How Much Does a Deck Cost in 2026? (Real Per-Square-Foot Ranges)
Deck cost runs about $30–$60 per square foot for wood and $50–$110+ for composite in 2026, per Fixr and Angi data. Here are the real ranges by material, size, and finish.
By The WikEst Editorial Team · independent editorial research project
A new deck is one of the most common home additions — and one of the widest-ranging in price. National cost trackers (Fixr, Angi/HomeAdvisor) put installed deck cost at roughly $30–$60 per square foot for pressure-treated wood and $50–$110+ per square foot for composite in 2025–2026. A 12×16 ft (192 sq ft) wood deck therefore lands near $5,800–$11,500; a composite version of the same footprint runs about $9,600–$21,000.
1. Cost by material (per square foot, installed)
Material is the single biggest price driver. Pressure-treated wood is the low end, cedar and redwood sit in the middle, and composite or PVC sit at the top but need far less maintenance. Expect roughly: pressure-treated wood $30–$45/sq ft, cedar/redwood $40–$70/sq ft, composite $55–$110+/sq ft.
2. Cost by size
A 10×10 ft (100 sq ft) wood deck ≈ $3,000–$6,000; 12×16 ft (192 sq ft) ≈ $5,800–$11,500; 16×20 ft (320 sq ft) ≈ $9,600–$19,200; 20×20 ft (400 sq ft) ≈ $12,000–$24,000. Composite adds roughly 60–90% on top of the wood figure for the same footprint, before rails and stairs.
3. What pushes the price
Height and railings (a second-story deck needs more structure and a taller railing), stairs, built-in seating and pergolas, demolition of an old deck, and regional labor rates all move the number. A deck also usually needs a permit — most jurisdictions price building permits on a valuation basis of about $5–$15 per $1,000 of project value, as covered in our permit cost guide. Use the permit checker to confirm whether your deck is permit-required before pricing it.
4. Wood vs composite: the real tradeoff
Composite costs more up front but avoids annual staining and sealing and resists rot and insects. Over a 10–15 year horizon the maintenance savings can erase much of the price gap, especially in wet climates. The right pick depends on your budget now and how long you plan to stay.