Tool-first calculator
Deck cost: size, material, stairs, and railing.
Priced from the cost index bill of materials: real framing and decking labor hours at your metro's BLS carpentry wage, materials at current prices, and the actual permit fee. Pick the build, set your dimensions, and see the installed number a fair bid should land near.
Independent FatBook v3 cost indexVerified permit/source data where availableReviewed by Leonard "Chuck" Thompson
National Average · Pressure-treated, new (on-grade)
$10,620
Range $9,557 to $11,765 · lowest realistic price $9,557
How to use this result
- The deck body scales on the index cost curve for your actual square footage. Fixed costs like footings, permits, and mobilization do not shrink with size, so small decks cost more per square foot.
- Replacement builds include tear-off and disposal of the old deck. If a new-build bid excludes demolition of an existing deck, that line comes on top.
- Composite costs more up front than pressure-treated and saves on staining and board replacement over the years. The right call depends on how long you plan to own the house.
Cost-index version: 2026-07-23. Read the FatBook methodology, or use the bid and true cost calculators for an installed bid check.
Data Sources Used On This Page
- Independent FatBook v3 cost index for deck cost calculator.
- BLS OEWS wage inputs (https://www.bls.gov/oes/) and FRED PPI material inflation (https://fred.stlouisfed.org/) references.
- Craftsman labor-hour references and contractor overhead benchmarks.
- Permit assumptions are included only where verified permit/source data is available.
Cost-index version: 2026-07-23
Updated: Jul 2026
Sources: BLS, Craftsman, FRED
Reviewed by: Leonard "Chuck" Thompson
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Cost index built by David Olson, Creator of the Cost Index & Permit Dataset · Methodology reviewed by Leonard "Chuck" Thompson, LC Thompson Construction Co., Owner (retired) · 2026-07-23