How Much Does a Deck Cost?

“The 3 biggest things that affect the deck cost,” explains John the owner, “are the size of your deck, the material you use and the details you put into it.”

Most deck contractors price their decks on a per square foot price. Our average deck is about 400 square feet, or 20 feet long x 20 feet wide. Some homes are better suited for a more rectangular deck like a 16 x 24. Knowing that decks are usually priced by square feet can help you better speak the language of deck builders.

Of course a 20 x 30 deck will cost more than a 10 x 10 deck.

The average treated wood deck - sometimes called composite decking - regardless of who you choose to build it- and assuming it’s not just thrown together- will run between $20 -$25 per square foot, including deck rails and steps. Anything cheaper than this should be a real flag for you to question the materials they use and what the quality of the workmanship is like.  ( See our Lifetime Workmanship Guarantee here. )

The average price for composite decks run about 40% more than Pressure Treated, or $32-$36 per square foot. For a full description of the difference in materials, make sure to read the section called Which Deck Material Should You Choose

As you make your decisions, this may seem like a lot, but compare that to the cost of years of maintenance for a pressure treated wood deck.

A quote or estimate from Decks R Us includes everything. And we guarantee it won’t be one penny more when we are all finished. AND we give you this quote in writing. Make sure when considering any deck builder that the price or the quote includes everything and that it’s guaranteed not to jump by $1,300 by the time the final bill comes in, assuming there have been no additions or big changes to the design.

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John,

I just wanted to touch base with you and tell you how absolutely beautiful the deck is.  All our neighbors have commented on it and my parents came up this weekend and love it too.  The workmanship was so skilled and it was wonderful to see how much pride your builders take in their work.  This is the best investment we've made.  Just know that I have passed along your name/contact information to other friends at work who are also interested  in having decks done. 
Thank you so very much for the excellent service, skilled craftsmanship and working with us on pricing.

Lauren                                  

(We didn’t list their full names here on the site, but let us know if you want to talk these folks or any of our other past customers.)

Some Ball Park Prices on Options:

Benches to sit on and Storage Benches

Mahogany wood bench

Gray Azekdeck storage bench

Brownstone Azekdeck corner bench with planter boxes

Teak Monarch storage bench with planter boxes

Round Brownstone Azekdeck Bench with Lights

 

One of the best improvements you can make to your deck is to add benches;

Deck Lighting

Eyeball lights, Teardrop lights, Step lights and Cap lights.

Nebula Eyeball light	Malibu Eyeball light	Kitchler Teardrop light	Pyxis Step light
Malibu Step light	Kitchler Step Light	Aurora Cap light	Aurora Cap light

 

The Nebula and the Malibu eyeball lights mount on the side of the rail posts and shine down on the deck, They are great if you just want accent light, they come with a 7 watt bulb. These lights usually run between $55.-$65. each which includes wiring, installation, transformer…..etc.

The Kitchler Teardrop lights are much the same as the Eyeball lights, except their shape, and the quality is just a little better, but then the price is a little higher as well. They will usually run between $65.- $85. each which includes wiring, installation, transformer…..etc.

 Step Riser lights mount on your stair riser (the vertical part) and cast a light onto the step. You can easily see where you are walking at night. Some models come with regular light, and some come louvered- which cast the light directly down on the step. These lights range from $50 to $60 per light which includes wiring, installation, transformer…..etc  Here again the Kitchler lights are just a bit more.

Cap lights mount on the top of your rail posts and give you more of an “all around light” these lights are a little brighter than the eyeball or teardrop lights, and will light-up more of the whole deck, they have an 18 watt bulb in them.
These lights will usually run between $65-$75 each which includes wiring, installation, transformer…..etc.   

We have a lot more to say about deck lighting if you click here

 

Lattice or Skirting Around the Bottom of your Deck

Monarch Tigerwood decking with Almond Lattice

Brownstone Azekdeck with Almond Lattice

Monarch Cypress Skirting

Monarch Mahogany Skirting

If you will have any open space between the ground and your deck, you should really give some thought to Skirting or Lattice. It puts a nice finished look on a deck, especially one that’s 2’-3’ off the ground. We’re able to provide Skirting or Lattice up to about 8’ feet high. I’d say the cost of lattice for... say a 400 square foot deck is probably about $800-$1000. and the vertical Skirting is about 65% more than Lattice. Of course this will go up or down depending on the size of the deck and how off the ground it is.

