Jacob Pro General Contracting

Cost guide

How Much Does a Deck Cost to Build?

Building a deck usually costs $8,000 to $24,000. Size, height, decking material, and railings drive the cost.

JP
Jacob Pro Project Desk

Updated Aug 21, 2026

Deck Construction · National

$8,000 – $24,000

Typical range for most projects

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Small jobs from
$4,000
Average
$15,000
Large jobs up to
$40,000
How these ranges are built

What to know first

  • 01Composite decking costs more up front but needs less upkeep.
  • 02Elevated decks need engineered footings.
  • 03Stairs and railings are a large share of the price.
  • 04Most decks need a permit and inspections.

Cost by decking material (per sq ft)

MaterialInstalled
Pressure-treated pine$25 – $45
Cedar$35 – $55
Composite$45 – $75
Hardwood$55 – $90

What moves the price

01

Height and footings

Taller decks need deeper footings, bracing, and more inspection points.

02

Permits and inspections

Most cities require a permit when work touches structure, plumbing, electrical, gas, or the roof deck. Permit fees are usually a small share of the budget, but inspection dates set the pace of the job, so book them into the schedule from day one.

How the ranges are built

These are planning ranges from the Jacob Pro project desk, based on the scopes we price most often. Use them to budget before a site visit. The written estimate a crew lead gives you after seeing the job is the number to plan around.

Questions homeowners ask

How long does it take to build a deck?

Most decks take one to three weeks including inspections.

Ready for a real number?

A crew lead walks the job and gives you a written estimate. No cost, no obligation.

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JP

About the author

Jacob Pro Project Desk

Estimating and permitting team

The project desk scopes every Jacob Pro job before a crew is scheduled. The team writes these guides from the estimates, permit files, and closeout reports it handles every week, so homeowners can plan with the same questions our estimators ask.