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

A deck can significantly expand your outdoor living space, offering room for entertaining, relaxing, and more. But building a deck doesn’t come cheap. The cost to build a deck in Atlanta ranges from $3,707 to $11,862, with the average project costing $7,674. Below, explore the main factors that can affect your deck-building costs, from the size and material of the deck to your chosen add-ons.

Deck Building Cost Factors

The cost to build a deck in Atlanta, GA, depends on the project. Learn about the cost factors that will affect your budget.

Size

Most new decks cost $30 to $50 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:

Material

Your chosen deck material will account for a large portion of your total budget, ranging from $2 to $40 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 to $5 per square foot 

• Composite deck materials cost $11 to $20 per square foot 

• Ipe wood decking costs $9 to $18 per square foot 

• Tigerwood costs about $6 to $14 per square foot

• Mahogany costs $7 to $10 per square foot 

• Redwood decking costs $5 to $30 per square foot

• Bamboo decking costs $3 to $9 per square foot

• Cedar decking costs $3 to $6 per square foot 

• Metal or aluminum decking costs $14 to $18 per square foot

With a humid subtropical climate, Atlanta has muggy, hot summers and short, wet winters. Choosing the right deck material for this climate can help your deck last longer. Explore the pros and cons of some popular deck materials below.

Deck Type

Simply put, the more complex your deck build is, the higher the cost will be. Some types of decks, such as wraparound, multi-tier, and rooftop decks, require greater accessibility, additional preparation work, and often more materials.

For example, if you want to build a floating deck, it will likely cost about $18 to $55 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 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 more challenging 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: $910–$1,820

• 10x10 second-story deck: $3,640–$4,550

Framing

Framing a deck, which ensures the unit's joints are structurally safe and sound, costs $8 to $11 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 $18 to $41 per square foot, depending on the type of material used. 

Add-Ons

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

• Staircase cost: $25–$45 per stair

• Electricity cost: $120–$270 per outdoor outlet

• Outdoor lighting fixtures cost: $50–$460

• Heaters cost: $90–$270

• Outdoor misting system cost: $1,910–$3,090

• Sofa, chairs, and table cost: $460+

• Outdoor fireplace cost: $1,370–$7,280

• Retractable deck awning cost: $550–$3,190

Deck Pro Costs

Hiring a deck pro in Atlanta, GA, ensures a properly-installed deck that can withstand the humidity and potential tropical storms. Learn more about the factors that affect the cost of hiring a pro for this project.

Labor

Atlanta’s cost of living is about 4% below the national average, so labor costs may be lower than in other major metro areas. It’ll typically cost between $14 and $32 per square foot in labor costs to build a deck in Atlanta. The exact cost may depend on your location within the city and the experience level of the pro you hire to build your deck.

Permits

The City of Atlanta generally requires homeowners to apply for a permit before building a deck on their property. You can apply for a permit and pay any associated fees online. You can either apply for the permit yourself or have your deck builder apply on your behalf. 

Insurance

When you add a deck to your home, you must contact your homeowners insurance company to let them know. The deck may be covered by the main dwelling policy or an “other structures” policy, depending on whether it’s attached or unattached to your home. Ask your insurance provider whether adding a deck will increase your annual premiums.

Taxes

The City of Atlanta has a combined sales tax rate of 8.9%. Check that you’ve included taxes in your budget planning to avoid nasty surprises. And if you’re leaving the material purchases to your deck builder, ask them to include taxes in your estimate.

Does Building a Deck Increase Home Value?

Building a deck will generally impact your home value positively, though the exact impact can depend on the deck material and where you live. The 2025 Cost vs. Value Report from the Journal of Light Construction lists an 81.1% return on investment (ROI) in Atlanta for a composite deck addition and a 79.9% ROI for a wood deck addition.

That means you could add between $7,990 and $8,110 to the sale price of your house when you spend $10,000 on a new deck. However, you could see a smaller or larger return on investment depending on the real estate market when you sell.

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. 

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.