Redwood Decking Cost: 2026 Installed Price Calculator
Mike Martin, MA CSL, is the founder and construction cost editor of RemodelingExpense. His residential construction experience informs the site’s cost research, calculators, and homeowner project guidance.
Redwood decking cost ranges from $25.00 to $40.00 per sq. ft. installed, with most 320 sq. ft. redwood decking projects costing about $8,000 to $12,800.
This estimate is for redwood deck boards and redwood deck installation, including construction heart redwood, select heart redwood, fasteners, basic framing tie-in, and local labor. It is not for pressure-treated decking, cedar decking, hardwood decking, composite decking, PVC decking, aluminum decking, deck lighting, or pool deck surfacing.
Enter your ZIP code and deck size below to estimate local material, labor, and installed cost.
Cost Calculator
Redwood Decking Cost Calculator
Redwood decking cost depends on deck size, redwood grade, construction heart redwood, select heart redwood, sapwood content, regional availability, board thickness, natural decay resistance, UV graying, staining, sealing, fastener type, board movement, framing condition, railing, stairs, demolition, permits, and local labor rates.
Your estimated cost
For 320 sq. ft.
$8,000 – $12,800
About $25 – $40 per sq. ft.
Use your estimate as a starting point, then compare real prices from local contractors.
| Cost item | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Material | $2,560 | $4,480 |
| Labor | $5,440 | $8,320 |
| Estimated installed cost | $8,000 | $12,800 |
| Installed cost per sq. ft. | $25 | $40 |
Why your price may change
- Local labor rates vary.
- Material quality affects the price.
- Old material removal, repairs, permits, or code updates can add cost.
- Hard-to-reach areas, complex layouts, rush jobs, or premium contractors may cost more.
Estimate includes local labor adjustments and may differ slightly from rounded national cost examples.
Redwood Decking Cost vs Value
Redwood Decking may recover about 50%–70% of its cost.
Bottom line: Redwood decking costs more than pressure-treated decking and often more than cedar, with value driven by board grade, regional availability, sapwood content, framing condition, railing and stair scope, staining, sealing, and long-term maintenance.
Worth it: Homeowners who want a premium natural softwood deck with strong appearance, natural decay resistance, and a warmer look than many synthetic boards.
Skip it: Projects where pressure-treated, cedar, hardwood, composite, PVC, aluminum decking, deck lighting, or pool deck surfacing is the main scope.
ROI ranges are planning estimates and should not be treated as an appraisal. This is only an estimate. Real resale value depends on your home, neighborhood, market, project quality, and buyer demand.
How to Measure Redwood Decking
Measure the deck surface in square feet. Multiply deck length by deck width, then add square footage for landings, stair treads, borders, angled cuts, and waste. A 16 ft. by 20 ft. deck is 320 sq. ft.
Redwood decking pricing changes when the quote includes new framing, railing, stairs, demolition, joist repair, permits, staining, sealing, or second-story access.
Redwood Decking Cost Factors
Contractor Reality Check
Redwood usually costs more than pressure-treated decking and often more than cedar. The biggest price swing comes from board grade, sapwood content, regional availability, and whether the job is only resurfacing existing framing or rebuilding the full deck structure.
What to Confirm Before You Sign
- Total deck size in square feet
- Redwood grade, such as construction heart or select heart
- Sapwood content and board appearance
- Deck board thickness, width, and profile
- Existing framing condition and joist spacing
- Fastener type, corrosion rating, screws, or hidden fasteners
- Railing, stairs, skirting, demolition, and disposal scope
- Staining, sealing, UV graying, and maintenance schedule
Common Redwood Decking Add-On Costs
| Item | Typical Added Cost |
|---|---|
| Old deck board removal | $2.00 – $6.00 per sq. ft. |
| Joist or framing repair | $500 – $5,000+ |
| Wood deck railing | $40 – $120 per linear ft. |
| Deck stairs | $500 – $3,000+ |
| Staining or sealing redwood decking | $1.50 – $5.00 per sq. ft. |
Redwood Decking Cost by Grade
| Redwood Decking Type | Installed Cost per Sq. Ft. | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Common redwood decking | $25.00 – $32.00 | Lower-cost redwood decks where some knots or sapwood are acceptable |
| Construction heart redwood | $30.00 – $38.00 | Better decay resistance and a stronger redwood deck board grade |
| Select heart redwood | $36.00 – $40.00+ | Premium redwood decks with cleaner boards and less sapwood content |
Cost by Redwood Deck Size
| Deck Size | Estimated Installed Cost |
|---|---|
| 200 sq. ft. | $5,000 – $8,000 |
| 320 sq. ft. | $8,000 – $12,800 |
| 400 sq. ft. | $10,000 – $16,000 |
| 500 sq. ft. | $12,500 – $20,000 |
Is Redwood Decking Worth It?
Redwood decking is usually worth it when you want a premium natural softwood deck with warm color, natural decay resistance, and a higher-end appearance than pressure-treated lumber. It may not be the best choice if redwood is hard to source in your area, if you want the lowest upfront cost, or if you do not want to stain and seal the deck over time.
Related Deck Cost Guides
References
- North American Deck and Railing Association
- American Wood Council: Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide
- NAHB: Building Codes
- This Old House: Decking
Last Updated: 6/19/26
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