Deck Cost Calculator
Use this deck cost calculator to estimate the cost to build a deck, plan deck installation, or compare deck repair and deck replacement options. For a typical project, deck cost starts at about $3 per sq ft for clean and seal work and goes up to about $62 per sq ft for a new PVC install, before optional stairs or railing.
Estimate deck cost
Rough guide based on US averages. Real quotes vary by site, finish and contractor.
Railing is priced per linear foot. Leave it at 0 if you do not need a rail.
Estimates are indicative only. For an accurate price, get free quotes from local contractors above.
Deck Price Breakdown
Typical job based on 200 sq ft. Prices are supply-and-install midpoints — actual quotes will vary.
| Type | Cost per sq ft | Typical 200 sq ft job |
|---|---|---|
| Clean and seal | $3 | $600 |
| Sand and restain | $6 | $1,200 |
| Replace boards and restain | $12 | $2,400 |
| Pressure-treated pine (timber) | $35 | $7,000 |
| Cedar (timber) | $42 | $8,400 |
| Composite (composite) | $55 | $11,000 |
| PVC (composite) | $62 | $12,400 |
What Affects Deck Cost?
- Project type: The biggest pricing difference is whether you are restoring an existing deck or starting a new install. Restore work runs from $3 to $12 per sq ft, while new deck installation ranges from $35 per sq ft for pressure-treated pine to $62 per sq ft for PVC.
- Decking material: Material choice has a major impact on deck installation cost. A new timber deck costs $35 per sq ft for pressure-treated pine or $42 per sq ft for cedar, while composite deck installation is $55 per sq ft and PVC is $62 per sq ft.
- Repairs before refinishing: If the deck needs repair during a restore project, add $3 per sq ft on top of the selected finish tier. For example, replacing boards and restaining is $12 per sq ft, and repair needs can push the effective total higher.
- Size and add-ons: Larger decks increase total cost because pricing is based on square footage. Stairs add $1,200 per flight. Railing is $40 per linear foot, so 40 feet of rail adds $1,600. Minimum charges of $400 for restore work and $3,500 for a new install may apply to small jobs.
- Elevated framing, haul-away, and permits: Haul-away of an old deck is often about $5 to $10 per square foot, and building permits are often $100 to $500. An elevated deck with deep footings costs more than a ground-level platform. These costs are not included in the calculator estimate.
Deck Cost - Frequently Asked Questions
For a typical 200 sq ft project, pressure-treated pine costs about $7,000, cedar costs about $8,400, composite costs about $11,000, and PVC costs about $12,400. These figures cover standard framing, boards, fasteners, and labor. Stairs and railing are extra.
Composite deck installation is priced at $55 per sq ft. For a 200 sq ft deck, that works out to about $11,000 before add-ons. Stairs are $1,200 per flight, and railing is $40 per linear foot. This pricing includes capped composite boards, fasteners, frame, and labor.
Restore pricing starts at $3 per sq ft for clean and seal, $6 per sq ft for sand and restain, and $12 per sq ft for replace boards and restain. If the deck needs repair as part of a restore job, add $3 per sq ft on top of the finish rate. Small restore jobs are subject to a $400 minimum charge.
If your deck only needs surface work, a restore option like clean and seal at $3 per sq ft or sand and restain at $6 per sq ft may be enough. If boards are worn, the replace boards and restain tier is $12 per sq ft, plus $3 per sq ft if additional repair is needed. Full deck replacement makes more sense when the structure is beyond a simple restore and you need a completely new install starting at $35 per sq ft.
The calculator uses the midpoint price for your selected service and shows an estimate range of plus or minus 20 percent. For example, a 200 sq ft pressure-treated pine deck has a midpoint of $7,000, so the displayed range would be about $5,600 to $8,400. Minimum job charges are $400 for restore work and $3,500 for new installs when calculated totals fall below those amounts.
Stairs add $1,200 per flight. Railing is $40 per linear foot, so 40 feet of rail adds $1,600. A 200 sq ft composite deck is about $11,000 before those add-ons.