Deck Cost Per Square Foot
Per-square-foot is how decks are compared, but the number only means something when the structure and railings are in it.
Quick answer: Installed per sq ft: pressure-treated $15–$25, cedar $20–$35, composite $25–$40 — before stairs and elevated framing.
What the per-foot number hides
A raised deck with stairs and railings costs far more per square foot than a low ground-level platform of the same area, because the structure and access dominate the labor. Always separate decking, framing, railings and stairs.
Price your own, not the average
Enter your material, framing and labor rates into the deck calculator to get a real per-foot and total for this deck, not a national average.
FAQ
What is the average cost per square foot to build a deck?
Roughly $15–$25 for pressure-treated, $20–$35 for cedar, and $25–$40 for composite installed, before stairs and elevated framing.
Why do raised decks cost more per square foot?
Taller posts, more framing, stairs and railings add labor and material that a ground-level deck of the same area doesn’t need.