Wood Deck Installation Cost in 2026
Wood deck installation cost in 2026 runs $25–$50 per square foot installed for the common wood species, depending on which wood you choose. Pressure-treated pine is the budget option at $25–$40 per sq ft, cedar runs $35–$50, and redwood runs $35–$55 at the premium end. Premium hardwood ipe — a wood, but priced in a different league — runs $60–$80 per sq ft installed. Those figures cover the complete professionally built deck: framing, boards, footings, railings, stairs, fasteners, permits, and labor.
Quick-answer table (typical 2026 wood deck installation cost, professionally installed):
| Wood species | Per sq ft (installed) | 200 sq ft deck | 400 sq ft (20×20) deck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $25–$40 | $5,000–$8,000 | $10,000–$16,000 |
| Cedar | $35–$50 | $7,000–$10,000 | $14,000–$20,000 |
| Redwood | $35–$55 | $7,000–$11,000 | $14,000–$22,000 |
| Ipe (premium hardwood) | $60–$80 | $12,000–$16,000 | $24,000–$32,000 |
Wood remains the most popular decking choice in the US for a simple reason: nothing else looks, feels, or smells like real lumber underfoot, and the entry price is the lowest of any decking material. The catch is maintenance — wood decks need staining and sealing every 1–2 years, and skipping it shortens the deck’s life. This guide compares species, breaks down the installed price, and totals up the real long-term cost including upkeep. For the all-materials picture including composite and PVC, see our guide to deck installation cost per square foot.
Wood Deck Installation Cost by Species
| Species | Material only / sq ft | Labor / sq ft | Installed total / sq ft | Lifespan | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $8–$12 | $8–$15 | $25–$40 | 10–15 years | Stain/seal every 1–2 years |
| Cedar | $12–$20 | $8–$15 | $35–$50 | 15–20 years | Seal every 1–2 years |
| Redwood | $14–$22 | $8–$15 | $35–$55 | 15–25 years | Seal every 1–2 years |
| Ipe | $24–$40 | $12–$20 | $60–$80 | 40–75 years | Oil yearly (or let it gray) |
Materials-plus-labor alone does not add up to the installed total: footings, railings, stairs, fasteners, permits, and contractor overhead make up the difference. That is why a boards-only price at the lumberyard always looks far cheaper than a real quote.
Pressure-treated pine at $25–$40 per sq ft is the budget benchmark and the most common wood deck in America. The lumber is infused with preservatives that resist rot and insects, it is available everywhere, and every deck crew knows how to work with it. The trade-off is maintenance and looks: untreated pressure-treated boards check, warp, and gray within a few seasons unless they are stained and sealed on schedule.
Cedar at $35–$50 per sq ft brings natural rot and insect resistance from its own oils, a warm reddish-brown color, and a lighter, more stable board that resists warping better than pressure-treated pine. Cedar is a natural fit for homeowners who want a wood look with less chemical treatment.
Redwood at $35–$55 per sq ft is the premium softwood: rich color, natural decay resistance, and a reputation for aging gracefully. The top end of the range reflects heartwood grades — the darker, denser heartwood costs more than sapwood but lasts longer and holds its color better. If you are quoted redwood near cedar pricing, confirm whether you are getting heartwood or sapwood.
Ipe at $60–$80 per sq ft is the outlier: a dense Brazilian hardwood that is naturally rot-, insect-, and fire-resistant and lasts 40–75 years. Its installed price reflects specialist labor — every hole must be pre-drilled, and only stainless fasteners will do — plus premium board prices. For most homeowners, ipe is a luxury choice; for a forever deck, it is the one wood that can outlive composite.
For the labor side of these totals in detail, see our guide to labor cost to build a deck per square foot. For worked totals at common sizes, see how much a 20×20 deck costs and how much it costs to install a 12×12 deck.
