Deck and porch service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Building a deck in Washington, D.C., typically costs between $40 and $80 per square foot.
The deck’s material can affect the cost; humidity-resistant materials, such as composite, cedar, and ipe, are ideal for D.C.’s climate but are more expensive than other materials.
The cost of living in Washington, D.C., is 39% higher than the national average, which means labor costs are also higher.
Don’t forget to factor the 6% sales tax rate in D.C. into your budget.
A deck is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a busy day. However, building a deck can be quite expensive. The average cost to build a deck in Washington, D.C., is $11,039, with most homeowners paying between $6,159 and $15,951. Your exact cost will depend on the deck size, material, type, height, and more. Learn how each of these factors impacts your cost for this project.
What’s the cost of building a deck in Washington, D.C.? It depends. Below, learn more about each factor affecting the total cost.
Most new decks cost $40 to $80 per square foot. The higher end of that range represents deck projects built on second stories, utilizing high-end wood, or customized designs. See the table below for general estimates based on the size of your deck:
| Deck Size in Feet | Average Cost in Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|
| 10x10 | $4,000–$8,000 |
| 10x12 | $4,800–$9,600 |
| 12x12 | $5,760–$11,520 |
| 12x16 | $7,680–$15,360 |
| 12x20 | $9,600–$19,200 |
| 14x20 | $11,200–$22,400 |
| 12x24 | $11,520–$23,040 |
| 16x20 | $12,800–$25,600 |
| 20x20 | $16,000–$32,000 |
Your chosen deck material will make up a large portion of your total budget, ranging from $3 to $60 per square foot. You might be tempted to choose less-expensive materials to save money, but this 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 in Washington, D.C.:
Pressure-treated wood costs $3 to $7 per square foot
Composite deck materials cost $16 to $30 per square foot
Ipe wood decking costs $13 to $27 per square foot
Tigerwood costs about $9 to $20 per square foot
Mahogany costs $11 to $15 per square foot
Redwood decking costs $7 to $47 per square foot
Bamboo decking costs $4 to $13 per square foot
Cedar decking costs $4 to $9 per square foot
Metal or aluminum decking costs $20 to $27 per square foot
| Decking Material | Pros in Washington, D.C. | Cons in Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | Low-cost and easily customizable | Requires treatment to protect it from humidity |
| Composite decking | Low-maintenance and long-lasting | May get hot underfoot during summer |
| Ipe wood | Good for humid conditions | Difficult and time-consuming to install |
| Tigerwood | Unique aesthetic | Annual sealing required |
| Mahogany | Rich, dark color | Can be expensive and hard to install |
| Redwood | Lightweight and easy to work with | Requires refinishing every few years |
| Bamboo | Highly durable and environmentally friendly | Requires thorough sealing in humid climates |
| Cedar | Naturally rot- and insect-resistant | Scratches easily and requires regular maintenance |
| Aluminum/metal | Extremely strong and resistant to humidity | Gets hot underfoot when in direct sunlight |
Simply put, the more complex your deck build is, the higher the cost. Certain 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 $27 to $80 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.
The type of deck you build will likely be determined by where it’s installed. A second-story deck (which some contractors might consider 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: $1,340–$2,680
10x10 second-story deck: $5,360–$6,700
Framing a deck, which ensures the unit's joints are structurally safe and sound, costs $12 to $16 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.
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 $27 to $60 per square foot, depending on the type of material used.
Here are some other costs you might incur if you upgrade from a simple deck build:
Staircase cost: $30–$70 per stair
Electricity cost: $170–$400 per outdoor outlet
Outdoor lighting fixtures cost: $70–$670
Heaters cost: $130–$400
Outdoor misting system cost: $2,810–$4,560
Sofa, chairs, and table cost: $670+
Outdoor fireplace cost: $2,010–$10,720
Retractable deck awning cost: $800–$4,690
Hiring a deck installation pro in Washington, D.C., is the best way to build your new deck. Although doing it yourself can save money, it may cost more in the long run if installation problems arise that require professional assistance. Learn more about what you can expect to pay a D.C.-area pro to build a deck.
Expect to pay between $20 and $50 per square foot to hire a contractor who builds decks. Labor costs are higher in the D.C. area compared to other areas of the country due to the capital’s relatively high cost of living—39% higher than the national average, to be precise.
Before you can build a deck, you must secure a permit. Washington, D.C., requires a homeowner or contractor to get a deck permit before construction begins. You can apply for a permit online. Permits start at $36.30, but if your project will cost more than $1,001, you’ll pay between $55.02 and $22,033, depending on the total cost.
Construction is only one part of the cost to build a deck. You’ll need to inform your insurance provider about the addition to ensure your policy covers it. If the deck is attached to your home, it should be covered by your dwelling portion of your policy. Floating decks will be covered by the “other structures” portion.
Washington, D.C., has a sales tax rate of 6%. You’ll pay taxes on materials and labor for your deck construction project. Ask your deck installer for an itemized estimate to determine how much you’ll pay in total taxes.
Professional installation ensures that the deck is built to code, minimizing the risk of costly repairs or replacements due to structural issues, improper materials, or faulty construction techniques. Moreover, pros have access to industry discounts on materials and tools, which can reduce up front costs.
A deck doesn’t just add outdoor living space to your home—it can also increase your home’s value. According to the Journal of Light Construction’s 2025 Cost vs. Value report, a composite deck addition has a 107.1% return on investment in Washington, D.C., while a wood deck addition has an ROI of 85.6%.
Therefore, if you spend $20,000 on a composite deck, you can expect to add $21,420 to your home’s value. Spending $10,000 on a wood deck will add around $8,560 to your home’s value. Regardless of the value added, a deck can enhance your daily life by providing a calm and relaxing outdoor space perfect for entertaining family and friends.
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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
We highly recommend these guys. They've done 2 deck projects for, hardwood flooring and custom glass doors for us in Washington, DC. A ground level deck and rooftop deck using Trex decking and separate properties. Neighbors love our rooftop.
DCO Remodeling LLCI had a portion of my deck that seemed rotted and needed to be replaced, so hired them to come and fix that part, but it was pretty obvious that all of the boards were in bad shape and it was much more cost-effective to just redo the whole thing. So they were able to quickly adjust the...
Titan Builders LLCTrio Homes did an outstanding job in building a new deck and putting up new siding on the back of our home. We are extremely pleased and will be using them for future projects.
Trio HomesKen and his team were incredible to work with. My deck and the vinyl siding they added to my house look amazing! I would absolutely work with this team again.
Mr. Contractor IncSept. 15th 2023 Repair work was done to an area of my porch roof that was rotting. The work was performed very professionally and you can't tell there was ever a problem. They also painted the repair area, porch columns and installed two new down spouts at a very fair price.
Louise AugustI hired them to repair my deck and Iâ m pleased with the results .
Ginnis Contracting Inc.Hired for exterior house paint and staining of our back deck. They did great work, used high quality materials, and were incredibly responsive in regards to quotes, products, and scheduling. Competitive pricing and had better availability than others we contacted. Highly recommend!
Hutchinson Custom PaintingI hired Jon and his crew to build a deck on the back of my house with a screen porch underneath. He built it so sturdily that the inspector asked whether we were going to put a hot tub on it. From the beginning to the end, Jon was communicative and honest in his assessment of time and...
Able to handle scope of my project which included drainage issues, wood deck, paver patio and screened porch. The crew was on time, cleaned up every day, very skillful and meticulous about the work they completed. One of my neighbors already plans to hire them to replace their front steps...
FG General Construction redid my deck with trex composite and installed new railing. It looks very good! They fixed small errors at my request. I would use them again.
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