How much does it cost to build a deck?

How much does it cost to build a deck?

If you’re thinking about building a deck, one of your (many) questions is probably how much will it cost? The good news is that you aren’t alone. Each month, approximately 2,400 people across the country ask Google, “How much does it cost to build a deck?” Unfortunately, the answer to that question varies wildly. 

However, here are some of the factors that will determine how much it costs to build your deck.

• Size
• Material
• Location
• Demolition
• Permits and Homeowners Association Requirements
• Complexity
• Extras 
• Experience

Consider each of these, in turn, to help determine whether your deck project is likely to be on the high or low end of the price range. 

Bonus: Besides helping you pinpoint a price range, considering these factors will also help you dream up your ideal deck! 

Double bonus: Once you’re ready to start turning your dream into a reality, contact Simple Construction for a free on-site consultation and estimate. 

Let’s take a closer look at each factor.

Size 
This is a pretty obvious cost factor. However, just because it’s obvious doesn’t mean it isn’t worth mentioning! The size of your deck will impact the cost. All other things equal, a larger deck equals a larger cost. 

Material
The material you choose will have a big impact on the cost of your deck. 

Tip: When making this decision, don’t just consider the upfront cost of the material. For example, composite decking, like Trex, may have a higher up-front material cost, but it doesn’t require any maintenance and lasts a long (long) time. This material can be a great option if you want to simply kick back and enjoy your deck for years to come!

In addition, if you’re interested in being environmentally friendly, composite decking may be the perfect choice, as it tends to be made of mostly recycled materials. Trex decking is made from a blend of up to 95% recycled plastic film and reclaimed sawdust. 

At Simple Construction, we’re big fans of Trex, which is why we became a Certified Trex Pro Installer.

Location 
Location and placement can definitely impact the cost of building your deck. For example, if your deck will be on a slope, additional planning, materials, and labor may be required, increasing the cost.

Another factor related to location to consider is accessibility. If your deck builder can’t easily access the build spot, it will likely increase your bottom line. 

While location may be one of the cost factors that is largely out of your control, it’s still a good idea to have it in mind when asking how much does it cost to build a deck.

Demolition
If you have an existing deck, patio, or structure that needs to be demolished and then hauled away, it will increase the cost of your project. 

Tip: Assuming it’s safe to do so, rounding up some friends, family members, or particularly kind coworkers to help you demo your existing deck could be a way to save money. However, always err on the side of caution! If it is unsafe for you to tackle demolition on your own, turn to a pro.

Permits and Homeowners Association Requirements
Depending on where you live, you may be required to obtain a building permit to construct a deck. Your deck builder should be able to help you understand if this is required in your area and, if so, what steps you need to take. 

Similarly, depending on where you live, the CC&Rs (covenants, conditions, and restrictions) set in place by your HOA (homeowners association) may require you to submit plans to an architectural review committee for approval or feedback. Typically, HOAs charge a fee for plan review. In addition, if your deck builder has to spend a lot of time filling out forms or creating diagrams to submit to your HOA, he or she may charge you an extra fee. 

Tip: If you live in a community with an HOA, review your CC&Rs or talk to your board to ensure you fully understand your obligations before talking to a deck builder. Presenting a full and accurate picture to builders you’re considering working with will not only help ensure you get an accurate estimate, but it’ll also help ensure you find the right partner.

Complexity
There are a lot of factors that go into the complexity of a deck project. Each of those can add to the cost of building a deck. Some questions to consider when asking how much does it cost to build a deck are:

• Is this a first vs. a second-story deck? 
• Is the deck floating vs. attached? 
• Are there stairs? 
• Is it a tiered deck? 
• Are there any extras? (See the next section.)

Extras
You can do many things to make your deck meet your needs and wants—whether that’s relaxing, entertaining, or a combo of both! While all of these extras do add extra to the bottom line, here are some options:

• Built-ins such as seating or planter boxes.
• Electricity or gas-line hookups. 
• A stronger foundation to support extra weight, such as the weight of a hot tub.
• Multi-colored decks.

Good news—our deck-building team has over 50 years of combined experience, which means not only have we heard just about any request you can think of, but we’ve probably built it!

Experience
There’s a saying: You get what you pay for. But sometimes you get what you don’t pay for. Meaning that when you don’t pay for experience, you don’t get it. 

Choosing an experienced partner for your deck project will ultimately pay for itself. You’ll get a streamlined process and the deck you envisioned, which will last for years. What you won’t get is unexpected costs, lack of communication, shoddy workmanship, and continually changing timelines. 

Unfortunately, unless you have deck-building experience, this also applies to DIY efforts! 

If you Google “how much does it cost to build a deck,” many results recommend doing the project yourself to save money. The truth is, if you don’t have experience, you probably won’t save money in the long run. After all, remember that your time has value as well! 

Simple Construction has the experience to bring your deck project to fruition. We pride ourselves on communication and simplification. We keep it simple, always! Click here for more reasons why Simple Construction is the deck partner you’ve been looking for.