What’s Included in a Wood Deck Price
A legitimate wood deck quote should cover the complete structure. Here is where a typical $5,000–$8,000 budget for a 200-square-foot pressure-treated deck goes:
| Component | Typical cost (200 sq ft PT deck) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Decking boards | $1,600–$2,400 | See species table above |
| Framing lumber (joists, beams, posts) | $800–$1,600 | Pressure-treated; steel framing costs more |
| Footings / concrete piers | $400–$1,000 | Deeper footings in cold climates (frost line) |
| Railings | $600–$2,000 | Wood $30–$50/linear ft; metal $50–$100+ |
| Stairs (one run) | $250–$1,000 | More for switchbacks or wide steps |
| Fasteners, hardware, flashing | $200–$500 | Hidden fasteners add cost on premium species |
| Labor | $1,600–$3,000 | $8–$15 per sq ft for a straightforward build |
| Permits and inspection | $150–$500 | Varies by municipality |
If a quote lands far below these ranges — say $15 per sq ft installed — something is missing. Common omissions: railings, stairs, permits, old-deck removal, and cleanup. Always ask for an itemized quote and confirm the scope in writing before comparing per-foot rates.
Call 811 before anyone digs. The national Call Before You Dig service marks underground utilities for free — it is required by law in most states, and your contractor should schedule it before setting footings.
Wood Deck Maintenance Costs
Maintenance is where wood decks separate from composite — and where the cheapest wood deck can quietly become the most expensive deck over its life. Budget for staining and sealing every 1–2 years, plus occasional board replacement.
| Maintenance task | Frequency | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Clean + stain/seal (DIY) | Every 1–2 years | $0.50–$1 per sq ft (materials only) |
| Clean + stain/seal (hired out) | Every 1–2 years | $1–$2 per sq ft per treatment |
| Deep clean / brightener | Every 2–3 years | $0.30–$0.60 per sq ft |
| Board replacement | As needed | $200–$600 per repair visit |
| 10-year maintenance total (200 sq ft, hired out) | 5–6 treatments | $1,000–$2,400 |
On a 200-square-foot pressure-treated deck, hired-out staining at $1–$2 per sq ft adds $200–$400 per treatment, or $1,000–$2,400 over a decade. Cedar and redwood need the same schedule, though their natural oils buy a little forgiveness if a treatment slips by a season. Ipe is the exception: you can oil it yearly to keep its brown color, or let it weather to a silver-gray with no structural penalty — the wood itself does not need the coating to survive.
Factor maintenance into the species decision. A pressure-treated deck at $5,000–$8,000 installed plus $1,000–$2,400 in decade-one maintenance is still cheaper than cedar at $7,000–$10,000 plus similar upkeep — but a homeowner who will never stain a deck is better off paying more upfront for composite, which needs only soap-and-water cleaning. Compare capped-composite options and warranties at Trex before ruling composite out. If you are weighing the big-box route for any of these species, see our Home Depot deck installation cost guide for how quote-based pricing compares.
Wood vs. Composite: Which Costs Less Long-Term?
| Factor | Pressure-treated wood | Cedar / redwood | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installed (200 sq ft) | $5,000–$8,000 | $7,000–$11,000 | $8,000–$12,000 |
| 10-year maintenance | $1,000–$2,400 | $1,000–$2,400 | $200–$500 (cleaning only) |
| 10-year all-in | $6,000–$10,400 | $8,000–$13,400 | $8,200–$12,500 |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years | 15–25 years | 25–30+ years |
| Splinters / upkeep | Yes, regular | Some | No |
| Best for | Tight budgets, DIYers | Natural look, mid-range budgets | Low maintenance, long horizon |
Over a 10-year window, pressure-treated wood still wins on total cost — but the gap narrows to almost nothing against composite once maintenance is counted, and composite pulls ahead in years 10–25 when the wood deck needs major repair or replacement. Cedar and redwood sit in the middle: a genuinely better wood experience than pressure-treated, at a mid-range price, with the same maintenance schedule.
Wood Deck Cost: DIY vs Hiring a Pro
| Factor | DIY (materials only) | Professional (installed) |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | $12–$20 per sq ft | $25–$40 per sq ft |
| Cedar | $18–$28 per sq ft | $35–$50 per sq ft |
| Redwood | $20–$32 per sq ft | $35–$55 per sq ft |
| Labor saved | Your time (1.5–2× pro crew hours) | — |
| Permits / inspection | You handle it | Usually handled for you |
| Risk | Footing, ledger, and joist mistakes are structural | Licensed, insured, warranty-backed |
| Best for | Ground-level PT decks, experienced DIYers | Elevated decks, cedar/redwood/ipe, tight timelines |
DIY saves the labor portion — roughly $8–$15 per sq ft — plus some overhead. On a 200-square-foot pressure-treated deck, DIY typically runs $2,400–$4,000 in materials versus $5,000–$8,000 installed. The savings are real, but the ledger board connection to the house and the footing depth have to meet local code — get the plans and permit approved first and have the framing inspected before you lay boards.
