How Much Does a Pressure-Treated Wood Deck Cost? [2026 Data]

Pressure-Treated Decking Cost Factors

How much you’ll pay for a pressure-treated wood deck depends on many different cost factors. Let’s take a look at the main things to consider to get an accurate estimate.

Types

The type of deck you’re building has a significant impact on your project cost. For example, if you’re building a floating deck, your price tag will be lower than if you build a deck attached to your home or a multi-story deck with a more complex design. The table below includes average prices for different types of pressure-treated decks at an average size of 350 square feet.

Size

The average pressure-treated deck cost per square foot is $40, and your price can range from $15 up to $75 per square foot, depending on the type of deck, the location, and the number of footings you need. Many contractors will offer discounts on the per-square foot cost for larger decks and more guaranteed work, but your total will always be higher as the size of the deck increases.

Quality

You can choose from standard pressure-treated lumber and ground-contact pressure-treated lumber for your decking materials. Professionals will use ground-contact lumber for pieces connected to footings, those that will contact the soil, and structural components, like joists. For deck boards, you can choose either. Ground-contact lumber will cost 30% to 50% more but will also stand up to the elements and repel wood-destroying insects better.

Materials

A wood deck requires concrete for footings, hardware, brackets, and lumber in a variety of dimensions, but you can get a good estimate for the total cost of your materials by assuming an average cost of $10 to $25 per square foot. The remainder of your total will go toward labor.

Labor

Labor accounts for between 50% and 70% of your total. The labor cost to build a deck per square foot is between $8 and $40, or between $4,000 and $5,600 for a standard-size deck. Labor costs can increase with deck complexity and design, the type of deck you’re installing, and the cost of living in your area.

Preparations

You’ll also want to factor in the cost of preparing your deck’s foundation if you don’t already have one and need one for your deck type. This expense can add anywhere between $25 and $300 per foundation post. If you’re simply replacing old decking with new pressure-treated wood, you may be able to salvage your current foundation and avoid this expense.

Location

Where you decide to install your deck has a major impact on your project’s cost. A second-story deck, also known as a balcony deck, is more expensive to build than a first-story deck because of the additional materials and reinforcement costs. Additionally, if your yard isn’t conducive to the use of machinery to transport materials or mix and pour concrete for the footings, you could pay higher prices for manual labor.

Permits

Decks with footings are considered permanent improvements to your property and will require a permit, which will add between $50 and $250 to your total, depending on your location. Some municipalities may not require permits at all, so you should check with your professional or your local building department to confirm during your planning stage.

Pressure-Treated Decking Cost by Type

The type of deck you’re building can drastically increase the cost of your project. With that in mind, here is a breakdown of the different types of decks and how much you can expect to spend.

Ground-Level

Anticipate spending between $15 and $25 per square foot, or $20 per square foot on average, to construct a pressure-treated, ground-level deck. A ground-level deck is the most common. It’s attached to the back of the house on one end and rests on footers on the other. These straightforward decks don’t usually have a stairway or railings, which keeps installation costs low.

Floating

Floating decks cost anywhere between $20 and $60 per square foot. A floating deck or freestanding deck is a stand-alone structure that, as you probably guessed, doesn’t connect to your home. These are common around pools and in larger yards where homeowners want a standalone spot to entertain. This deck type needs additional framing materials and additional concrete footings for support.

Second-Story

A second-story deck, also called a raised deck, costs between $40 and $50 per square foot to install. This type of deck needs footings and often makes use of larger posts—6-inch-by-6-inch or 8-inch-by-8-inch posts—for extra support. As such, you’ll see an increase in the cost per square foot.

Multi-Level

On average, building a multi-level deck ranges between $30 and $75 per square foot. Multi-level decks require more design components and materials than most of the other options, including steps, a stairway, and pillars or posts, putting them at the top of the price range. 

Ongoing Costs to Consider

On top of your normal up-front costs, it’s also important to factor in costs that you’ll incur over time. Below are a few of the most common additional costs associated with treated lumber decks.

Maintenance

Deck maintenance can be a costly undertaking, but maintaining your deck is an essential part of deck safety. You’ll need to inspect your deck’s surface annually, clean your deck on an as-needed basis, and seal your deck every one to two years. Sealing a deck costs between $0.75 and $4 per square foot, but you can keep costs to a total of $30 to $80 by doing the work yourself. It’s also a good idea to remove leaves regularly to avoid rot and give your deck a visual inspection after extreme weather conditions.

Repairs

The cost to repair a deck ranges anywhere from $800 to $3,200 on average. Pressure-treated lumber prices fall between $10 and $25 per square foot to replace, and your total will depend on the extent and location of the damage.

Insurance and Taxes

Adding a deck to your property may increase the value of your home, but it can also lead to an increase in your homeowner's insurance premium, and any deck with footings will cause your property taxes to go up. Contact your insurance company and your local department of taxation and finance before you start building your deck to avoid any surprise charges.

Why You Should Hire a Pro to Pressure-Treat Your Deck 

A deck-building pro near you will charge around $4,000 in labor fees. However, this is a large project where the experience of a pro is absolutely worth the initial sticker shock. 

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a pressure-treated deck pro

DIYing this job would be an enormous project, which is why you should hire a pro. Some other reasons to leave this to a professional are:

• A pro will know exactly which materials to use based on your wood type and its age. 

• It’s easy to cause damage, and an experienced pro will know how to avoid this. 

• In case there is damage down the road, the warranty of a pro and their insurance will come in handy. 

• The work of a pro tends to be more consistent and long-lasting. 

• Professional work avoids a splotchy final product. 

• Hiring a pro saves DIYers days or even weeks of difficult work. 

If you want to DIY a pressure-treated deck

We recommend you leave the work to a pro, but there are still some things you can do to assist with the project:

• Thoroughly clean the deck, but do not pressure wash it. 

• Move all furniture away from the area. 

• If you have tree limbs or bushes against the deck, trim them back. 

• Make sure the deck has a solid foundation and is in good condition.

Cost of Common Pressure-Treated Decking Add-Ons

While you’re budgeting for your new wood deck, you may want to consider the following add-on services that can help elevate your outdoor space and add even more value to your property.

• Cost to add deck stairs: $100–$200 per step

• Landscaping lighting cost: $3,000–$6,000 

• Fire pit cost: $200–$3,000

• Outdoor furniture cost: $200–$1,800

• Retractable awning cost: $1,500–$3,500

How to Save Money When Installing a Pressure-Treated Deck

The cost of building a deck can quickly get out of hand and push you over budget. As such, finding ways to save on your total cost can help you keep some of that investment safe and sound in your wallet. Follow these tips to reduce the cost of your pressure-treated deck.

1. Build a smaller deck. Every additional ten square foot you install will bump up your total by an average of $4,000.

2. Choose materials wisely. You should always use ground-contact lumber for posts and any portion that may come in contact with the soil or vegetation, but you could save 30% to 50% on the cost of some materials by choosing aboveground deck boards and railings.

3. Pick a ground-level deck instead of a raised or multi-level deck. If your space allows for it, a ground-level deck can easily be half the cost of more complex deck types.

4. Compare local installation prices to find the best deal. Shop around and get at least three estimates to compare.

5. Pick an off-season time to build. Landscaping companies are busiest in the spring and summer. Consider installing your deck in the fall or winter to save.

6. Maintain your deck yourself. You can save in the long run by resealing your deck and carrying out minor repairs yourself rather than hiring a pro. Maintenance will also help your deck last longer.

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 extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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.