Deck Building 101: How to Build a Deck on a Budget

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Adding a deck to your home doesn’t have to break the bank. With thoughtful design, planning, and maintenance, you can learn how to build a deck on budget that’s affordable now and in the future.

By making smart decisions from the start, you’ll create a functional, attractive deck that stays within your budget without sacrificing quality. Researching ahead of time will help you avoid overspending and keep your project on track. Whether you’re a homeowner or contractor, this guide will show you how to build a deck on budget and manage your costs effectively.

Determine Your Deck Budget

Building a deck on a budget starts with a clear understanding of your financial limits. Begin by determining how much you can allocate to the project from start to finish, whether it’s savings or funds secured through a bank or mortgage lender. Once you’ve established your budget, you can explore deck designs that align with your financial plan.

Online tools like our Deck Cost Calculator make this process simple. Experiment with different deck sizes, materials, and features to see how each choice impacts your budget. Adjust elements like steps, railings, or lighting to find the perfect balance between functionality and cost. By taking the time to evaluate how small design changes affect your expenses, you’ll gain valuable insights to create a deck that fits both your vision and your budget.

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How To Calculate Deck Construction Budget

Calculating a construction budget without labor is an equation with three variables:

1) Cost of Materials

2) Square Footage

3) Quality of Materials.

You can control two of these variables, which will produce the third, but you can’t control all three simultaneously. A deck project can be a substantial investment. Most composite decking materials range from $21 - $30 per square foot (including substructure, decking, hardware, and fasteners).* That means a basic, 320-square-foot cedar deck will cost about $5,250 for materials or about $10,500 if you plan on using composite materials.

If you are experiencing sticker shock right now, you have discovered a design limitation in your deck design. A bigger deck isn’t always the best solution, even with an unlimited budget. An intelligent, aesthetically pleasing design will give you more bang for your buck. It is a good idea to set a cost range that you are prepared to spend before getting too far along in your design.

The cost of decking materials will vary depending on the type and quality of material you choose, where you live and what type of lumberyard you buy from. The price of decking is a commodity, just like gasoline.

Pressure-treated wood is an economic material, ideal for people working within a tight budget, but it doesn't always hold up over time. You can expect to pay between $3 and $6 per square foot for 5/4x6 ACQ-treated decking from a big box store. You should sort through the lumber bins to find the best boards. Home Depot and Lowes usually only stock short lengths of decking less than 12', which will leave your deck with more seams. If you go to a local lumberyard for contractors, you will find higher-grade materials with longer available lengths at a slightly higher price. Routine staining will help protect your deck, but it is not uncommon for pressure-treated decking to split, crack, warp and turn gray in a few years.

The standard method to calculate the cost of a deck is to work out a cost per square foot specific to your design requirements. Knowing how much individual items cost per square foot allows you to make simple changes to quickly see the effect on the final cost. This might be as simple as changing the total square footage of the deck or selecting a different decking material.

Here is an example of various deck sizes using composite deck boards ranging from $21-$30 per ft to create a completed deck.

(Range includes substructure, decking, hardware, and fasteners. labor not included).*

To create a more accurate budget for your project, start by calculating the cost per square foot. This includes breaking down expenses for items like foundations, framing, fasteners, and decking boards. Keep in mind, these costs can vary based on factors like location, material availability, season, and labor. Understanding these variables will help you plan more effectively.

During the budgeting phase, focus on estimating costs rather than pinpointing an exact total. Contractors typically calculate precise costs per square foot based on their expertise and resources. For most projects, knowing the average costs of different decking materials per square foot is a great starting point.

If you’re planning to tackle the project yourself, researching these costs and comparing options is a smart way to save money. Shopping around for materials helps you stay within budget, but also ensures you find the best value. With the right preparation, you can create a deck you’ll be proud of—without overspending.

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Comparing Different Decking Materials To Fit Your Budget

Cedar and redwood decking prices range from about $7 to $15 per square foot. Redwood is commonly available on the West Coast, but is scarce in the eastern United States.

