The question every homeowner asks first—“how much does it cost to build a 12x20 deck?”—has more than one answer. Size is fixed at 240 sq ft, yet material selection, labor rates, local codes, and design extras can swing your final invoice by thousands. Below, CountBricks lays out the real numbers and the variables that move them, backed by our AI-powered estimate engine and years of residential construction expertise.
• Pressure-treated pine: entry-level choice, averages $15–$20 per sq ft installed
• Cedar or redwood: mid-grade, $22–$30 per sq ft installed
• Composite decking: low-maintenance, $28–$40 per sq ft installed
• Premium hardwoods (ipe, tigerwood): $35–$55 per sq ft installed
CountBricks Pro Insight: Our AI estimator pulls today’s local lumber pricing every morning, so you see real-time cost swings instead of last month’s averages.
• Standard ground-level deck: 35–45 labor hours
• Elevated or second-story deck: 50–70 labor hours
• Current Dallas-area rate: $45–$60 per hour for licensed carpentry crews
Labor often equals 35–50 % of your total budget. CountBricks adjusts for crew size, experience level, and jobsite accessibility within each AI estimate.
• Typical residential deck permit in North Texas: $150–$300
• Structural engineering review (if required): $250–$600
• Final inspection fees: $75–$150
CountBricks auto-populates municipality fees so you never forget line-items hidden in fine print.
• Railings: $20–$65 per linear foot depending on material
• Lighting packages: $350–$1,200
• Built-in benches or planters: $400–$900 each
• Stair sets: $250–$750 per set
These elements elevate a platform into an outdoor room—our blueprint takeoff engine lets you toggle each option on or off and watch totals update instantly.
Because location matters, the figures below reflect Dallas-area material prices and prevailing wages captured by CountBricks on the day of publication. Regional readers can expect similar spreads by substituting their own zip code in the CountBricks estimator.
• Budget build (pressure-treated, ground level, basic railing): $7,800–$9,600
• Mid-range (cedar, partial wrap railing, single stair): $10,500–$14,400
• Premium (composite, lighting, custom rails, benches): $15,000–$22,000
• Luxury (ipe or exotic hardwood, steel cable railing, multi-tier): $22,000–$30,000+
• Soil type dictates footing depth and concrete volume
• Limited side-yard access raises labor hours for material handling
• Sloped lots add structural posts and bracing
• Angled borders, picture-frame trim, and curved edges add cut time and waste
• Integrated pergolas or privacy screens extend labor
Lumber futures, fuel surcharges, and crew availability fluctuate monthly. CountBricks connects directly to regional suppliers and updates numbers hourly, letting you lock in quotes before prices jump.
Unlike static spreadsheets, CountBricks listens to your site meeting via smartphone, converts spoken scope into a detailed task list, and instantly displays line-by-line costs. No more manual takeoffs—our AI:
• Scans blueprints or sketches and detects joist spacing, stair count, and railing length
• Pulls live material pricing from partnered suppliers
• Applies local labor benchmarks based on zip code and deck height
• Exports a polished proposal branded with your logo in seconds
Learn more at CountBricks.com/services.
1. Voice-record your project brief right from the backyard
2. Upload existing site photos or a rough sketch
3. Choose desired decking material and railing style in the app
4. Review the AI estimate broken into materials, labor, permits, and overhead
5. Adjust options—watch totals update live
6. Click “Generate Quote” to email a homeowner-ready PDF in under a minute
• Opt for hidden fastener systems only on visually prominent surfaces
• Combine pressure-treated framing with composite decking instead of full composite frame packages
• Schedule construction during off-peak months (January–February) when crews offer lower hourly rates
• Use solar post-cap lights to eliminate electrical runs and inspections
Homeowners comfortable with power tools can shave labor costs, but mis-measured footings or code violations can erase savings. CountBricks provides a hybrid path: generate your pro-grade plans and materials list, then decide whether to hire our vetted installers listed at CountBricks.com/portfolio or tackle assembly yourself.
Answer “how much does it cost to build a 12x20 deck” for your unique backyard in minutes. Start a free voice estimate now at CountBricks.com/consultation and turn that blank patio into your new favorite room.
Last spring, a North Dallas homeowner asked, “how much does it cost to build a 12x20 deck with composite boards and cable railing?” Traditional contractors quoted $18,000–$20,000. By running the project through CountBricks, our partner builder delivered the same design for $15,200—an 18 % reduction—without cutting quality.
1. The builder voice-recorded scope details during the site visit—deck size, 10-ft elevation, composite material, and a single stair set.
2. CountBricks AI parsed the audio, recognized structural loads, and created a task checklist in under 30 seconds.
3. Live lumber data revealed a temporary 7 % price dip on pressure-treated 2x10s. The builder locked in the purchase via the integrated supplier portal.
4. By toggling railing options, the homeowner chose powder-coated aluminum balusters over stainless cable, saving $1,450 immediately.
5. The final proposal—complete with 3-D render—was signed digitally on the spot.
• Real-time pricing can shift daily—running numbers through CountBricks even a week later may alter totals dramatically
• Interactive option toggles help homeowners visualize upgrades and reductions, speeding approvals
• Automatic permit fee calculations prevent last-minute budget overruns
• Time saved on estimating (average 3.2 hours
