Adjust the project details below to build a practical planning range. Then use the sections underneath to understand what can move the final price.
Estimate a planning range for a new deck based on square footage, material, height and local cost level.
Calculate your deck construction range
Railings, stairs, footings, sloped yards, permits and second-story construction can raise the final price.
2026 U.S. deck benchmark
Angi reports professional deck construction commonly running about $30 to $60 per square foot in 2026, with many total projects between roughly $4,339 and $12,652. Material, elevation, access and design complexity are major cost drivers.
How Our Deck Estimate Is Calculated
The tool starts with the broad $30–$60 per square foot professional construction benchmark in Angi’s September 24, 2026 deck building report. It multiplies this baseline by your deck area and then applies simple planning factors for material, structural complexity and U.S. market level. The material factors (0.85 for pressure-treated wood, 1.00 for cedar/standard wood, 1.25 for composite, 1.50 for premium) and complexity factors (0.90, 1.00 or 1.30) are illustrative assumptions; they are not independent contractor quotes or proven differences for every market.
Worked Example: 200 Sq Ft Ground-Level Pressure-Treated Deck
Using a 200 sq ft deck, pressure-treated material (0.85), simple ground-level complexity (0.90), and national market (1.00), the formula produces approximately $4,600–$9,200. The unadjusted 200 × $30–$60 baseline would give $6,000–$12,000. The lower pressure-treated scenario is not a promise that the entire structure, permit, railing, stairs, access or site preparation will cost that amount. A pressure-treated deck can still require expensive footings, drainage and structural work.
What can push deck costs higher?
Second-story construction, stairs, extensive railings, sloped sites, custom shapes, premium materials, demolition, permits and difficult access all add labor and structural complexity.
Reference: Angi — Deck Building Cost, 2026.
Deck cost FAQ
How much does a deck cost per square foot?
A broad professional construction range is around $30 to $60 per square foot, with material and structural complexity driving much of the difference.
Why are elevated decks more expensive?
They require more structural support, safety detailing, access work and often more complex railings and stairs.
How to use your deck estimate
Enter the planned deck area, select the closest decking material, and choose a complexity level that reflects whether the project is ground-level, attached, elevated, or structurally complex. Use the result as a planning range before requesting local bids.
Deck contractor quote checklist
- Deck dimensions and total square footage
- Framing and decking materials
- Footings, posts, beams, and ledger details
- Railings and stair scope
- Flashing and water-management details
- Permits and inspections
- Demolition, disposal, and cleanup
Example: planning a 200 sq ft deck
A simple 200 sq ft ground-level deck can be much less complex than an elevated deck of the same size. Railings, stairs, premium materials, and difficult site access can increase the total even when the square footage does not change.
Related deck guides: 200 Sq Ft Deck Cost · 300 Sq Ft Deck Cost · All calculators