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CostHelper > Home and Garden  > Driveways, Pools & Outdoor Living > Pressure-Treated Wood Deck

Pressure-Treated Wood Deck Cost


How Much Does a Pressure-Treated Wood Deck Cost?

 
low costDo-it-yourself: $960-$3,840 for 16'x20'average costInstalled: $2,560-$16,000 for 16'x20'

Pressure-treated wood (typically yellow pine) has chemical preservatives forced into it, to protect it from insects, microorganisms and fungal decay. The most popular choice for decking, PT wood is relatively low-cost, easily available and, with maintenance, lasts about 15 years .

Typical costs:

  • A PT wood deck can cost $8-$50 a square foot ($2,560-$16,000 for a 16'x20' deck), but averages about $25-$35 a square foot ($8,000-$11,200 for 16'x20'), depending on the quality of materials, project complexity, and whether construction is by casual labor or a licensed contractor. Lumber prices can change daily, affecting the total cost.
  • CostHelper readers report paying $1,800-$8,500 to have a handyman or casual labor install a pressure-treated wood deck, or $8-$23 per square foot. Readers who hired a decking contractor report paying $4,400-$20,000, or $16-$50 per square foot.
  • Decks-R-Us in Pennsylvania estimates that a 12'x16' PT wood deck with four tread steps, black spindles and stone under the deck typically costs $5,650-$6,500 ($29.43-$33.86 a square foot).
  • Do-it-yourself materials can cost $3-$12 a square foot ($960-$3,840 for 16'x20') depending on the grade of PT wood and project complexity.
  • CostHelper readers report spending $960-$3,300 for do-it-yourself materials, or $3.27-$9.38 a square foot, with an average of $5.23. This Old House estimates that building a simple, ground-level 10'x16' deck[1] of PT wood with no railings is of moderate to hard difficulty (it helps to have at least two workers) and takes 4-6 days of construction plus a week for concrete to cure.
What should be included:
  • Home Depot describes pressure-treated wood[2] .
Additional costs:
  • Building a deck often requires a building permit (depending on local regulations and the size and height of the structure). Most contractors coordinate any permits and inspections, but the homeowner is usually responsible for paying the fees, which can be nominal or pricey, depending on location.
  • Depending on local regulations, after the project is complete the local tax assessor may calculate how much the property has increased in value; the exact amount of any tax increase varies significantly by location and the value of the addition.
  • Once the deck is completed, contact your homeowners' insurance company ; tell them how much it cost to build the new deck, and they will determine the cost to add the deck to the existing policy.
  • A deck should be AA home.costhelper.com/cleaning-deck.html>cleaned annually ($0.25-$1.50 or more a square foot) and might require sealing ($1-$5 a square foot) or staining ($0.50-$7 a square foot) every 1-2 years, depending on the type of wood and the deck's exposure to sunlight and weather.
Shopping for a pressure-treated wood deck:
  • The Lowe's Deck Designer[3] lets consumers pick sample decks or create a custom project.
  • A deck can be installed by a handyman (or do-it-yourselfer) with strong carpentry and design skills, a landscaping contractor, a general building contractor (who may sub it out to a specialist) or a decking contractor.
  • Ask for and check references from satisfied customers;and confirm that the company is properly insured and licensed.
  • Ask for a detailed explanation of the work to be done and the materials that will be used. If there is an existing deck, make sure demolition and debris removal are included. HGTVremodels.com lists questions to ask a decking professional[4] .
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Pressure treated Deck
Amount: $9,200.00
Posted by: Erika Brunze in Pontiac, MI.Posted: September 12th, 2021 11:09AM
Sq Ft of Deck: 400Contactor: T&M Property Maintenance
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Deck
Amount: $500.00
Posted by: Shea Miller in Morton, MS.Posted: March 5th, 2016 06:03PM
Sq Ft of Deck: 8x10Contactor:
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20x20 deck
Amount: $3,000.00
Posted by: Tesla in tigard, OR.Posted: April 16th, 2015 12:04PM
Sq Ft of Deck: 400Contactor: jt
Awesome price for a 20x20 deck 24" above ground to deck....#2 P.T LUMBER
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External Resources:
  1.  www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,262821,00.html
  2.  www.homedepot.com/webapp/catalog/servlet/ContentView?pn=Pressure_Treated&storeId=1...
  3.  www.lowes.com/cd_Deck+Designer+Planner_733683095_?cm_cr=Decking-_-Web+Activity-_-D...
  4.  www.hgtvremodels.com/outdoors/hiring-a-decking-professional/index.html
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