Deck Pricing
Adding a deck is a great way to expand your living area at a modest cost per square foot…
Adding a deck is a great way to expand your living area at a modest cost per square foot. According to the “Cost vs. Value Report” from “Remodeling” magazine, the national average cost to have a basic, all-pressure-treated wood deck professionally built is $31 per square foot.
But that $31 per square foot is only a reference point. Depending on how simple or extravagant your design is, will ultimately determine the cost of your deck.
Obviously, the size of your deck is a big factor in determining costs. Smaller decks cut down not only on the amount of decking you’ll use, but also the number of posts, piers, joists, screws, and metal connectors. Smaller decks take less time to build, too. So if you need to cut costs from your proposed deck project, try shaving a few square feet off the design.
The overall design affects cost, too. A square or rectangle deck is straightforward. Start adding curves, multiple levels, and herringbone decking patterns and you can tack another 30% to 50% onto your costs.
Your choice of materials is another variable that affects the cost of building a deck. Here are some common decking material and their prices:
Pressure-treated wood is generally the cheapest decking material you can find, but it’s usually made from inferior-grades of wood. A standard Pressure Treated deck would cost in the range of $25 to $35 per SF
Composite and other synthetic decking has the advantage of being virtually maintenance-free. Composite decks cost from $50 per SF.
Ipe and other tropical hardwoods are the luxury choice and they’ll last up to 50 years. Because ipe is so hard, installation goes slow. Cost is from $50 per square foot.
The really good news about establishing your deck budget is that there are many free deck cost estimators available online. Put in your dimensions, choose your materials, add a zip code and voila! You’ll get a good idea what your deck will cost in your area. Websites of deck part manufacturers and home improvement centers are good places to find deck cost estimators, some even have deck stair calculators, too. It’s a great way to kick off your project with a budget firmly in hand.