Get an accurate estimate for your new deck project
The calculator above uses installed cost ranges that reflect real 2026 U.S. market pricing. As a rule of thumb, plan on these per-square-foot totals (materials plus labor) for a typical 300–500 sq ft deck:
These ranges assume a ground-level to 2-ft-high deck on reasonably level ground. Add 20–40% for a second-story deck, stairs, and premium railing.
The estimate breaks your project into decking material, framing, railing, stairs, and labor. Framing is priced at roughly $6 per sq ft of structure — that covers pressure-treated joists, beams, and hardware, which typically run $3,000–$5,000 on a 400 sq ft deck. Labor is estimated at 30% of the subtotal; in most markets skilled deck crews bill $50–$90 per hour, and labor on a wood deck usually lands between $8 and $15 per sq ft of decking. The total is a planning number, not a bid — always confirm with at least three local contractors.
Size matters, but geometry matters more. A 300 sq ft square deck costs far less per sq ft than a 300 sq ft L-shaped deck because corners multiply framing and cutting labor. Height is the second biggest driver: every extra foot of elevation means more concrete footings, longer posts, more bracing, and a higher fall-protection standard for the railing. A 12-ft-tall second-story deck can cost nearly twice as much per sq ft as a ground-level platform for the same surface area.
Where you live moves the number by 15–40%. In the Northeast and coastal California, deck crews charge $70–$100 per hour and permits are strict, pushing a composite deck toward $45–$55 per sq ft. In the Southeast and Texas, labor is typically $45–$65 per hour, so the same composite deck lands closer to $35–$42 per sq ft. Lumber is cheaper near mills in the Pacific Northwest and Southeast; in the Mountain West, freight raises material prices 10–15%. Always ask for quotes from crews working in your zip code — national averages are only a starting point.
Framing and decking a simple ground-level deck is one of the most DIY-friendly home projects: a competent homeowner can save $5,000–$9,000 on a 400 sq ft deck by doing the work themselves. But raised decks, anything over 30 in. off the ground, decks attached to the house (which require proper ledger flashing and often a permit), and any composite installation (which has strict hidden-fastener and gapping rules for warranty validity) are better left to pros. If you DIY, budget $600–$1,200 for tools like a circular saw, drill/driver, level, and post-hole digger you may not already own.
The calculator above uses installed cost ranges that reflect real 2026 U.S. market pricing. As a rule of thumb, plan on these per-square-foot totals (materials plus labor) for a typical 300–500 sq ft deck:
These ranges assume a ground-level to 2-ft-high deck on reasonably level ground. Add 20–40% for a second-story deck, stairs, and premium railing.
The estimate breaks your project into decking material, framing, railing, stairs, and labor. Framing is priced at roughly $6 per sq ft of structure — that covers pressure-treated joists, beams, and hardware, which typically run $3,000–$5,000 on a 400 sq ft deck. Labor is estimated at 30% of the subtotal; in most markets skilled deck crews bill $50–$90 per hour, and labor on a wood deck usually lands between $8 and $15 per sq ft of decking. The total is a planning number, not a bid — always confirm with at least three local contractors.
Size matters, but geometry matters more. A 300 sq ft square deck costs far less per sq ft than a 300 sq ft L-shaped deck because corners multiply framing and cutting labor. Height is the second biggest driver: every extra foot of elevation means more concrete footings, longer posts, more bracing, and a higher fall-protection standard for the railing. A 12-ft-tall second-story deck can cost nearly twice as much per sq ft as a ground-level platform for the same surface area.
Where you live moves the number by 15–40%. In the Northeast and coastal California, deck crews charge $70–$100 per hour and permits are strict, pushing a composite deck toward $45–$55 per sq ft. In the Southeast and Texas, labor is typically $45–$65 per hour, so the same composite deck lands closer to $35–$42 per sq ft. Lumber is cheaper near mills in the Pacific Northwest and Southeast; in the Mountain West, freight raises material prices 10–15%. Always ask for quotes from crews working in your zip code — national averages are only a starting point.
Framing and decking a simple ground-level deck is one of the most DIY-friendly home projects: a competent homeowner can save $5,000–$9,000 on a 400 sq ft deck by doing the work themselves. But raised decks, anything over 30 in. off the ground, decks attached to the house (which require proper ledger flashing and often a permit), and any composite installation (which has strict hidden-fastener and gapping rules for warranty validity) are better left to pros. If you DIY, budget $600–$1,200 for tools like a circular saw, drill/driver, level, and post-hole digger you may not already own.
Start with the calculator to get a baseline number, then read the guides linked below for the decisions that matter most: material choice (pressure-treated vs. composite is the big one), deck height, railing, and stairs. Every guide on this site uses the same 2026 pricing basis, so the numbers stay consistent as you dig deeper. When you are ready to build, take your calculator total to three local contractors and ask them to explain any line item that differs by more than 15% — the explanation is usually where the real cost lives.