Deck Installation Cost
Last updated: October 31, 2026 · Prices checked October 31, 2026
Deck installation cost averages $8,322 for a professionally built deck, with most homeowners paying $4,339–$12,654 — Angi's figures across 20,403 verified projects. Per square foot, deck installation cost runs $30–$60 installed, and almost all of that spread is one decision: the board you walk on. This page prices the build by size and material, then answers the exact question a Pittsburgh homeowner posted on CostHelper — tear-down and rebuild of a small composite deck, priced line by line.
Average deck installation: $8,322 (most pay $4,339–$12,654). Installed per square foot: $30–$60 · Composite installed: $25–$54/sq ft · Labor alone: $15–$35/sq ft.
National range, researched from published sources. Prices checked October 31, 2026.
Deck installation cost by size
Size is the most direct driver: the same per-square-foot rate applied to more square feet. Angi's published totals by dimension assume a standard ground-level build; second-story decks, sloped yards and multi-tier designs land above them.
| Deck size | Installed cost (Angi) |
|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft (100 sq ft) | $4,000–$6,000 |
| 10 × 12 ft (120 sq ft) | $3,600–$7,200 |
| 12 × 12 ft (144 sq ft) | $5,760–$8,640 |
| 12 × 16 ft (192 sq ft) | $5,400–$10,800 |
| 12 × 20 ft (240 sq ft) | $9,600–$14,400 |
| 12 × 24 ft (288 sq ft) | $11,520–$17,280 |
| 16 × 20 ft (320 sq ft) | $12,800–$19,200 |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 sq ft) | $16,000–$24,000 |
What the board costs: materials per square foot
Decking material alone runs from $2 to $45 per square foot (Angi) — the single biggest lever in the whole quote. Pressure-treated lumber is the budget end and the maintenance end; composite boards cost more up front and skip the sealing cycle.
| Decking material (boards only) | Cost per sq ft (Angi) |
|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | $2–$5 |
| Cedar | $3–$7 |
| Bamboo | $3–$10 |
| Mahogany | $8–$11 |
| Ipe hardwood | $10–$20 |
| Composite boards | $12–$22 |
| Aluminum / metal | $15–$20 |
| Redwood | $5–$35 |
“How much should I pay to tear down the old deck and build an 8×12 composite?”
The CostHelper poster (in Pittsburgh, PA) asked it precisely: construct and tear down the old deck, 8 × 12 feet, composite decking with vinyl railings, three steps, four feet off the ground. That is 96 square feet, so the published math is quick. The new build, composite installed at $25–$54 per square foot (Angi), prices at roughly $2,400–$5,200. Four feet of height puts it at the easy end of "elevated" — the three steps are a $25–$50-per-stair line item (Angi), not a project driver — and a permit, where required, adds $230–$500.
The tear-down is the half of the job most quotes bury. Published tear-out pricing runs $4–$9 per square foot with disposal at $300–$700 for the dumpster — on 96 square feet, roughly $700–$1,600 to remove and haul the old deck. Add the two halves and a fair all-in quote for that exact job lands around $3,100–$6,800, with the spread set by the composite grade and railing style, not by the demolition. If a bid for this deck arrives far above that band, the itemization — not the total — is where the answer will be.
What moves a deck quote up or down
- Material. Boards range from $2 to $45 per square foot before labor; composite and hardwoods multiply the materials half of the bill while pressure-treated multiplies the maintenance instead (resealing a wood deck runs $700–$1,600 a year, Angi).
- Height and slope. A ground-level rectangle is the cheap build. Second-story decks, tall posts, landings and sloped yards add framing, concrete and labor hours.
- Railings, stairs and built-ins. Railing length and material, stair count ($25–$50 per stair), benches, lighting and outlets are all separate lines — ask for them separately.
- Tear-out and disposal. Replacing an old deck means paying to remove it first: $4–$9 per square foot plus $300–$700 of disposal. Confirm the bid includes demolition and hauling in writing.
- Permits and timing. Permits run $230–$500 in most areas (small, low, unattached decks are exempt in some jurisdictions). Off-season builds — late fall and winter — meet shorter contractor waitlists and softer pricing.
Pricing the yard's other big project too? The same per-foot math structures our fence installation cost guide. For the jobs that come with a warning label, see foundation repair cost, and for how every figure here was compiled, our methodology page.
Frequently asked questions
How much does deck installation cost in 2026?+
Angi's 20,403 verified projects put the average at $8,322, with most homeowners paying $4,339–$12,654. Per square foot, expect $30–$60 installed (HomeGuide: $25–$50), with material choice doing most of the damage.
What does a 12×16 deck cost?+
Angi prices a 12 × 16 ft deck (192 sq ft) at $5,400–$10,800 installed for a standard build. Pressure-treated lands low in that band; composite at $25–$54 per square foot installed pushes the same footprint toward $4,800–$10,400 before railings and stairs.
How much does it cost to tear down and replace a deck?+
Tear-out runs $4–$9 per square foot plus $300–$700 for disposal — roughly $700–$1,600 on a small 96 sq ft deck. Add the rebuild at the per-square-foot rates above; a small composite replacement with teardown typically totals $3,100–$6,800.
Is composite worth it over pressure-treated wood?+
Composite boards cost $12–$22 per square foot against $2–$5 for pressure-treated — but labor ($15–$35 per square foot) is the same either way, and wood adds $700–$1,600 a year in washing and resealing (Angi). Over a 15-year horizon the gap narrows fast; over five years, wood wins on price alone.
Do I need a permit to build a deck?+
Usually, if the deck is attached to the house or above a size/height threshold — permits run $230–$500 in most areas (Angi). Small, low, freestanding decks are exempt in some jurisdictions. A contractor who suggests skipping a required permit is handing you the liability, not saving you money.
How long does it take to build a deck?+
HomeGuide puts an average 12 × 24 ft deck at one to three weeks of build time once work starts, with permit approval and contractor waitlists adding lead time before that. Small ground-level decks are faster; multi-tier and second-story builds are slower.