14×16 composite raised deck
3 ft height, railing, one stair flight, mid tier.
Often mid-five figures installed — compare per-sf against `/home/cost/deck-building` bands.
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Deck Project Planner
Size, height and material → footing-to-railing budget, trades and IRC inspection reminders.
Budget range
$18,416
to $22,917 · 3–8 weeks
| Category | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Footings & posts | $998 | $1,242 |
| Framing & hardware | $3,992 | $4,967 |
| Decking boards | $8,467 | $10,537 |
| Railing system | $2,691 | $3,349 |
| Stairs & landings | $1,980 | $2,464 |
| Permit & inspection | $288 | $358 |
- Trade sequence
- Layout & permits → Footings cure → Frame & ledger → Decking & rail → Final inspection
- Trades involved
- Deck builder or carpenter, Concrete (footings)
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Decking | 224 sq ft — composite |
| Ledger flashing | 1 — bolt pattern per code |
| Railing | Height & baluster spacing in spec |
| Concrete | Bags or truck — footing count in plan |
Likely hidden costs
House sheathing rot at ledger · Rock excavation for footings · HOA design review delay · Upgrade to composite after PT quote
Deck project plan
Budget $18,416 – $22,917 · 3–8 weeks
Pre-sign checklist
- Permit scope matches drawing
- Ledger detail on plan
- Material species and fastener type listed
- Stair rise/run within code
- Warranty on structural vs boards
Questions for contractors
- Ledger bolted with flashing — not nailed?
- Frost depth for footings in your county?
- Railing load and baluster spacing per IRC?
- Who calls 811 for utilities?
Quick answer
A new attached deck often costs roughly $35–$70 per square foot installed for composite at raised height with railing, and less for ground-level pressure-treated wood. Size, height, material, and stairs drive the range below — verify ledger flashing, footing depth, and guardrail code with your contractor.
What this assumes
- Illustrative defaults — replace with your actual costs and local rules.
Understanding the result
How to use this
Size, height and material → footing-to-railing budget, trades and IRC inspection reminders.
How the math works
Deck area, height above grade, material, railing, and stairs scale footings, framing, decking, and permit lines. Height multipliers reflect bracing and labor for raised decks; composite and hardwood raise material share versus pressure-treated.
Where to find each input
- Length × width — plan dimensions; add 5–10% waste on boards
- Height — measure top of ledger to grade for footing depth rules
- Material — PT vs composite vs hardwood on quote
- Railing — linear feet of open sides plus stair runs
- Stair flights — count from grade breaks to deck surface
Worked examples
12×12 PT platform
Low height, no stairs, no rail (verify code), budget tier.
Material-heavy, lower labor — still need ledger flashing and footings per IRC.
20×14 hardwood with two stairs
Premium hardwood, 4 ft height, full rail.
Hardwood and height drive top of range; verify stainless fasteners and annual maintenance budget.
What this does not include
- Under-deck drainage systems
- Outdoor kitchen gas run
- Hot tub structural engineering
- Staining schedule after PT install
- HOA design fees
Regional adjustment
Frost depth footings vary from 12 inches to 48+ inches — northern climates add concrete cost. Coastal corrosion may require stainless hardware. Seismic and high-wind areas need additional lateral bracing.
Accuracy and references
Guardrail height (36 in residential typical), baluster spacing, and ledger bolting follow IRC deck provisions — confirm local amendments. Cost bands align with RSMeans residential wood deck medians.
Counterpart bridge
Pricing this on the contractor side?
This page interprets quotes and budgets from the buyer’s chair. The matching pro tool uses the same scope logic to build a defensible price.
Open Deck Material CalculatorFor trade owners
Pricing this job as a contractor?
Homeowners see national ranges on this page. If you are building the estimate, use the same scope assumptions — then price to burdened labor, overhead recovery and a real margin.
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No paid placement
Rankings are never sold. Order reflects verification depth and relevance, not payment.
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Common questions
Is this free?
Yes — runs in your browser, no account required.
Do I need a permit?
Most attached decks and many detached platforms require permit — verify with AHJ.
Ledger or freestanding?
Attached decks need flashed ledger with bolts — not nails only.
Composite vs wood?
Composite higher upfront, lower staining; PT lowest material, annual maintenance.
How deep are footings?
Below local frost line — contractor should cite depth on plan.
When can I use the deck?
After final inspection — especially railings and stairs.
Who calls 811?
Contractor should document utility locate before digging footings.
What is the hidden cost?
Rot at ledger or rim joist when flashing failed on old deck.
Railing required?
Typically when deck surface is 30 in+ above grade — local rules apply.
How long to build?
2–6 weeks including footing cure and inspections.
Can I expand later?
Yes — plan footings and beam splices; may need new permit for extension.
You may also need
The next decision usually follows directly from this one.
- Cost guideDeck Building CostBuilding a new attached or freestanding wood or composite deck with railing and stairs.
- CalculatorDeck Material CalculatorEstimate joists, beams, decking, fasteners and footings for a deck frame.
- CalculatorProject Contingency CalculatorProject type, home age and scope certainty → recommended contingency percent.