How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck in Houston, TX? [2025 Data]

Building a deck in Houston, TX, costs $6,305 on average, with your final bill ranging from $3,326 to $9,472. Costs depend on the deck’s square footage, design, materials, and construction style.

Given the city enjoys almost 300 days of sunshine annually and mild winters, building a deck to enjoy year-round barbecues in your Houston yard is worth the cost. The fact that you can complete the construction work for less than the national averages makes this home improvement project all the more appealing. Investing in durable materials that withstand the scorching summer heat and the infamous Gulf Coast humidity is wise to get the highest ROI.

Deck Building Cost Factors

Deck size and material choice are major factors in determining the cost when tackling this project in Houston, TX. However, your home’s location and the deck design also influence the final bill. Weather-resistant materials and good ventilation are must-haves for the city’s high heat and humidity. If you live in a flood-prone area, you may need to invest in extra-robust structural elements.

Size

Most new decks cost $24 to $48 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 $1.60 to $36 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 $1.60 to $4 per square foot 

• Composite deck materials cost $9.60 to $17.60 per square foot 

• Ipe wood decking costs $8 to $16 per square foot 

• Tigerwood costs about $5.60 to $12 per square foot

• Mahogany costs $6.40 to $8.80 per square foot 

• Redwood decking costs $4 to $28 per square foot

• Bamboo decking costs $2.40 to $8 per square foot

• Cedar decking costs $2.40 to $5.60 per square foot 

• Metal or aluminum decking costs $12 to $16 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 $16 to $48 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: $800–$1,600

• 10x10 second-story deck: $3,200–$4,000

Framing

Framing a deck, which ensures the unit's joints are structurally safe and sound, costs $7.20 to $9.60 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 $16 to $36 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

Learning how to build a deck yourself isn’t a task for most Houston homeowners. If you don’t have carpentry skills, we recommend hiring a deck and porch pro in Houston to avoid overspending errors. They will erect your deck safely and speedily while advising on the best materials and construction style for the city’s weather conditions.

Labor

Labor costs to build a deck in Houston range from $12 to $28 per square foot. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction wages in the city are approximately 20% lower than the national average. This means that even if you’re investing in the durable materials and construction style to cope with the region’s heat, humidity, and potential for flooding, you won’t have to pay over the odds to hire a reputable pro.

Installing a deck that requires extra foundational strength, height, and ventilation in flood-prone areas of the city can result in higher costs.

Permits

If your decking doesn't exceed 200 square feet, isn't more than 30 inches above grade, and is not attached to your home or other dwelling, you may not require a building permit. For larger and taller deck constructions, budget between $40 and $180 for building permit costs. If you have any doubts, always seek clarification from the Houston Permitting Center to avoid the risk of fines or requests to dismantle the decking. 

Licensing

Always verify that a decking contractor is insured, bonded, and has a high customer satisfaction rating before accepting any quote. Since there’s no requirement to hold a general contractor's license in Houston, TX, this offers additional peace of mind in terms of securing building permits, complying with city regulations, and providing protection against liability and substandard work.

Tipping

While not essential, if you’re happy with the decking work, it’s good practice to tip your contractor between 10% and 20% of the original project estimate. For a deck building project within the average range for Houston, budget to tip between $330 and $1,800.

Does Building a Deck Increase Home Value?

Building a deck in Houston, TX, can increase your home’s value. Decks in the city offer an average return on investment (ROI) of 70% to 80% when you select high-quality materials and a construction style suited to the city’s hot, humid, flood-prone conditions. A deck is an attractive, curb-appeal boosting addition in Houston yards, adding more living space in a region that experiences year-round temperatures conducive to outdoor dining and entertaining.

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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