The Average Price to Build a New Deck

The cost of a deck depends upon materials and labor.

The deck is a place for family and friends to come together and bond while enjoying the natural world around them. Building a new deck might appear daunting at first, with costs coming from materials and labor, all depending upon the location.

Materials

Using a high quality wood, such as cedar, will raise the cost of materials, as opposed to using pressure-treated wood. Wood is generally cheaper than using vinyl, however one might choose to incorporate vinyl railings or corner posts. Items like nails and tools are not as noticeable in the budget unless the deck is very large, which might raise the material cost considerably.

Location

When shipping materials to a remote location, especially where trees are not abundant, building a deck can be quite expensive. In addition, large cities will have greater selection, leaving smaller areas with fewer choices, which may be more expensive than others.

Labor

If the deck is being installed by a crew, labor costs are greatly influential to the overall cost. In rural areas, one might find that labor costs are lower in comparison to larger, more urban areas. This is due to the higher minimum wage expectancy in larger cities, which is where the cost of living is greater.

Average Price

The cost of materials and labor together can vary considerably. As of 2010, in New york, one could expect to pay around $17 per square foot, whereas in Ohio the price might be $24 per square foot. For materials alone, the price per square foot in Maryland could be $5, while North Carolina could be about $11.

References

• Ideas for Deck Designs: Deck Building Cost