How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck in New York, NY? [2025 Data]

Adding a deck to your New York City home can be a smart investment, but it doesn’t come cheap. Between permits, labor, and the challenges of working in a dense urban area, costs here are often higher than the national average. We’ll walk you through what goes into the cost of building a deck in NYC so you know what to expect before you start planning.

Deck Building Cost Factors

The price of a deck in New York City largely depends on its size, the materials you choose, and the complexity of the design. Bigger decks require more labor and supplies, while premium materials like composite or hardwood cost more than standard lumber. Even details like the height of the deck and the type of framing used can significantly impact your final budget.

Size

Most new decks cost $30 to $60 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 to $45 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 $12 to $22 per square foot 

• Ipe wood decking costs $10 to $20 per square foot 

• Tigerwood costs about $7 to $15 per square foot

• Mahogany costs $8 to $11 per square foot 

• Redwood decking costs $5 and $35 per square foot

• Bamboo decking costs $3 to $10 per square foot

• Cedar decking costs $3 to $7 per square foot

• Metal or aluminum decking costs $15 to $20 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 $20 to $60 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: $1,000–$2,000

• 10x10 second-story deck: $4,000–$5,000

Framing

Framing a deck, which ensures the unit's joints are structurally safe and sound, costs $9 to $12 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 $20 to $45 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

Building a deck in New York City isn’t as simple as just hiring someone to hammer a few boards together. There are extra costs and rules you’ll need to factor in, thanks to strict safety codes, labor requirements, and the challenges of working in such a packed city.

Labor

Space is at a premium in NYC, making deck-building logistics quite challenging. Tight working spaces, restricted delivery hours, and labor shortages affect productivity and overall cost. In fact, a skilled deck contractor in New York can cost upward of $100 per hour. Unionized workers, common in New York, can command a 20% to 30% premium.

Permits

The City of New York requires formal permits for most deck construction. While minor surface-level repairs may sometimes proceed without a permit, any structural change or new construction requires plans and permits approved by the New York Department of Buildings. 

Permits cost $0.25 per square foot for projects under $100,000. That means you can expect permit costs to range from $475 to $6,000.

Licensing and Certification

NYC deck pros must hold the appropriate licenses and business registration:

• General Contractor License: The DOB requires all contractors working on decks, porches, and similar structures to hold a valid city General Contractor’s License—and to register officially with a business address in NY.

• Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) License: For residential jobs, contractors must also hold an HIC license issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs.

• Specialty Trade Licensing: All subcontractors (plumbing, electrical) must hold their own city/state licenses and obtain trade-specific permits.

Does Building a Deck Increase Home Value?

A well-designed and code-compliant deck is one of the rare home upgrades in New York City that can yield a substantial return on investment, both financially and in terms of quality of life. A quality wood deck in New York City can recoup between 68% and 75% of its construction cost at resale—outperforming many interior renovations.

In a city starved for private outdoor space, sellers consistently command higher listing prices, attract more buyers, and close deals faster for homes featuring attractive, functional decks or rooftop terraces. Deck size, well-integrated lighting/features, seamless flow with interior, code compliance/documentation, and material longevity contribute to higher ROI. 

But city context matters, too. Rooftop decks in Manhattan and Brooklyn’s historic neighborhoods often translate to premium pricing or rent. In single- or multifamily townhouses and brownstones, a backyard or parlor-level deck can be a rare value driver and a featured amenity in listing photos.

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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