*Prices shown are estimates for the Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia area and may vary based on site conditions, foundation and footing requirements, permits, and material grade. Contact us for a personalized quote.
Our free deck cost calculator estimates your project from size, material, and elevation. In the Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia area, professionally built decks run $25–$60 per square foot installed: a 12×16 pressure-treated deck lands around $4,800, while the same footprint in composite runs closer to $9,600.
Material drives the long-term math. Pressure-treated lumber is cheapest up front but needs staining every 2–3 years; composite and PVC cost roughly twice as much but are nearly maintenance-free for 25+ years.
| Material | Per Sq Ft | 12×16 Deck | 14×20 Deck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | $25 | $4,800 | $7,000 |
| Cedar | $35 | $6,720 | $9,800 |
| Composite | $50 | $9,600 | $14,000 |
| Tropical hardwood | $55 | $10,560 | $15,400 |
| PVC | $60 | $11,520 | $16,800 |
Between $25 and $60 per square foot installed, depending mostly on material. A typical 200–300 sq ft deck costs $5,000–$18,000 in the DMV area. Use the calculator above with your exact dimensions.
A 14×20 deck (280 sq ft) runs about $7,000 in pressure-treated lumber, $14,000 in composite, and up to $16,800 in PVC — before add-ons like railings ($1,500) and stairs ($600).
Usually, if you plan to stay in the home 8+ years. Composite costs about double pressure-treated wood up front but eliminates staining and sealing ($400–$800 every 2–3 years) and lasts 25–30 years without splintering or rot.
In most DMV jurisdictions, yes — typically for any deck attached to the house, more than 30 inches off the ground, or over a certain square footage. Your contractor should handle permitting; unpermitted decks cause problems at resale.
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