Wood 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.
Wood decking cost ranges from $18.00 to $45.00 per sq. ft. installed, with most 320 sq. ft. wood decking projects costing about $5,760 to $14,400.
This estimate is for natural wood deck boards and wood deck installation, including pressure-treated decking, cedar decking, redwood decking, hardwood decking, fasteners, basic framing tie-in, and local labor. It is not for composite decking, PVC decking, aluminum decking, pool decks, deck lighting, or major structural rebuilding.
Enter your ZIP code and deck size below to estimate local material, labor, and installed cost.
Cost Calculator
Wood Decking Cost Calculator
Wood decking cost depends on deck size, wood species, pressure-treated wood, cedar, redwood, hardwood boards, board grade, framing condition, joist spacing, railing, stairs, fasteners, staining, sealing, rot resistance, maintenance needs, demolition, permits, and local labor rates.
Your estimated cost
For 320 sq. ft.
$5,760 – $14,400
About $18 – $45 per sq. ft.
Use your estimate as a starting point, then compare real prices from local contractors.
| Cost item | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Material | $1,920 | $5,760 |
| Labor | $3,840 | $8,640 |
| Estimated installed cost | $5,760 | $14,400 |
| Installed cost per sq. ft. | $18 | $45 |
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.
Wood Decking Cost vs Value
Wood Decking may recover about 50%–70% of its cost.
Bottom line: Wood decking can add usable outdoor living space, but value depends on deck size, board species, condition of the framing, railing and stair scope, and ongoing staining or sealing needs.
Worth it: Homeowners comparing natural wood deck boards, pressure-treated decking, cedar, redwood, hardwood, and premium wood decking options.
Skip it: Projects where 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 Wood Decking
Measure the deck surface in square feet. Multiply deck length by deck width, then add extra square footage for landings, stairs, picture-frame borders, or waste. A 16 ft. by 20 ft. deck is 320 sq. ft.
Wood decking pricing changes when the quote includes new framing, railing, stairs, demolition, joist repair, hidden fasteners, staining, sealing, permits, or second-story access.
Wood Decking Cost Factors
Contractor Reality Check
Wood decking is not one price category. Pressure-treated decking sits near the low end, cedar and redwood usually land in the middle, and hardwood decking can push the high end. Ask whether the quote is for deck boards only, resurfacing existing framing, or building a full deck structure.
What to Confirm Before You Sign
- Total deck size in square feet
- Wood species and board grade
- Deck board thickness, width, and profile
- Whether existing framing is reused or replaced
- Joist spacing and blocking requirements
- Fastener type, hidden clips, screws, or face fastening
- Railing, stairs, skirting, demolition, and disposal scope
- Staining, sealing, and maintenance schedule
Common Wood 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 | $1.50 – $5.00 per sq. ft. |
Wood Decking Cost by Type
| Wood Decking Type | Installed Cost per Sq. Ft. | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood decking | $18.00 – $30.00 | Budget wood decks and common backyard deck builds |
| Cedar decking | $25.00 – $38.00 | Natural appearance, lighter weight boards, and mid-range wood decks |
| Redwood decking | $30.00 – $45.00 | Premium softwood decks where redwood is available |
| Hardwood decking | $35.00 – $45.00+ | Dense premium boards such as ipe, mahogany, teak, and tigerwood |
Cost by Wood Deck Size
| Deck Size | Estimated Installed Cost |
|---|---|
| 200 sq. ft. | $3,600 – $9,000 |
| 320 sq. ft. | $5,760 – $14,400 |
| 400 sq. ft. | $7,200 – $18,000 |
| 500 sq. ft. | $9,000 – $22,500 |
Is Wood Decking Worth It?
Wood decking is usually worth it when you want a natural deck surface, a lower starting cost than many synthetic boards, and a material that can be stained or refinished. It may not be the best choice if you want low maintenance, no sealing, strong moisture resistance, or a long-term alternative to staining and board replacement.
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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