Deck Cost - Buyer Experiences and Price Information

we are thinking of having a deck built. it will measure 12 feet by 16 feet. there will be one set of steps and is less than 4 feet high.viynl railings will be installed around the perimeter of deck. the contractor that we are thinking of using has done nice work in our neighborhood. would this be considered a fair price for labor, materials and permits?

Burg, I do not think I'm being hard on homeowners. I'm simply speaking from experience. I have nothing against people getting a few quotes. After paying for liability insurance, health insurance, vehicle insurance, tools, equipment, proffessional costs, advertising, marketing, vehicle upkeep, etc. etc. it becomes expensive to own and operate a deck building beussiness. And it take s a lot more than being "handy" to deliver a good product week after week, every job, and keep my customers happy and my employees productive. And I highly doubt that a job consisting of $3,500 in materials and one week of labor would end up costing the buyer $21,000. Let's not exagerrate Burgh! One week of labor and $3,500 in materials from me would cost you $9,450. If you want and itemized breakdown it will cost $59 per hour (4 hours min) for the detailed itemized list. I don't know how an itemized list will help one make a decision as whether or not to hire me but I'll gladly do it if I am paid for it. After all, do you work for free?

This is to Paul in Charlotte. I'm not sure why you are so hard on homeowners wanting to know what they are spending their money on. I would suggest a customer going to Lowes/Home Depot printing a project list with all costs. Then getting several quotes from contractors. I can tell you that I am getting a deck done here shortly and I have been quoted from $10000,$15000, $20000 to $25000 for the same job. I don't even have steps. I've built smaller decks myself and there is not that much to it if you are handy and have the tools and time which I don't have the time. In any case though home owners should get several quotes and know what the material actually costs. I'm certainly not going to have $3500 in materials and pay some contractor $21000 for a weeks worth of work to install it. I could put a home addition on for that

Jay,

What does your contract say? If there is no contract then what we have here is a classic "he said, she said" scenario. And while it may not be ridiculous to think he should have done the footings, it is foolish to assume anything. Always get these things in writing. No offense meant as I have learned the hard way myself over the years by assuming things.

Paul Choate
ChoateBuilders.com

We are having our deck extended out 6 feet and 6 feet added to the length. The deck is off the ground about 12' (above our walkout basement). He is keeping our existing deck . He told us to pay for all the materials, get them here and he would charge us $1,000 in labor to extend the existing deck. Since then, myself and 2 friends have had to assit with every thing, doing the spindles and other jobs, and NOW tells me he does not dig holes and that I have to dig the 4 three foot holes for the footings. I am on crutches and thought when he gave me a price of $1,000 to do the deck, that meant to do the deck. Now after he did the platform and frame for the railings and only has the deck temporarily supported he tells me he does not dig holes, he has a bad back. Am I being ridiculous assuming that my deck was going to be attached to the ground for that price, since he has had us assist with all the labor?

mp,

There is no way to answer your question with the information you submitted. It's as if someone is asking if $20,000 for a car with red paint and 4 doors is a good deal.

pattern - diagonal decking
steps all the way with angled corners
angled corners
Is this a low, high r OK quote for this deck?
Please let me know.

Ed you are right on target. People, many contractors and home owners, just don't get it. Too many contractors have absolutely no idea how to run a business and make a fair profit and too many home owners hire those contractors. Both get what they pay and charge for which is a poorly built deck for the homeowner and an unprofitable project for the builder. I love it when people tell me my price is too high. When I ask them what they are basing it on they are speechless...b/c the truth is people have no idea what a deck should cost. If they did then why ask me for an estimate? Why not just tell me what the cost should be and then back it up. And going by the lowest price around is NOT the most reasonable price as man people think.

Quote:Contractor: Stanley enterprise
I recently replaced a deck that is 13'x25' using composite material. The owner of the home purchased all materials needed, and I charged him 5000.00 for the whole job, railing included. I've been doing this a long time, and hate to see people gouge the prices. It averaged out to 15.00 a sq.foot
Material priced today in Southern NH: Azek (procell) decking $2.90 per LINEAL foot. That's $5.80 per SQUARE FOOT just for the decking....400 sq ft deck = $2320 just the cost of the decking alone...we contractors, the reputable ones anyway, aren't trying to screw people (no pun intended), the materials are through the roof, and the materials aren't magically going to appear at the jobsite...we are picking them up and dropping them off, or the lumber yard is doing it...and last I checked there are no Hydrogen fuel cell powered lumber delivery trucks...Gas or diesel is exspensive, as well is our time. Bottom line, if the cost of the deck shocks you, then you should reconsider the material and or size...or all together bag the idea, don't sit there and accuse contractors of price gauging..we do not see a dime of profit from the manufacturers...and let us not forget, composite and PVC decking materials are in the Petroleum based product line...There are glues and resins, and other items that have had a significant price increase due to the rising cost of oil.

