Deck Cost Calculator
Calculate your deck build cost by material, size, and features. Compare pressure-treated wood, composite, PVC, cedar, and hardwood — including 20-year lifetime cost and resale ROI.
Side-by-side comparison of all decking materials for your 300 sq ft deck.
20-year total cost of ownership including initial build, maintenance, and replacement. The true cost comparison of cheap vs. premium materials.
| Material | Initial Cost | 20-yr Maintenance | Replacement Cost | 20-yr Total | Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | $10,500 | None | None | $10,500 | $525/yr |
| PVC | $12,000 | None | None | $12,000 | $600/yr |
| Cedar | $9,600 | $7,200 | None | $16,800 | $840/yr |
| IPE Hardwood | $14,100 | $3,200 | None | $17,300 | $865/yr |
| Pressure-Treated Wood ✓ | $6,000 | $5,600 | $6,000 | $17,600 | $880/yr |
| Redwood | $11,100 | $7,200 | None | $18,300 | $915/yr |
How to Use This Deck Cost Calculator
Enter your deck size and material to get an instant cost estimate. Add features like railing, stairs, and lighting to build a complete project budget.
Quick Calculator
Enter Deck Size in square feet (a typical deck is 200–500 sq ft). Select your Decking Material — this is the biggest cost driver. Check any features you plan to include: railing (enter linear footage), stairs, built-in seating, and lighting. Results update instantly with total cost, cost per square foot, estimated value added, and ROI at resale.
Advanced: Material Comparison, Feature ROI, DIY Savings
Material Comparison shows all 6 materials side by side with upfront cost, maintenance requirements, and estimated value added. Feature Add-Ons ranks each feature by cost and ROI. DIY vs Pro shows realistic savings potential by material — wood is most DIY-friendly, IPE hardwood requires expert skill.
Pro: Lifetime Cost, Permits, ROI Analysis
Lifetime Cost compares all materials over 20 years including maintenance and replacement cycles — often the true differentiator between cheap and premium materials. Permit Requirements covers when permits are required, setback rules, and safety code basics. ROI Analysis uses Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value data to show real resale returns.
Deck Cost Formula
• Pressure-Treated Wood: $15–$25/sq ft
• Composite: $25–$45/sq ft
• PVC: $30–$50/sq ft
• Cedar: $25–$40/sq ft | Redwood: $30–$45/sq ft
• IPE Hardwood: $35–$60/sq ft
Feature Add-Ons:
• Railing: $20–$35 per linear foot
• Stairs: $1,000–$2,000 per flight
• Built-in Seating: $500–$2,000
• Lighting: $500–$3,000
• Pergola: $3,000–$10,000
Total Cost = Base Cost + Feature Costs
Value Added ≈ Total Cost × ROI Rate (62–70%)
20-Year Cost = Initial + (Maintenance Cycles × Annual Cost) + Replacement
Labor typically accounts for 40–60% of total deck cost. Material quality and regional labor rates are the two biggest variables. Urban areas and coastal markets often run 20–30% above national averages.
Example: 400 Sq Ft Composite Deck in Charlotte, NC
The Johnson family builds a backyard entertaining deck
| Deck Size | 400 sq ft |
| Material | Composite ($35/sq ft) |
| Base Cost | $14,000 |
| Railing (80 linear ft at $27/ft) | +$2,160 |
| Stairs (1 flight) | +$1,500 |
| Lighting | +$1,500 |
| Total Build Cost | $19,160 |
| 20-Year Maintenance | $0 (composite) |
| 20-Year Total Cost | $19,160 |
| Estimated Value Added (63%) | $12,071 |
| Permit | ~$400 |
| Timeline | 2–4 weeks build time |
Compared to pressure-treated wood at the same size ($8,000 build cost + $7,000 in 20-year maintenance = $15,000 lifetime), composite costs only $4,000 more over 20 years while looking better throughout and never requiring weekends spent sanding and re-staining.