What the calculator assumes
A rectangular deck attached to a house, framed in pressure-treated pine whatever the decking. It counts materials with the same math as the deck material calculator, set like this:
- Deck boards 5.5 inches wide with a 1/8 inch gap, and 10 percent waste
- Joists 16 inches on center, with a hanger on each
- One beam made of two boards, on posts no more than 8 feet apart. A deck 16 feet deep or more gets two beams.
To change any of those, use the deck material calculator. It has the same price boxes.
How it works
- Decking = boards × board length × price per foot
- Framing = feet of joists, ledger, rim and beam boards × price per foot
- Hardware = posts × post price + joists × hanger price + boxes of screws × box price
- Materials cost = decking + framing + hardware, each line rounded to the dollar
- Labor = deck area × labor rate per square foot
- Built by a contractor = materials cost + labor, worked with the low rate and the high rate
Example: a 16 by 12 foot deck in pressure-treated pine. It takes 29 deck boards 16 feet long, so decking is 29 × 16 × $0.95 = $441. The 13 joists are 12 feet long, so they cost 13 × 12 × $2.13 = $332. The ledger and rim board are 32 × $2.13 = $68, and the two beam boards are another $68. Framing is $468 in all. Three posts are 3 × $42.49 = $127, 13 hangers are 13 × $3.39 = $44, and the 744 screws fit in one box at $41. That is $212 of hardware. Materials come to $441 + $468 + $212 = $1,121.
The deck is 192 square feet. Labor at $15 to $35 per square foot is $2,880 to $6,720. Built by a contractor, the deck comes to about $4,001 to $7,841.
Pressure-treated, cedar or composite
The decking is the part you see, and it is where the three choices differ. The frame underneath costs the same. This is the 16 by 12 foot deck from the example with each kind of board.
| Decking | Board price | Decking | All materials | Built by a contractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $0.95 a foot | $441 | $1,121 | $4,001 to $7,841 |
| Cedar | $2.47 a foot | $1,146 | $1,826 | $4,706 to $8,546 |
| Composite | $2.94 a foot | $1,364 | $2,044 | $4,924 to $8,764 |
Composite boards may need the maker's own screws or clips. Those are not priced here, so check what your boards call for.
Where the prices come from
The starting prices come from the store listings and cost guides under Sources, last checked in October 2026. Prices vary by region and season, so change any price to match your store or your quote.
The labor rate comes from HomeAdvisor, which puts deck building labor at $15 to $35 per square foot. It lists framing as an extra $9 to $12 per square foot of labor, so ask what a quote includes. If you have a quote, divide the labor part by the deck area and enter that number.
What the estimate leaves out
- Concrete for the footings. The concrete footing calculator counts the bags.
- Railing and stairs. The building code requires a railing when the deck is more than 30 inches off the ground.
- Ledger bolts, flashing, stain or sealer, permits, delivery and tax.
That is why a full quote runs higher than this estimate. HomeAdvisor reports that most homeowners spend between $4,339 and $12,653 on a new deck, with an average of $8,321.
Common questions
How much does a 12x16 deck cost?
About $1,121 in materials for pressure-treated pine at the starting prices, and about $4,001 to $7,841 built by a contractor. Railing, stairs and concrete are extra. Prices vary by region and season.
How much does a deck cost per square foot?
For the 12x16 example, materials are about $6 per square foot in pressure-treated pine. With labor at $15 to $35 per square foot, a contractor-built deck is about $21 to $41 per square foot before railing and stairs.
Is composite decking more expensive than wood?
Yes, for the boards. At the listings we checked, a composite board was $2.94 a foot, cedar was $2.47 and pressure-treated pine was $0.95. On a 12x16 deck that is $1,364 of composite decking against $441 of treated pine. The frame costs the same.
How much does labor cost to build a deck?
HomeAdvisor puts it at $15 to $35 per square foot. For a 12x16 deck that is $2,880 to $6,720.
Does the estimate include railing and stairs?
No. It covers deck boards, framing lumber, posts, joist hangers and screws. Use the baluster spacing and deck stair calculators to plan those parts.
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Sources
- McCoy's Building Supply: deck board prices, treated pine and composite
- McCoy's Building Supply: 5/4 x 6 x 16 western red cedar deck board
- McCoy's Building Supply: pressure-treated lumber and post prices
- McCoy's Building Supply: Simpson Strong-Tie LUS210Z joist hanger
- McCoy's Building Supply: deck screws, #10 x 2-1/2 in, box of 1,000
- HomeAdvisor: cost to build a deck, with labor rates
- International Residential Code 2021, Chapter 3: landings and stairs (R311.3, R311.7) and guards (R312)
Facts on this page were last checked against these sources in October 2026.