Building a Deck - Approximate Cost?

[RobynScott]

Anybody have any idea of approximate costs to build a 10 x 10 (approx) wood deck. We really want to do this but the quote we got yesterday is about 2x the amount of a quote we got last year from the same person!

We decided not to spend the $$ last year since we were taking a big vacation. We wanted to do it this year thinking we had an idea of the cost but now I am just really surprised by the amount.

We currently have a deck attached to our TH (second floor) - but it is really falling apart and not up to code and I really wanted to fix it up this summer before baby got here.

If anyone has a general idea of how much these things usually cost it would help me figure out if we can realistically do it (and if our contractor*) was way off the mark.

*back story - we used this contractor a few years ago for work on our kitchen and he was very reasonably priced and did a good job - part of why we were really surprised by the quote he came back with.

Thanks!

(PS - we are in the Northeast - Philadelphia)

[mindy75]

We just got an estimate of $3042 for a 12x16 deck. We have a full basement so our deck is essentially on a second story with bi-level stairs to the ground. That is our third estimate. The first was close to 7k for a 12x12. The second was around 2k. They will be using pretreated lumber and we'll be staining it ourselves. Also ours is a from-scratch deck. There is currently no deck and not even door for a deck. The door will be made out of a large existing window. That is not included in my quotes here. Anyway, long way of saying there's no demo for them to do here. Maybe that's a factor?

HTH

[RobynScott]

Thanks for the info Mindy! We were quoted over $9K for the job which still sounds really high to me. (our deck sounds similar to yours - we already have the doors)

Thanks!

[suzubeane]

Robyn - check what materials he included on the quote. Pressure Treated wood is a lot less expensive, but not as nice looking as some of the other choices that will withstand the elements. If it's on the rear (and if neighbors have already used Pressure Treated) you might not care. The home centers and lumber yards offer pre-cut stair and deck parts in PT lumber, so they are typically less expensive for both contractors and DIYers to install.

[RobynScott]

Thanks for the info Suzu. I can't tell materials for the first quote - I got another quote using pressure treated wood (which is fine by us - this most likley isn't our forever home anyway) - that came in at just under $7K for the demolition and rebuilding of the deck.

I think it sounds reasonable (of course, that may be because the other quote was higher) - but I have seen this contractor's work on other things and was impressed so I think we will go with him.

Now we just need to decide if we can really afford to put $7k into our deck - I think it's an investment that will pay off though (if nothing less, than in our enjoyment for the next 5-8 years of living in this house)

Thanks for the advice!

[Jodi AKA BostonTeacher]

If you have or plan to have kids then I would avoid the lumber and go with a composite material. We had a few people out to give us quotes and I'm waiting for them to arrive. I'm nervous about the cost though since ours will be a fairly large deck.

[Reebs]

DH and I are in deck planning/building mode so this thread is right up my alley!

We intend to build the deck ourselves. We have an existing deck that was not constructed properly (the posts were put directly in the ground and THEN concrete was put in around it instead of making a concrete footer and then attaching the post to the top of the concrete) so it isn't all that stable and safe.

The main deck is 18x20 and then a smaller deck which is 14x14. We got an estimate just for the decking materials (composite) and the posts, beams, etc (no concrete) of $12K!! We nearly died. We are still looking around.

Does anyone have any gauge of prices for just materials for composite decking. I want to see how "off" this price might be.

TIA! :D