Deck Cost Calculator
Installed cost of a ground-level or low deck: decking by the board (pressure-treated at the low end, composite at the high end) and a carpenter by the square foot, which covers framing, footings and railing on a typical build.
Order 29 boards (464 lf) — pick the stock length that leaves the least offcut; 16-footers cover a 16 ft deck in one piece.
- Deck area
- 192 ft²
- Rows @ 5.50″ + 0.125″ gap
- 26
- Boards per row (16 ft stock)
- 1
- Waste 10%
- + 3
- Boards to buy
- 29
- Linear feet of decking
- 464 lf
- Joists @ 16″ o.c. (12 ft span)
- 13
- Screws / hidden fasteners
- ≈ 6.7 lb
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Get 3 quotes for this deck job
The estimate above is a national range. A local framing & lumber contractor who sees your site can give you a firm price, and comparing 3 bids is the single biggest lever on what you pay. Tell us where the job is and we will match you with up to 3 contractors who serve your ZIP.
- Your quantities and this estimate go with the request, so you are not starting over.
- No account, no app. Contractors call or text you directly.
- One request. We do not resell your details beyond the matched contractors.
How to calculate deck by hand
Rows = Width (in) ÷ (board width + gap) · Boards = rows × ⌈length ÷ stock⌉ × (1 + waste) · Joists = length ÷ spacing + 1
Worked example
- Rows: 12 ft × 12 = 144″ ÷ (5.5 + 0.125) = 25.6 → 26 rows.
- Boards per row: 16 ft ÷ 16 ft stock = 1 → 26 boards net.
- Waste 10%: 26 × 1.10 = 28.6 → 29 boards (464 lf).
- Joists: 16 ft ÷ 16″ = 12 + 1 = 13 at 12 ft, plus 2 rim joists · Fasteners: 192 ft² × 3.5 lb/100 ≈ 7 lb of screws.
- 5.5″ boards, ⅛″ gap
- 2.13 rows per ft of width
- Decking per 100 ft²
- ≈ 215 lf of 5.5″ boards
- Screws per 100 ft²
- ≈ 3.5 lb (350 screws)
- Joists @ 16″ o.c.
- 0.75 per ft + 1
How we price this
The low, typical and high columns are the 20th, 50th and 80th percentile of published us national averages for 5/4 × 6 × 16 ft pressure-treated, delivery and labor. They are estimates for budgeting, not quotes — enter your own supplier and crew prices above to replace them. Ranges are re-checked monthly; see the methodology page for how every number on this site is derived.
- HomeAdvisor cost guides — deck build $/ft² by material
- Home Depot / Lowe’s decking pricing — PT and composite board prices
Questions crews ask
How much does a deck cost per square foot?
$25–$60 per ft² installed — $5,000–$12,000 for a 16 × 12 ft deck — with pressure-treated lumber at the low end and composite or PVC decking with aluminium rail at the top. Elevated decks, stairs and railing add 20–40%.
How much does composite decking cost vs wood?
Composite boards are $40–$70 per 16-footer against $14–$25 for 5/4 pressure-treated, so materials roughly triple. Over 20 years composite usually wins: no staining, no replacing rotted boards.
What is included in deck labor?
Footings, framing, decking, stairs and railing, typically $15–$40 per square foot. Permit drawings, demolition of an old deck ($5–$15 per ft²) and site work are usually separate.