Stone and Landscape Fabric Underneath your Deck

 

Putting stone and fabric under decks is something we do more and more of,

I think it’s great for both high decks and low decks, You see, it’s a good way to really dress up the underneath of a high deck, and it keeps it from getting all muddy.
On a low deck it actually helps prevent mold and mildew from growing on the deck because it keeps the underneath of the deck drier

The cost of putting down a good grade of fabric and then put stones down will run around $1.00-$1.50 per square foot depending on what type of stone you choose.

Here are the Most Popular Stone Choices

3/4" Regular quarry stone	3/4" White stone	3/4" Red stone	River Rock Available in: 3/4", 1-3", and 3-5"	Salmon stone Available in: 3/4", and 2-4"
Pergolas / Arbors
Almond Vinyl Pergola	Almond Vinyl Pergola	Almond Vinyl Pergola	White Vinyl Pergola	White Vinyl Pergola

 

Much of the cost of a pergola is tied up in the material.

It can make a real difference, for example, how many cross pieces you selected. The more cross pieces you selected, the more shade you'll have but the more expensive it will be. Less cross pieces means less labor, material, lower cost but less shade.

Pressure treated pergolas are almost half the price of a vinyl one but like crew foreman Amos once said , do you really want to stain an entire pergola every year? Not to mention you'd be painting upside down. Owner John explains, "A Pergola will run anywhere between $18 and $25 a square foot. So if you are looking at a 12 by 12 pergola, that's 144 square feet so that's a range between $2500 and $3600. That's in vinyl. You could get the same size pergola in wood between $1250 and $1800.

We have a lot more to say about Pergolas if you click here

Gazebos

12’ octagon Gazebo

12’ octagon Gazebo

16’ octagon Gazebo

14’ octagon Gazebo

16’x16’ Mahogany Roof

 

Depending on what size Gazebo you want, they can run anywhere between $6,500 for a standard model without the screens, doors or window packages. A 16 foot gazebo-which is a pretty big size-with the electrical package for the ceiling fan, the lights, the outlet, a door, the screens and the tinted windows- all the bells and whistles can run around $11,000.- 13,000" I'd say the average gazebo we put in is about $8,500. It's a 12 foot octagon gazebo that's not real fancy but comes with the screens, a cupola and the electrical package" reports Ray." That is big enough for the customers to really comfortably put a small table and 4 chairs around it"

Hot Tubs on Your Deck

(We do not sell Hot Tubs…You can Probably get a Better Deal on Your Own)

Partly recessed

Recessed 12"

Recessed half way

Sitting on top

 

We have helped install a lot of Hot tubs over the years and found that there are three basic choices when putting one on your deck.

1. Have the Hot tub sit right one top of your deck
2. Have it recessed partway into the deck
3. Have it recessed all the way into the deck.(hot tub is flush with the top of the deck)

To have the Tub sitting on top of the deck is the easiest and the least expensive because all we need to do is add a couple of support beams and posts to carry the extra weight.
This can usually be done for a couple hundred dollars. Plus you can buy the Hot tub later, or whenever you’re ready!
To have the Tub recessed part way is by far the easiest way to get in and out of it, However then we need to create an opening for the Tub to sit in, which gets a little more involved and takes a little longer, which of course is then a little more expensive, doing it this way will cost around $800-$900. Plus then you will need to buy the Tub and then we will help to install it.

To have a Hot tub recessed all the way into the deck, your deck will need to be at least 3’ off the ground, or a little higher than the height of the hot tub.

Some Free Expert Advice on Hot Tubs

“I think a hot tub that is recessed about ½ way (18” or so) in a deck looks better, and it’s much easier for you to get in and out of the tub….you can just sit on the top and just swing your legs in. These recessed tubs are a little more expensive because you have to buy the hot tub and have it installed at the time you are building your deck, and we need to coordinate your deck and your installation of your recessed hot tub”.- John, Proprietor Decks R Us.

