These are fully installed costs including materials, labor, and standard hardware for 2025–2026:

• Pressure-treated lumber: $20–$35/sq ft installed. The workhorse of residential decks. Lasts 15–20 years with proper maintenance (annual staining/sealing). Expect to spend $200–$400/year on upkeep.
• Cedar: $30–$50/sq ft installed. Naturally rot-resistant and beautiful. Lasts 15–25 years. Still needs periodic sealing but less chemical treatment than PT lumber.
• Standard composite (Trex Select, TimberTech Edge): $35–$55/sq ft installed. Low maintenance, 25-year warranty. The sweet spot for most homeowners. No staining or sealing required.
• Premium composite (Trex Transcend, TimberTech Pro): $45–$70/sq ft installed. Better color retention, more realistic wood grain, 25–50 year warranties.
• PVC decking (Azek, TimberTech Advanced): $50–$75/sq ft installed. The most durable option. Completely moisture-proof. Excellent for pool decks and coastal areas.
• Ipe (Brazilian hardwood): $55–$85/sq ft installed. Stunning natural beauty and incredible durability (40+ years). Very heavy and requires specialized installation.

For a typical 300 sq ft deck, expect to pay $6,000–$10,500 for pressure-treated lumber or $10,500–$16,500 for standard composite.

The decking boards themselves are only part of the cost. These factors significantly impact your total:

• Deck height: Ground-level decks are cheapest. Every foot of elevation adds cost for posts, bracing, and stairs. An elevated deck (4+ feet) can cost 50–100% more than ground-level.
• Substructure: Even composite decks need a wood frame (pressure-treated or steel). This runs $8–$15/sq ft and is often a separate line item.
• Footings and foundations: Concrete footings run $100–$300 each. A typical deck needs 6–12 footings. Helical piles ($200–$500 each) are faster but more expensive.
• Railings: $20–$60 per linear foot. Wood railings are cheapest; cable rail and glass panels are premium. A 300 sq ft deck might need 50+ linear feet of railing — that's $1,000–$3,000 on top of the deck cost.
• Stairs: $75–$200 per step. A set of 4 steps runs $300–$800. Long stairways for elevated decks can cost $2,000–$5,000.
• Permits: Most decks over 200 sq ft or 30 inches above grade require permits: $200–$800.

• No mention of footings or foundation: Every deck needs a proper foundation. If the quote doesn't mention footings, the contractor may be planning to set posts on blocks or even directly on the ground — a code violation that leads to structural failure.
• No ledger board detail: How the deck attaches to your house is critical. The ledger board connection should include flashing to prevent water infiltration. This is the #1 cause of deck collapses.
• Undersized lumber: A quote specifying 2×6 joists on 24-inch centers for a deck that should have 2×8 or 2×10 joists on 16-inch centers is a structural problem. Ask what joist size and spacing they're using and why.
• "Materials included" without specifications: What brand of composite? What grade of pressure-treated lumber (#1 or #2)? What type of hardware (stainless, galvanized, or plain steel)? Vague material specs mean the contractor will use whatever's cheapest.
• No engineering for elevated decks: Decks over 4 feet high or attached to the house should have engineered drawings. If your contractor skips this, your deck may not meet code — and you'll discover that when you try to sell your house.

Homeowners often focus on upfront cost, but the total cost of ownership tells a different story:

Pressure-treated wood (20-year lifecycle):

• Installation: $7,500 (300 sq ft × $25/sq ft)
• Annual staining/sealing: $300/year × 20 years = $6,000
• Board replacements over 20 years: ~$1,500
• Total: ~$15,000

Standard composite (25-year lifecycle):

• Installation: $13,500 (300 sq ft × $45/sq ft)
• Annual maintenance: $50/year × 25 years = $1,250 (just cleaning)
• Total: ~$14,750

Over the lifetime of the deck, composite often costs the same or less — with far less hassle.