How to use this calculator
- Enter Deck area in sq ft.
- Enter Material.
- Press Calculate. The highlighted row is your order quantity; the note beneath it translates the number into real-world terms.
Formula & constants
2026 installed: pressure-treated $15–$25/sq ft, cedar $22–$32, composite $30–$45, premium PVC $40–$60. Elevated decks, stairs and railings push toward the top of each range. Every default in the fields above is editable — when your supplier’s spec sheet lists a different density, coverage rate or price, enter that number instead. The waste and compaction allowances follow common trade practice; see our methodology page for the derivation of each formula and the standards it references.
Where this fits in the project
Framing quantities chain together: footings support posts, joists set the deck frame, and surface boards follow. Price hardwood and specialty stock in board feet, sheet goods by the sheet.
How this connects to your project
No quantity stands alone — each material in the chain depends on the ones around it. These are the planning steps that pair with the deck cost calculator:
- Deck Calculator — Estimate total deck cost from material quantities.
- Lumber Calculator — Framing lumber is a major deck cost component.
- Joist Calculator — Joist quantity affects total framing cost.
- Board Foot Calculator — Premium decking materials priced per board foot.
- Concrete Footing Calculator — Concrete footings add to deck foundation cost.
- Stair Calculator — Deck stairs increase total project cost.
- Fence Cost Calculator — Compare deck vs fence outdoor project budgets.
Frequently asked questions
Is composite worth it over wood?
Composite costs ~80% more upfront but eliminates staining/sealing — it breaks even around year 8–10 of maintenance.
What share of deck cost is labor?
Roughly half on straightforward builds; height, stairs and custom railing shift it higher.
Last verified: — prices reflect current national averages. See our methodology.
Estimates are for planning. Material densities, coverage rates and prices vary by region and supplier — confirm final quantities before ordering, and check local code where structural or electrical work is involved.