How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck in St. Louis? [2025 Data]

A new deck is a great way to claim your spot in The Lou’s day-to-day rhythm, whether you're grilling in Soulard, watching fireworks over Forest Park, or simply enjoying a view of your flowerbeds. The cost to build a deck in St. Louis averages $12,336, with most projects running between $6,088 and $18,584. Bigger decks, custom designs, and highly weather-resistant materials may push your budget higher, but they’ll keep your outdoor space strong through all four seasons.

Deck Building Cost Factors

In St. Louis, your deck building costs often come down to how well it can withstand the city's unpredictable climate and challenging soil conditions. 

Summers regularly climb into the 90s, accompanied by heavy humidity that wears on wood, while winters bring ice and snow that test every railing and footing. Add in the region's clay-rich ground and the sloped lots common in neighborhoods like Clayton or Kirkwood, and you'll see why prices vary so much from one project to the next.

That's why homeowners often focus less on generic price ranges and more on who to hire to build a deck. A local contractor familiar with the area's weather and soil conditions can recommend the right materials, foundation depth, and design choices that protect your investment year after year.

Size

Most new decks cost $45 to $90 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 $3 to $67 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 $3 to $7 per square foot

• Composite deck materials cost $18 to $33 per square foot

• Ipe wood decking costs $15 to $30 per square foot

• Tigerwood costs about $10 to $22 per square foot

• Mahogany costs $12 to $16 per square foot

• Redwood decking costs $7 to $52 per square foot

• Bamboo decking costs $4 to $15 per square foot

• Cedar decking costs $4 to $10 per square foot

• Metal or aluminum decking costs $22 to $30 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 $30 to $90 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: $1,500–$3,000

• 10x10 second-story deck: $6,000–$7,500

Framing

Framing a deck, which ensures the unit's joints are structurally safe and sound, costs $13 to $18 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 $30 to $67 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: $37–$75 per stair

• Electricity cost: $195–$450 per outdoor outlet

• Outdoor lighting fixtures cost: $75–$750

• Heaters cost:  $150–$450

• Outdoor misting system cost: $3,100–$5,100

• Sofa, chairs, and table cost: $750+

• Outdoor fireplace cost: $2,200–$12,000

• Retractable deck awning cost: $900–$5,200

Deck Pro Costs

Hiring a deck pro in St. Louis isn't just hiring someone with a toolbelt. Working with people who understand the quirks of the local weather, neighborhoods, and building codes is essential. From permits to tipping, here's what to know before building that dream deck overlooking the Gateway Arch or your vegetable garden in Dogtown.

Local Labor Rates

St. Louis labor costs are a little more affordable than in many U.S. cities, thanks to the cost of living being 6% lower than the national average. That means you'll pay less for skilled carpenters, electricians, and deck crews than in bigger cities like Chicago. Still, prices climb for a seasoned pro who's used to dealing with Missouri's clay-heavy soil or tricky hillside lots in areas like Webster Groves or Clifton Heights. And while Missouri doesn't issue a statewide contractor license, St. Louis has its own playbook. Deck builders working inside city limits need a Graduated Business License (GBL) from the License Collector's Office.

Permits

You'll need a building permit to add or replace a deck in the City of St. Louis and most of St. Louis County. The exact price will depend on your project's estimated cost, but city fees start around $45 for smaller builds costing less than $1,000 and increase from there.

Local inspectors will check your plans against city codes and setback requirements, meaning your deck can't creep too close to your neighbor's fence, even if you swear you measured twice. A local pro knows how to navigate both the paperwork and the quirks of city zoning, which saves you time and potential thorns in your side later.

Sales Tax on Materials

In St. Louis, the combined sales tax rate is 9.679%, but here's the twist: Contractors pay that tax up front on materials, not you. When your builder buys lumber, screws, or decking boards, they pay the sales tax at that time, and that cost is baked into your project price. You won't see an extra line item for tax on your invoice, because labor isn't taxed and the finished deck counts as a permanent improvement to your property.

Tipping

Tipping your crew isn't required in St. Louis, but it's a classy move, especially if the team worked through high heat or winter sleet to finish on time, or gave you a nice discount on your composite decking costs.

For smaller jobs, $10 to $20 per worker is a nice gesture. For larger builds or exceptional service, 10% to 20% of the project cost demonstrates major appreciation. Alternatively, a glowing review on Yelp, Angi, or Google and referrals to your neighbors can mean more to a local contractor than cash ever could. 

Does Building a Deck Increase Home Value?

A beautifully constructed deck adds square footage and big-time home value in The Gateway to the West. Homeowners here see an average ROI of about 83%, translating to roughly $3,600 to $10,400 in added resale value. But ROI in St. Louis isn’t just about numbers. It’s about livability.

When it’s time to sell, buyers notice decks that work for real life in Missouri: Safe railings that meet code, energy-efficient lighting that extends patio season, and layouts designed for easy movement, following universal design principles.

Aesthetics matter, too. A deck that complements a brick bungalow in Tower Grove or a midcentury in Creve Coeur will always attract attention. When form meets function and safety meets style, that’s where St. Louis homeowners see the biggest return.

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.