15x18 Roof Top Deck on Flat Roof
* One step up landing from doorway
* 2x8 framing across roof top with double beams under framing aprox 6 ft apart
* 6x6 posts under beams where required
* 4x4 posts for railings standard height 36 inch tall with 2x4 framing and 2x2 pickets
* ACQ hot dipped galvanized nails and hardware
* Fix rubber roof lining in corner so that it allows water to flow away from house and not puddle up in one spot

* Option 1 would be all pressure treated pine wood deck $ 8,100

* Option 2 would be composite TimberTech Decking and
With wood railings and pickets and Coposite Top railing cap $ 9,450 * Option 3 would be all composite TimberTech Decking and All composite TimberTech Rilings ( Redwood Color ) $ 12,150 * Add Timbertech Redwood Color Facia Wrap + $ 375

Got quoted for 10,000 for composite/vinyl and 7,000 for wood for a 16x30 with one set a stairs.

what do you guys think

Looking to build 830 sq ft single level deck in N.VA. Quoted $27,000 ($33/sq ft) for PT frame and Azek composite deck surface, Seems high for composite flooring. In July '08 you would think contrators would give a better price for this. I'll look for a better contractor.

I recently replaced a deck that is 13'x25' using composite material. The owner of the home purchased all materials needed, and I charged him 5000.00 for the whole job, railing included. I've been doing this a long time, and hate to see people gouge the prices. It averaged out to 15.00 a sq.foot

a safe price for me is material cost times 3 for labor works every time and we both part happy of coarse do wiegh in your difficult factor easy access or not ,octogon .triangle.radius ect.

Kriten,

From the info you provided that price is on the very high end. I doubt that you need to or want to spend that much money for a well built deck. I'd continue to look for other contractors in your area who come highly recommended and provide you with lots of references.

Paul Choate
www.ChoateBuilders.com

We received a quote of $32,200 to purchase materials and construct a 500 sq ft deck. To us, this seems high at approx. $64.40 per sq. ft.. Building supply company priced out the deck and railing materials for us at $6500, not including underneath pressure treated wood. We want to use the timbertech plastic with side groove for hidden fastners. Deck is not elaborate, all one level, stairs from porch to deck and from deck to yard. Does this seem a fair quote?

I agree with Choate, my cost to do the deck is $21 SF out of treated materials. The lumber materials fluctuate constantly so this number might be +/-$2 SF. However homeowners dont realize that the footings cost money (excavation, concrete, forms, etc) The fasteners to join the materials of the deck can easily run over $1000 by the time it is all said and done plus expertise, labor, and a profit. I would say for pressure treated decks depending on options, stairs, etc $21-23 SF, Cedar $28-30 SF, Composites $35-50 SF.

I have been quoted $5400 for labor and materials for a 10x20 deck, one set of stairs, railing all around, unpainted (I will do the staining and sealing). Is this fair?

http://www.vadeck.com/deck-cost-calculator.htm
I hope this helps!

Is this a good price?

2-level deck half surrounding 15' above ground pool. he is charging cost of materials for labor [material cost=$3,600]. ends up being around $14 sq/ft.

I'm not sure if prices vary in different states or areas for decks but this is the price we are paying. Our deck will be about 8 to 9 feet off the ground. This price DOES NOT include moveing our air conditioner (so that it is not UNDER the deck), we are having a friend so that and are paying him $200 ($120 for freon and the rest for his time). This price also doesn't include having the remains of our old, smaller (10 X 10) deck removed. I don't know who we're going to have come get rid of it yet.

Hi, Stephanie. A basic 400 sq. ft. deck (standard rectangle or square shape, less than 6' off the ground, PT frame, composite floor and railings)fastened together with screws and bolts...between $15,000 and $20,000. Depends on if the railings are 100% composite or a mix of wood and composite. Of course that is the price for a well-built deck by someone who cares about his/her customers and takes pride in his/her work!

Does anyone know what it would cost for a 400 sq. foot deck using trex composite? 1 staircase, railings all around and deck lights.

There is so much more to deck building than most people think. A deck is a combination of rough framing and fine trim work (a well-built one anyway). I've built dozens upon dozens of decks over the years and have yet to build one for under $35 per square foot. That price includes everything A-Z...permits, demo, footings, insurance, etc. And what is it with you homeowners wanting an itemized list and breakdown of materials and labor? Do you do that when you buy a car or anything else...my prie is my price regardless of ho much I'm charging for labor. The overhead to run a legit construction company is high...and please, stop with the 10% profit...adding 10% to a job is NOT the way to make a 10% profit!!!

Does anyone know the cost that Lowe's usually charges to build a 12x12 deck? or approximate cost? I know the material cost is the same as in there stores. I was just curious as to the labor charge. I've had carpeting installed for exactly double the cost of the material.... Is it the same for building a Deck? I know it depends on cost of labor. Cost per sqft in this area is usually much less than other areas. Does cost per sqft include all materials and labor?

Is this a good price? Composite material for the same costs $5400

Getting estimates on a deck build, basically two decks put together one is 12x12 and the other is 12x16 put side by side for 336 sq ft of decking, one set of steps to ground and railing around the entire perimeter. is this price high? I thought so but I could be way off base. Thanks.

($17.00) a square foot installed Sounds like a good price.

I was wondering if this bid seem fair. I have a bid for a 16 by 30 deck with a 12 by 15 pavilion at one end. 6x6 posts, 3-ply 2x12 king beams(3) to support 4 ft cantilever over pond, Floor joist 2x10-16" oc, 5/4 decking screwed, 30"handrail w/balisters(591ft), 8ft clearance on 12x15 pavillion with hipstyle shingled roof 4/12, 1ft overhangs with aluminum sofit, 6" bead broad ceiling. This is my only bid and it is from a family friend/business.