Decks · Guides

Deck guides

A deck project runs in a fixed order: decide size and height, choose material, price it against $15 to $55 per square foot installed, confirm permit requirements with your local building department, get three itemized bids, then build and inspect. Skipping the permit and inspection step is the mistake that costs the most later.

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Planning. Start with size and height, because those drive cost more than material does. Platform decks are $10 to $30 per square foot, raised $25 to $50, two-story $30 to $60, multi-level $30 to $75, covered $40 to $100. A 240 square foot deck runs $3,600 to $13,200. Decide the railing material at this stage too — it swings from $30 to $210 per linear foot installed.

Materials. The honest question is not which board is best but how much maintenance you will actually do. Wood at $15 to $25 per square foot installed plus staining every two to three years, versus composite at $28 to $40 with cleaning only. Both are defensible; only one matches your habits.

Hiring. Get three itemized bids on the same drawing. Ask each builder: what species and size are the joists, what is the joist spacing, how is the ledger attached and flashed, how are the guard posts attached, and who pulls the permit. Those five questions separate builders quickly. Labor is $10 to $35 per square foot, so a bid far below the others is not a bargain, it is a different scope.

Building and inspection. Expect a framing inspection before anything is covered and a final inspection at the end. The deck should not be used or occupied until final inspection and approval is obtained. Keep every document.

How to choose

Draw it before you price it: Bids are only comparable against one drawing with one square footage, one deck height, and one railing spec.
Ask the five framing questions: Joist species and size, spacing, ledger attachment and flashing, guard post attachment, permit responsibility. Vague answers are the answer.
Check the license and insurance yourself: Contractor licensing is set by state and sometimes by city. Verify with the issuing agency directly rather than accepting a copy of a card.
Structure the payment schedule around inspections: Tie a meaningful payment to passing the framing inspection and the final. Never pay the balance before final approval.
Read the manufacturer's warranty document yourself: Decking warranties vary by product line and by whether the deck was installed to the manufacturer's instructions. Get the actual PDF, not a summary.

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All decks guides

Deck Planning Guide

Deck Design Guide

Deck Material Selection Guide

Deck Building Process Guide

Deck Permit Guide

Deck HOA Approval Guide

Deck Maintenance Guide

Deck Staining Guide

Deck Safety Guide

Deck Timeline Guide

Hiring a Deck Builder

Deck Warranty Guide

Seasonal Deck Construction Guide

Climate Durability for Decks

Deck Drainage Guide

Deck Trend Guide 2026

FAQ

Decks guides — common questions

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What should I ask a deck builder?

Joist species, size and spacing; how the ledger is attached and flashed; how guard posts are attached; who pulls the permit; and what is excluded from the bid. Exclusions are where change orders come from.

How many bids should I get?

Three, on the same drawing. With installed costs spanning $15 to $55 per square foot, a single quote gives you no way to judge.

What order does a deck get built in?

Layout and utility locate, footings, posts, beams, ledger and flashing, joists, framing inspection, decking, railing and stairs, final inspection.

Do I need drawings?

Usually. What your building department requires — and whether they need to be stamped — is local. Ask them directly before you pay anyone to draw anything.

Sources

Where these figures come from

Fixr — Cost to Build a Deck · retrieved 2026-07-26
American Wood Council — DCA 6 Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide · retrieved 2026-07-26
Fixr — Deck Staining Cost · retrieved 2026-07-26