Deck builders send an estimate after a site visit, once they have measured the area, checked the house attachment, and talked through materials. Homeowners usually collect two or three quotes and compare the total price, decking material, footing and framing details, and how long the work will take.
When to use estimates: Use estimates to provide project quotes and get client approval before starting work. Once approved, convert your estimate to an invoice with one click to collect payment.
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Invoice_1001_Client_2026-10-14.pdf
Size and height off the ground drive material and labor costs and whether a permit and railings are required.
Quotes that say only composite or treated lumber are hard to compare, and clients may assume a higher grade than you priced.
Footings and ledger flashing are what make a deck safe, and cheaper bids often cut them. Spelling them out justifies your price.
State who pulls the permit, who pays for it, and whether engineered drawings or surveys are needed.
Removing an old deck, grading, and disposal are easy to leave out and expensive to absorb.
Note that rot, buried obstacles, or code upgrades found after opening up the old structure will be priced as change orders.
Sets expectations for scheduling, delays from rain, and material lead times for special orders.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood deck, new build (materials and labor) | per sq ft | $25-45 |
| Cedar or redwood deck, new build | per sq ft | $35-60 |
| Composite or PVC deck, new build | per sq ft | $45-80 |
| Railing installation (wood or composite) | per linear ft | $40-100 |
| Deck stairs | per step | $100-250 |
| Deck resurfacing (replace boards, keep framing) | per sq ft | $15-35 |
| Repair and carpentry labor | per hour | $50-100 |
| Demolition and haul-away of old deck | per sq ft | $4-10 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
Per-square-foot rates are good for ballpark figures, but a final quote should come from a list of lumber, hardware, decking, and railing with current supplier prices. Add a waste factor of 8 to 15 percent for decking, more for diagonal patterns.
Presenting pressure-treated, cedar, and composite versions of the same deck lets clients choose a budget and keeps the conversation about options rather than haggling over your labor.
Lumber and composite prices can move quickly. Valid for 14 to 30 days is common, with a note that prices may change after that.
Lighting, benches, skirting, pergolas, and built-in planters should be separate lines so clients can remove or add them without a full re-quote.
Many deck builders offer free estimates for standard jobs. For complex designs, drawings, or engineering, a design fee of a few hundred dollars is common, often credited toward the project if the client signs.
Detailed enough that another builder could price the same job. Include dimensions, materials by name, footing and framing details, railing, stairs, permits, and exclusions. A one-line total invites disputes and makes comparisons unfair to you.
A fixed-price quote means you absorb ordinary overruns, so the scope and exclusions must be clear. Anything outside the written scope, such as rot or a design change, should go through a signed change order before you do the work.
It can if the client signs it and it includes the terms a contract needs, but many states require specific language for home improvement contracts, such as cancellation rights and license numbers. Check your local rules and consider using a separate written contract.
Use the Deck Builder invoice template to bill the client, or convert this estimate once it's approved.
Deck Builder invoice template