Deck cost calculator
Estimate deck square footage, board count, material range, labor range, railing allowance, and stair allowance.
Home Project Estimates
Deck cost calculator
May 9, 2026
16 ft by 12 ft ground level deck.
Shopping list
- pressure treated decking boards39 ea
- Framing lumber, footings, joist hardware, fastenersProject allowance
- Railing56 linear ft
- StairsNot included
Assumptions
- 10% board waste
- 12 ft boards with 5.5 in face width
- Structural design, permits, and code review are not included
- U.S. near average; pricing data: U.S. near average pricing
Planning estimate only. Not a contractor quote, engineering advice, or permit review.
16 ft by 12 ft ground level deck.
Shopping list
- pressure treated decking boards39 ea
- Framing lumber, footings, joist hardware, fastenersProject allowance
- Railing56 linear ft
- StairsNot included
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Assumptions in this estimate
- 10% board waste
- 12 ft boards with 5.5 in face width
- Structural design, permits, and code review are not included
- U.S. near average; pricing data: U.S. near average pricing
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How this is calculated
- Deck area is length x width.
- Board count uses 12 ft boards with 5.5 in face width and 10% waste.
- Railing and stairs add separate allowances when selected.
Assumption register
| Item | Low | Typical | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decking waste | 5 | 10 | 15 | Homewyse wood decking cost calculator Checked 2026-05-10 · medium confidence |
| Deck material | 14 | 30 | 60 | Homewyse wood decking installed benchmark Checked 2026-05-10 · low confidence |
Last reviewed: May 9, 2026. These values are planning defaults, not live prices.
Common mistakes
- Estimating decking only and forgetting framing, hardware, railings, stairs, and footings.
- Treating elevated decks like ground-level platforms.
- Ignoring code requirements and structural design.
FAQ
Can this replace a deck design?
No. A deck needs local-code and structural review before building.
Why are deck ranges wide?
Height, footing conditions, railing, stairs, material, and hardware can change cost heavily.
Does this include demolition?
No. Removing an old deck should be estimated separately.
Limitations
This calculator is for early budgeting only. It is not a structural design tool and does not verify spans, footings, permits, or code.
This estimate is for planning only. It is not a contractor quote, engineering advice, or permit review.
Next step
Measure once more, compare the result with a real quote or shopping cart, and review the assumptions before buying materials.
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