Cost Drivers That Push Wood Deck Prices Up
| Driver | Effect on installed price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deck height | +20–60% | Second-story decks need taller posts, bigger footings, longer stairs |
| Shape and levels | +15–40% | Multi-level, curved, or angled designs add labor and waste |
| Railings | +$600–$4,000+ | Metal, cable, or glass railings cost far more than wood |
| Stairs | +$250–$2,000 each | Each extra run adds structure and railing |
| Heartwood redwood grade | +$2–$5 per sq ft | Denser, longer-lived boards cost more than sapwood |
| Site conditions | +$500–$3,000 | Slope, rock, poor drainage, tight access |
| Old deck removal | +$400–$1,200 | Haul-away and disposal |
| Local labor market | ±25% | Metro and coastal markets run higher |
Two effects surprise homeowners most. First, small decks cost more per square foot than large ones: a 12×12 deck carries the same permit, mobilization, and stair costs as a much bigger deck, spread over 144 square feet. Second, height is expensive: a second-story deck can cost 20–60% more per square foot than the same deck at ground level.
Money-Saving Tips
- Choose pressure-treated for the structure. Even on a cedar deck, the framing underneath is almost always pressure-treated — you only pay the premium where it shows.
- Keep the shape simple. A plain rectangle costs less per square foot than an L-shape or multi-level design — fewer cuts, less waste, faster labor.
- Stain on schedule. A $200–$400 staining job every two years prevents the $2,000+ premature board replacement that comes from neglect.
- Compare per-foot quotes on equal scope. Two quotes at $35 and $45 per sq ft are not comparable if one includes railings and stairs and the other does not — demand itemization.
- Build in the off-season. Late fall and winter bookings run 10–15% lower than spring in most markets.
- Do the demo yourself. Tearing out an old deck saves roughly $400–$1,200 in removal and disposal.
- Order 10% extra material. Waste from cuts runs about 10%; a mid-project lumber run costs time and delivery fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a wood deck cost per square foot?
Wood deck installation costs $25–$50 per square foot installed in 2026: pressure-treated $25–$40, cedar $35–$50, redwood $35–$55. Premium hardwood ipe runs $60–$80 per sq ft. A typical 200-square-foot wood deck therefore runs $5,000–$11,000 depending on species.
What is the cheapest wood for a deck?
Pressure-treated pine is the cheapest wood decking at $25–$40 per sq ft installed ($12–$20 per sq ft DIY materials-only). It is also the highest-maintenance option — budget $1–$2 per sq ft per staining treatment every 1–2 years to keep it sound.
How long does a wood deck last?
Pressure-treated decks last 10–15 years with regular maintenance; cedar 15–20 years; redwood 15–25 years; ipe 40–75 years. Skipping staining and sealing shortens every wood deck’s life — rot starts where water sits on unsealed end grain and joints.
Is cedar worth the extra cost over pressure-treated wood?
If you value the natural look, lower chemical treatment, and better warp resistance, yes — cedar at $35–$50 per sq ft costs roughly $2,000 more than pressure-treated on a 200-square-foot deck and lasts about 5 years longer. If budget is the priority and you will stain on schedule, pressure-treated delivers the same deck for less.
How much does it cost to maintain a wood deck?
Hired-out staining and sealing costs $1–$2 per sq ft per treatment every 1–2 years — $200–$400 per treatment on a 200-square-foot deck, or $1,000–$2,400 over a decade. DIY staining cuts that to $0.50–$1 per sq ft in materials. Composite decking avoids this cost entirely, needing only soap-and-water cleaning.
The Bottom Line
Wood deck installation costs $25–$50 per square foot installed in 2026 — pressure-treated at $25–$40 for budget builds, cedar at $35–$50 for a natural upgrade, and redwood at $35–$55 for the premium softwood. Add $1–$2 per sq ft per staining treatment to the true cost, and pick the species you will actually maintain: the best wood deck is the one that gets stained on schedule. Get three written, itemized quotes and compare all-in totals — not the headline per-foot number.
Prices are typical 2026 US ranges gathered from contractor pricing data, manufacturer list prices, and industry sources; your actual cost depends on wood species and grade, deck height and shape, railings, stairs, site conditions, old-deck removal, permits, and regional labor rates. Always get at least three written, itemized quotes from licensed, insured contractors before committing.
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