How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck in Denver? [2025 Data]

Building a deck in Denver, CO, costs $9,640 on average, with your final bill ranging from $5,055 to $14,243. Costs depend on the square footage, design, materials, and type of construction for your deck.

Decking out your Denver backyard allows you to take full advantage of the city’s sunny summers, snow-capped mountain views, and trend for outdoor living. Setting aside a generous budget for this construction project allows you to invest in weather-resistant materials that can handle the swings from dry, hot summers to snow-laden, harsh winters. An innovative, elevated design also promotes good underdeck airflow—necessary in the damp, snowy season.

Deck Building Cost Factors

While the deck size and material selection are major cost factors to consider, your Denver home’s location and the deck design also impact your final budget. If you want to maximize those mountain views in a steep-sided yard, you might need a complex tiered deck—and don’t forget to factor in snow loads.

Size

Most new decks cost $34 to $69 per square foot. The higher end of that range represents deck projects built on second stories, building a deck with high-end wood, or customized designs. See the table below for general estimates based on the size of your deck:

Material

Your chosen deck material will make up a large portion of your total budget, ranging from $2.30 to $52 per square foot. Less-expensive materials can be tempting, but they may result in extra expenses for maintenance and repair, which you’ll need to hire a local deck contractor to handle. 

Here’s a breakdown of the materials and their costs:

• Pressure-treated wood costs $2.30 to $5.75 per square foot 

• Composite deck materials cost $13.80 to $25 per square foot 

• Ipe wood decking costs $11.50 to $23 per square foot 

• Tigerwood costs about $8 to $17.25 per square foot

• Mahogany costs $9 to $12.65 per square foot 

• Redwood decking costs $5.75 to $40 per square foot

• Bamboo decking costs $3.45 to $11.50 per square foot

• Cedar decking costs $3.45 to $8 per square foot 

• Metal or aluminum decking costs $17.25 to $23 per square foot

Deck Type

Simply put, the more complex your deck build is, the more it will cost. Types of decks like wraparound, multi-tier, and rooftop decks require greater accessibility, additional prep work, and often more materials.

For example, if you want to build a floating deck, it will likely cost about $23 to $69 per square foot. These decks don’t actually float—they’re just not attached to your home. Because of this, they’ll need a few more support posts to keep them structurally sound.

Deck Height

The type of deck you build will likely go hand in hand with where it’s installed. A second-story deck (which some contractors might deem a balcony) costs more to build because it’s harder to install. The most common place to install a deck, which is also likely the most cost-effective, is on the first floor attached to the backside of your home.

Here’s one example of how the cost average might differ:

• 10x10 first-story deck: $1,150–$2,300

• 10x10 second-story deck: $4,600–$5,750

Framing

Framing a deck, which ensures the unit's joints are structurally safe and sound, costs $10 to $13.80 per square foot for labor. The lumber or materials needed to frame your deck account for about one-third of the lumber you’ll need.

Flooring

Some homeowners choose to install flooring over a wood deck. Composite is a good material option, while more elegant choices like porcelain or ceramic could add thousands (or tens of thousands, depending on the deck’s size) to your price tag. The average cost ranges from $23 to $52 per square foot, depending on the material. 

Add-Ons

Here are some other costs you might incur if you upgrade from a simple deck build:

• Staircase cost: $25–$50 per stair

• Electricity cost: $130–$300 per outdoor outlet

• Outdoor lighting fixtures cost: $50–$500

• Heaters cost: $100–$300

• Outdoor misting system cost: $2,100–$3,400

• Sofa, chairs, and table cost: $500+

• Outdoor fireplace cost: $1,500–$8,000

• Retractable deck awning cost: $600–$3,500

Deck Pro Costs

While it’s possible to learn how to build a deck yourself, unless you have experience tackling large-scale carpentry projects, we recommend hiring a deck and porch pro in Denver to save time, stay safe, and prevent budget-breaking blunders.

Labor

While construction costs in Denver are similar to the national average, the overall cost of living is around 10% higher. Additionally, the popularity of decking in this outdoor living-focused city means demand for professional services is high. Labor costs to build a deck in Denver average between $17 and $40 per square foot. 

Installation costs can be higher for tougher-to-cut, high-quality hardwoods like Ipe, or if you’re opting for a complex elevated or multi-tiered deck construction to take advantage of those Rocky Mountain views.

Permits

If you’re installing a deck in Denver that’s more than 12 inches off the ground, you will need a zoning permit, costing between $35 and $100. For decks over 30 inches off the ground, budget between $35 and $228 for building permit costs. The precise fee depends on the deck’s size, whether it’s attached to the home, and the project’s total valuation. Some decks may also require a sewer use and drainage permit (SUDP).

Licensing

Decking contractors in Denver, CO, typically require a contractor’s license to pull building permits and comply with local regulations. When obtaining quotes from deck builders, verify that they’re fully licensed, bonded, and insured to ensure a professional, protected standard of work that meets local building code standards. You can verify a deck builder’s license via the City and County of Denver website.

Tipping

If you are satisfied with the deck-building work, tipping your contractor between 10% and 20% of the original job estimate is a common practice, but not required.

Does Building a Deck Increase Home Value?

In Denver, CO, adding a deck can boost your home’s value. This addition taps into the desire to live an indoor-outdoor lifestyle in a city that receives an average of 300 sunny days and boasts dreamy mountain views. It’s a desirable selling point for potential homebuyers and can offer an average return on investment (ROI) of 65% to 80% if you pick quality materials and a construction style that can handle heavy winter snow loads.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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