Introduction
Knowing how many boards you need is only half the budget question — the other half is what those boards cost. Decking prices vary widely by material, region, and market conditions: pressure-treated lumber might run a few dollars per linear foot while capped composite can cost several times that. This guide gives typical US planning ranges (not quotes) for boards, fasteners, and labor, so you can turn your board count into a realistic budget before you order.
If you don’t have your board count yet, start with the Decking Board Calculator — enter your deck dimensions, board width, gap, and waste allowance, and it returns boards needed and total linear footage. Then come back here to price it.
Board Costs by Material
Decking is priced per linear foot (or per linear meter outside the US). These are illustrative US retail ranges for planning — your local lumberyard may sit higher or lower, and prices move with lumber markets. The material guide explains what you get for each tier.
| Material | Typical $/linear ft (illustrative) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine 5/4×6 | $2–$4 | Most common, budget choice; needs staining/sealing |
| Cedar 5/4×6 | $3.50–$6 | Naturally rot-resistant; weathers to gray |
| Redwood 5/4×6 | $4–$7 | Regional availability (strongest in the western US) |
| Composite (capped) 5.5 in | $5–$10 | Low maintenance; color/finish drive price |
| PVC decking | $7–$12 | Premium price; best moisture resistance |
Regional caveats: cedar runs cheaper near western mills and pricier in the Southeast; PT lumber tracks the commodity lumber market and can swing 20–30% year to year; composite pricing is more stable nationally but varies by brand tier. Always price with two local suppliers — online national averages can be a full price tier off from your market.
Fasteners and Accessories
Fasteners are the forgotten line item — they can add 10–20% to the decking material cost, and the choice interacts with your material. See pro tips for selection advice.
| Fastener type | Typical cost (illustrative) | When used |
|---|---|---|
| Coated deck screws (face-screwed) | $60–$120 per 1,000 | PT, cedar, redwood — standard choice |
| Stainless screws | $150–$300 per 1,000 | Cedar/redwood near salt water; any deck where corrosion matters |
| Hidden clip systems | $0.50–$1.00 per clip | Grooved composite/PVC — clean look, brand-specific |
| Plug systems (screw + plug) | $0.25–$0.50 per fastener | Composite/PVC for a fastener-free surface on non-grooved boards |
Rule of thumb: 2 screws per joist crossing. For a 16 × 12 ft deck with joists at 16 in on center, that’s 26 rows × 13 joists × 2 = 676 screws — plan on a 1,000-count box plus a margin. Hidden clips run roughly one clip per joist per board gap: budget 400–500 clips for the same deck, and check whether your composite brand requires its own proprietary clip.
Labor: DIY vs Hired
Whether you build it yourself or hire out changes the budget more than any material choice. The DIY vs pro guide covers the decision in depth; here are the numbers.
| Scope | Typical range (illustrative, US) |
|---|---|
| Deck resurface labor only (boards + fasteners) | $8–$15 per ft² |
| Full new deck, PT lumber, installed | $25–$40 per ft² |
| Full new deck, composite, installed | $45–$70 per ft² |
| Permits + inspections | $150–$500 (varies widely by jurisdiction) |
DIY saves the labor line but adds tool costs (a miter saw, impact driver, and chalk line cover most resurfacing jobs — often $200–$400 if bought new) and your weekends. Hired work should always be compared across at least three written quotes.
Worked Budget: The Canonical 16 × 12 Deck
Take our reference deck — 16 ft × 12 ft (192 ft² / 17.84 m²), 29 boards of 16 ft = 464 linear ft — and price the boards three ways. (Board-only; fasteners and labor are extra.)
| Material | Boards (464 lin ft) | Fasteners (illustrative) | Board + fastener budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated 5/4×6 | $930–$1,860 | $70–$140 (screws) | ~$1,000–$2,000 |
| Cedar 5/4×6 | $1,620–$2,780 | $70–$140 (screws) | ~$1,700–$2,900 |
| Capped composite | $2,320–$4,640 | $200–$400 (clips) | ~$2,500–$5,000 |
Add labor if hiring: at $8–$15/ft² for resurfacing labor on 192 ft², that’s $1,540–$2,880 on top. A full new PT deck installed might land around $4,800–$7,700 total; composite $8,600–$13,400. These are planning bands, not bids — framing condition, stairs, railings, and local labor markets move real quotes substantially.
What Moves the Number
- Stairs and railings can add 30–60% to a decking-only estimate — price them as separate line items.
- Diagonal or picture-frame layouts raise waste (10–15%+) and labor time versus boards running straight.
- Board length choice matters: longer boards cost more per linear foot but eliminate butt joints and the waste around them. Check the estimating guide before defaulting to the longest stock.
- Delivery fees ($50–$150 typical) and cull rates at big-box stores versus lumberyards shift the effective per-board price.
- Finish for wood decks: stain/sealer at $30–$60 per gallon, with a 192 ft² deck needing roughly 2–3 gallons for two coats — budget $60–$180 plus applicators.
Related Guides
- Formula Explained — the rows × boards-per-row math behind your count.
- Estimating Guide — measuring, coverage tables, and waste bands.
- Decking Board Calculator FAQ — quick answers to costing questions.
- Pro Tips — selection and fastening advice that protects the budget.
- Common Mistakes — errors that inflate cost or force reorders.
- Case Study — a fully worked illustrative deck budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to redeck a 16×12 deck?
Boards plus fasteners for a 16 × 12 ft deck (29 sixteen-foot boards, 464 linear ft) typically run ~$1,000–$2,000 for pressure-treated, ~$1,700–$2,900 for cedar, or ~$2,500–$5,000 for composite — illustrative US ranges, before labor. Add $1,540–$2,880 for resurfacing labor if hiring.
Is composite decking worth the extra cost?
Composite costs roughly 2–3× pressure-treated up front but needs no staining and resists rot and insects. Whether that pays off depends on how long you keep the deck and what your time is worth — compare 15-year total cost, not just board price.
How many screws do I need per deck board?
Two per joist crossing. For joists at 16 in on center on a 16-ft run, that’s 26 screws per board — about 700 screws for the reference deck, so buy a 1,000-count box.
Why do lumber prices vary so much by region?
Transport distance from mills, local species availability, and regional demand all move prices. Pressure-treated lumber tracks commodity markets and can swing substantially; composite pricing is more stable nationally.
Get Your Number
Cost estimating follows the same discipline as board estimating: get the count right first, then multiply by local prices with honest ranges. Run your dimensions through the Decking Board Calculator, price the linear footage at two local suppliers, and add fasteners, finish, and labor before you commit to a material. The cheapest board is rarely the cheapest deck.
Disclaimer: Calculator results are planning estimates based on the dimensions you enter. Prices shown are illustrative US planning ranges and vary by region, supplier, and market conditions. Verify quantities and pricing with your supplier and consult a licensed professional or your local building authority for structural or code-related decisions.