With hundreds of options to choose from, there is a wide range of prices for vinyl, composite, and aluminum decking. Numerous attractive colors and textures can be combined in interesting ways, such as borders and inlays. Low-maintenance decking options, such as Trex, come with a minimum 25-year warranty, ensuring long-lasting quality and peace of mind.

Exotic hardwood decking materials, such as ipe, tigerwood, and Brazilian redwood, are usually the most expensive options. You can expect to pay between $7 to $10 per linear foot. Exotic hardwoods are only available at higher-end lumberyards and are usually a special-order item. Exotic hardwoods usually require side-mounted hidden fastener clips, which will add to the total cost.

One of the easiest places to save money on your deck project is to select a more affordable decking material. With prices ranging from just a few dollars to twenty dollars and above, there are lots of options to keep your deck on budget and not overspend.

Here are a few examples of popular decking board materials:

Additional Costs To Consider

Each decking project is different, so there will be potential additional costs that will vary from project to project. Working from an average cost per square foot isn't going to include project and location-specific expenses. When we budget modern decks, additional items need to be added to get a true understanding of the final cost.

Here are some additional items to consider when budgeting your decking project:

• Deck drawing costs
• Permitting fees
• Inspection fees
• Site surveys and reports
• Site preparation
• Material waste
• Project contingency allowance
• Material transport 
• Tools & equipment
• Seasonal adjustment on material and labor cost

Additional labor & material costs for complex deck design include:

• Raised decks
• Railing and gates
• Lighting
• Steps and stairs
• Planters
• Under deck storage
• Covered decking
• Curved & rounded decking
• Complex decking patterns

While the deck you have in mind may have top-of-the-line accessories and finishes, your budget might not have the elasticity to stretch to high-end products. Focus on building a strong, sound structure with the best materials you can afford.

Budgeting a Deck After Installation

One thing that tends to be overlooked is the cost of maintaining a deck after the installation is complete. The ongoing costs, time, and effort needed to maintain your deck for the years to come plays a vital role in budgeting the right decking material. Materials such as wood require annual sanding, staining, and repair, which not only takes up a lot of time and effort, but is also an expensive task. You can expect to pay anywhere between $400 annually to maintain a typical wood deck, compared to a composite deck of the same size that would likely cost less than $10 to clean. 

When putting your budget together, it’s wise to calculate the cost over several years to ensure your deck is still affordable in the long term. You will likely find that composite decking may be more expensive initially, but it soon becomes the more cost-effective long-term option. This is where opting for higher-quality materials, such as Trex composite with its 25-50 year warranty, is the smarter decision in the long run, even if it means a smaller deck.

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Maximizing Value Within Your Budget

Setting your sights on an affordable deck idea doesn't mean you have to opt for a cheap and unattractive design and layout. All it means is you have to be clever with your inexpensive deck ideas and approach. Here are a few tips to keep your deck affordable.

Phasing Your Project

Deciding to tackle your project in phases means you can split the costs over time. Using this approach allows you to improve the specification and design of your deck, knowing that further down the line you can add an extension once funds become available.

DIY your Deck

Save money on your deck build by going the DIY route, as labor typically accounts for about two-thirds of the total cost. With Trex Academy, you can learn the skills needed to build your own deck, making the process even easier and more accessible. Keep in mind that some of your savings may go toward purchasing tools or handling material deliveries, but by using Trex Academy to guide your project, you’ll still achieve significant savings by the end.

Keep your Deck Low

Deck height is also another consideration. If you can keep your deck low to the surrounding ground, you can potentially do away with the need for steps, stairs, and even handrails. Each of these items can be expensive extras that can push your project over budget.

Save On Waste

To maximize your budget, design your deck with as little waste as possible. After all, you will have to pay for all the waste material that ends up in the trash. You can do this by ensuring you accurately plan and measure, choosing standard-sized materials, re-purposing off-cuts, and optimizing your layout.

Ready to browse materials? Find a decking retailer here for all your decking needs.