
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%
Added to direct costs (materials + labor + fees) to cover overhead and profit. Example rate — enter your own.
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%
Your combined state + local rate. Example rate — enter your own.
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Whether labor and services are taxable depends on your state. Check with your state revenue department.
Estimated TOTAL
$7,701.40
Decking to buy (incl. waste)
220.0
Decking (220 ft² incl. waste)
$1,320.00
Framing, footings & hardware
$1,000.00
Railing (30 ft)
$900.00
Labor
$2,400.00
Stairs (3 steps, installed)
$360.00
Old deck removal
$0.00
Permit & inspection
$250.00
Direct cost (before markup)
$6,230.00
Overhead & profit (20%)
$1,246.00
Subtotal
$7,476.00
Sales tax (7% on materials at cost)
$225.40
Cost per ft²
$38.51
Cost per m²
$414.49

Estimate generated with SortedSums: https://sortedsums.com/deck-cost-estimator/. For informational purposes only; verify before relying on it.

Estimate only. This tool is for informational and educational purposes. Results depend on your inputs and simplifying assumptions, and are not a substitute for professional engineering, design or financial advice. Always verify with a qualified professional and applicable codes before purchasing, building or making decisions.

How it’s calculated

Decking boards are bought for the deck area plus a cutting allowance. Framing and labor scale with the deck area, railing with its length and stairs with the number of steps.

Decking = area × (1 + waste%) × $/ft² Framing, labor, removal = area × their $/ft² Railing = length × $/ft; Stairs = steps × $/step TOTAL = (all lines + permit) × (1 + markup%) + tax

Example (default example rates): 200 ft² deck. Decking 220 ft² × $6 = $1,320; framing 200 × $5 = $1,000; railing 30 ft × $30 = $900; labor 200 × $12 = $2,400; 3 steps × $120 = $360; permit $250. Direct cost $6,230; +20% = $7,476; 7% tax on materials ($3,220) = $225.40. TOTAL = $7,701.40 (≈ $38.51/ft²).

This is a planning estimate only. It does not include anything not entered above, such as permits, inspections, engineering, site preparation, demolition or disposal (unless entered), access or equipment problems, regional surcharges, contingency or price changes. Get written quotes before committing. For decks that includes structural design (joist spans, footing sizes and ledger attachment must follow your local code), engineering for high or unusual decks, grading, lighting and finishes or stain.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a deck cost per square foot?

It depends mainly on the decking material (pressure-treated, cedar or composite), height, railing and local labor. Enter your supplier’s prices and your labor rate; the estimate shows cost per ft² so you can compare quotes.

Do I need a permit to build a deck?

Usually yes for decks attached to the house or more than about 30 in above the ground, but rules vary. Ask your local building department; the American Wood Council publishes a free prescriptive guide (DCA 6) that many jurisdictions accept.

How many decking boards do I need?

Use a deck boards calculator to turn the area into a board count for your board width and length. This estimator prices decking by area.

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Sources

Formulas are taken from the free public references above. Results are provided “as is” for informational and educational purposes only. See our disclaimer.

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