howtobuilddecking.com
http://howtobuilddecking.com/how-much-does-it-cost-for-a-deck#.VAng7mRdWV4
How Much Does It Cost For A Deck If you are one of the increasing number of home owners who want to add a deck to their homes to maximize land use, your first concern will be for the costs of building the attached structure. Let’s take a look at the materials and labor cost for doing so. Keep in mind, however, that the final cost will depend on several factors including the size of the deck, the cost of the materials, and the number of hours of work on the structure. The following cost estimates for materials are applicable to a medium-sized flat 20 x 20 foot deck. You can go lower or higher depending on the smaller or larger size of your planned deck. • An affordable pressure-treated wood like southern yellow pine costs $ 10 – $ 15 / sq.ft. ( $ 4,000 – $ 6,400 ) while a mid-range wood like redwood or cedar costs $ 18 – 22 / sq. ft. ( $ 7,200 – $ 8,800) and high-end tropical hardwoods cost $ 22 – $ 24 / sq. ft. ( $ 8,800 – $ 9,600 ). • So-called indestructible plastic-wood composites cost approximately $ 20 / sq. ft. ( $8,000 ). • The cost of modest railings, stairs, overhead arbors and built-in benches with planters starts at $ 3,000 although the costs can skyrocket to $ 6,000 or more for complex designs. The above mentioned estimates are applicable to decks designed in relatively simple linear patterns and supported by concrete footings, 4 x 4 posts and pressure -treated wood for the joists. Again, add more dollars for complicated designs such as above ground decks for pools. The materials cost will then range from $ 7,000 to $ 15,000 for a 20 x 20 foot deck. The figure may or may not include small materials like nails, paint and varnish, among others, as well as the cost for rental or purchase of the power tools. The labor cost must also be added to the materials cost when you want to hire a carpenter to construct the deck. Labor can run anywhere from $ 500 to $ 100 depending on factors like complexity of design and amount of work necessary. If you are building the deck as a DIY project, then you can save the $ 500. All in all, you can expect to spend $ 8,000 at least for your modest deck.