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The Daily Insight

How much should a 20×20 deck cost

Author

Andrew White

Published Feb 17, 2026

Deck SizeSquare FeetAverage Cost12x20240$3,600 – $8,40014×20280$4,200 – $9,80016×16256$3,840 – $8,96020×20400$6,000 – $14,000

How much does a decent deck cost?

The average price range of building a new deck in the United States can be anywhere between $4,000 and $11,000. Including materials and labor, a standard deck will cost roughly $30-$60 per square foot. That means, for a standard 14 x 20 foot deck, you can expect to pay around $6,000.

How do you price a deck?

Labor costs will total just about two-thirds of the total project cost. With contractors charging, on average, about $35 per square foot. For an average deck size between 200 and 500 square feet, you can expect to pay out between $7,000 and $17,000 just for installation and labor.

How much does it cost to hire someone to build a deck?

Cost of Hiring a Contractor The average price to build a deck with pressure-treated pine is about $30 to $35 per square foot. That price includes the wood planks, supporting framework, railings and all labor costs. Cedar, redwood or wood composites are more expensive, ranging from $35 to $60 per square foot installed.

How much does a 400 sq ft deck cost?

Deck SizeSquare FeetAverage Cost12x20240$3,600 – $8,40014×20280$4,200 – $9,80016×16256$3,840 – $8,96020×20400$6,000 – $14,000

What is the cheapest way to build a deck?

Choose wood, but carefully: Untreated wood decks are generally the cheapest to install, but don’t forget long-term costs. Wood decks require yearly maintenance and deteriorate quickly if they don’t get it.

What is a good size deck?

Size of Your Home Most builders suggest that your deck should be no larger than 20 percent of the house’s* square footage. This is so that the deck does not overwhelm a home visually. This, of course, is up to you. If you feel you need a larger deck that takes up more of your yard space, feel free!

Does a deck add value to a home?

Here’s a good one: many homeowners recoup a significant amount of the money they invest in their deck because the deck adds to the resale value of their home. … In fact, a survey from Home Remodeling magazine found that composite decks return about 74% of their original cost and wood decks return about 87%, on average.

How many hours does it take to build a deck?

You can save most of that cost by putting in some serious time and sweat equity. A 12 x 24-foot one typically requires two people to complete and will take anywhere from one to three weeks depending on experience and skill level. A professional team can usually have the project done in a week or less.

How much does a 20x20 paver patio cost?

A 20×20 brick paver patio costs $3,800 to $6,800. The average cost of pavers and base materials is $4 to $6 per square foot, while labor runs $6 to $11 per square foot. Get free estimates from masonry contractors near you or view our cost guide below.

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How much is a 500 sq ft deck?

Deck SizeAverage PricePrice Range (Low to High)Less than 200 sq.ft.$4,836$2,888 – $6,870Between 200 – 500 sq.ft.$8,142$5,169 – $11,139More than 500 sq.ft.$14,504$8,532 – $20,605

How much does labor cost to build a deck?

Labor Cost to Build a Deck A deck can significantly increase the value of your home. However, labor is a significant aspect of the total cost. The cost of labor to build a deck ranges from $8 to $22 per square foot.

Is it cheaper to build your own deck?

For basic deck designs using the least expensive lumber, you can expect to pay from about $8 to $10 per square foot (depending on the material) of deck area if you do the work yourself or pay about $30 per square foot if the material is professionally installed.

Will a deck increase my taxes?

How much will a deck affect taxes and resale value? According to IRS guidelines, building a deck is a capital improvement and may increase local property taxes. Taxes vary from city to city, so check with the local tax assessor before beginning construction or repair.

Is a deck worth the investment?

A deck is an overall solid investment that increases the value of your home, even in a down housing market. You can expect to recoup at least 70-80% of your building expenses when you go to sell your home.

What is the average deck size?

The average deck size is between 300 and 400 square feet. Generally, a deck should be wider than it is deep, with the longer dimension running along the house. With large decks, consider making them multi-level designs. This will help break up the look and designate areas for certain activities.

How can I save money on my deck?

  1. Type of Deck. One of the first items of business before building a deck is to ask yourself what it will be used for. …
  2. Deck Design. …
  3. Materials. …
  4. Watch the Flyers. …
  5. Contractor Deals. …
  6. Buy Accessories in Bulk. …
  7. Deck Blocks Instead of Pouring Concrete. …
  8. Seal Your Deck.

How much wood is needed for a 12x12 deck?

A 12 -by-12-foot deck will need 144 lineal feet of decking. The amount of individual boards will depend upon the size and type of decking your choose and the amount of space you plan to leave between decking boards.

How many years does decking last?

Hardwood decking has known to last over 40 years, although pressure treated softwood can last just as long if it’s treated well. Left untreated, softwood decking can last between 10 to 15 years, so over time hardwood can be a more economical material.

What you need to build a deck?

  • The foundation and 4 x 4 posts.
  • 2 x 10 beams.
  • 2 x 4 diagonal bracing.
  • 2 x 8 framing and joists.
  • 5/4-inch decking.
  • Stairs.
  • Railings.

Can you DIY a deck?

Building your own deck will cost roughly half as much as if you hire a contractor. As with any DIY project, you’re only paying for materials, not labor. But the cost of materials varies widely based on the deck materials you choose and the shape and size of your deck.

How long does it take to install a Trex deck?

Trex Decking Installation Cost A 24′ x 12′ (288 sqft) deck will take an average of 34.5 hours to build with a labor cost of around $2,165 for a deck to be installed on an existing substructure.

Are Trex decks worth it?

Composite decking is worth the money. It costs more upfront, but thanks to minimal maintenance costs and long life, the annual cost for the life of the fence is significantly cheaper for composite materials. If what you have in mind are the Trex decks of 15 years ago, you’d be surprised to see how far they’ve come.

How much does a 16x20 deck cost?

16×20 Deck Cost in total size are the most popular deck size in the U.S. They have a total cost range from $4,480 to $14,080, depending on the deck material and style.

How much does Trex cost?

Trex Decking Cost Trex decking costs $1,600 to $9,600, averaging about $4,800. That’s $5 to $12 per square foot for just decking boards and $5 to $15 per square foot for installation.

Is it cheaper to lay concrete or pavers?

As far as installation costs and concrete costs go, poured concrete is technically the most affordable per square foot. However, even though the upfront cost of pavers is higher, concrete pavers offer greater value and durability than poured concrete and stamped concrete.

What is cheaper wood deck or stone patio?

Cost. Depending on the material you choose, a patio is a more affordable option than a wood deck. Concrete pavers have an average cost of $4 to $12 per square foot (before installation cost), while natural stone can go up to $30 per square foot.

How much does it cost to build a 12x12 patio?

7×7$250 – $2,50010×10$500 – $5,00012×12$750 – $7,20016×18$1,450 – $14,50020×20$2,000 – $20,000

How much does a 10x20 deck cost?

DimensionsTotal Square FeetAverage Price Range10x20200$8,000 – $12,00012×20240$9,600 – $14,40016×16256$10,240 – $15,36014×20280$11,200 – $16,800

How much does it cost to build a 12x12 floating deck?

A 12 x12 deck can range in cost from $2 200 to $13 000, but the average will be $6 000. Costing $40 a square foot but can be as little as $15 or as high as $85, depending on the deck’s features. A pressure treated deck is the most economical, with composite being the more expansive option.

Is it hard to build a deck?

Deck construction is not as hard as you might think, and if you follow some basic guidelines it can be a great DIY project. Decks are built to add living space to a home and every one of them should be built nice and level.