An Insider’s Secret to the Cost of a Deck: How a Larger Deck Can Actually Be Cheaper:

Most decks are built up against a house so you only need railing on 3 sides. And many times, the cost per square feet of a deck decreases as the size goes up. The secret is in the railings. A 10 x 10 square foot deck –or 100 square feet will normally take 30 feet or railings. But a larger 20 x 20 or 400 square foot deck may only have 60 feet of railing, thus bringing the total cost per square feet down. For your own guaranteed to the penny estimate, drop us a simple email with your phone number and the best time to call you. These Amish guys get up pretty early in the morning so if you want we can even call you at 6 or 7 in the morning.

The Cost of Building Your own Deck …

Of course it’s cheaper to build your own deck.  But make sure you know what you are doing.  In our experience, when the Amish guys have been called into “salvage” a project, much of the homeowners’ work cannot be saved, and the homeowner is no further ahead financially at all.  “We’ve seen footers not dug deep enough, ledger boards not fastened properly…a deck that is built so poorly it will never pass code!” recalls crew supervisor Amos.
If you are considering a do it yourself deck, you may want to check with us to get a comparison price quote to see how much it would be to sit back and have Decks R Us do it for you.
 

Our Customers Have Buyers’ Remorse…

“One of the favorite parts of building a deck is seeing the customer’s reaction to our finished work” says Decks R Us Crew Leader Joe. “But every now and again, I hear them say- ‘Boy, now that I see my finished deck, I wish I would have added_____’. Since our decks are built to last a long time, I guess they regret not going with the lights or corner steps. Benches for example, are pretty easy to add after the fact. But lights, pergolas or gazebos will be a little more expensive if you want to add it after the deck is built.”

How Payment Works

At Decks R Us, we usually ask for 30% down.
From there, there are different policies based on the size:
For decks under $15,000- we ask for 30% down and the balance is then due when you the customer is  happy.
And for decks over $15,000, we ask for another 30% on the 2nd day of the job.
“Our customers can’t  really get a feel for what their deck will look like on day 1.  We spend that first day setting up, digging the footers setting up the ledger boards and working on the base.  But because so much of their deck is done at our facility, by the 2nd day they can really see their deck take shape!  Waiting until the 2nd on the job site for the next payment, gives our customers another assurance that we are trustworthy.”
The balance is then due when everyone is happy.  Decks R Us also takes Visa and MasterCard.

Decks R Us now offers Financing

Make sure to check with us on any current specials the financing company is offering us, and we'll happily pass them along to you.

Check out the chart below to see what your payments could be like.

*Rates for our program range from 7.99% APR - 19.99% APR. Upon approval, the Annual Percentage Rate available to your customer will be determined by the term for which they apply, their credit standing and other factors as determined by Capital One. These rates are available for a limited time only and are not available in all areas. **The 120 month term is available for loan amounts of $7,500 or more.

A Few things to Look Out for When Shopping for Decks:

“Make sure you are comparing apples to apples,” suggests Mose.  Below are the top 5 things to check when comparing 2 estimates:

#1: Both estimates use the same type of material

In addition to going with a reputable company-ask for some references and find out what material they are using.   Many decks are cheaper because the builder will use a lower quality material.  Learn more about the materials Decks R Us of Lancaster uses.

#2: The deck is the same size

Since most deck builders charge by the square foot, This can make a big difference

#3:  The Warranty is the Same

Ask about the warranty and be less confident if the warranty is not in writing.  Decks R Us has several written warranties covering our craftsmanship and the materials.

#4:  Will the Deck Builder Completely Handle All the township permits, building permits, building inspector visits, punch lists…etc.

If you don’t know how all these processes work, you could find yourself having to take a few days off work just to make sure you have a legal job site!  And if your permits are not in order, the local zoning officer has the right to shut your job down.

#5:  The Same Quality Details

“Follow your gut, “concludes Mose.  “If you are not comfortable with your deck builder at the beginning, there is pretty big risk that you will be even more uncomfortable by the end.  Go with someone you trust….

To have Mose give you his years of advice and a free no strings consultation for your deck project, call him on 800-854-0269