Cost to Build a Deck in Canada: Plan Your Budget

While decks in Canada are primarily a seasonal living area, they can still add to the value of your home and enhance the quality of your life.

If you’re thinking about building a deck on your property, it’s important to be prepared for the costs, which can vary depending on where you live. You’ll also need to decide who’ll handle the installation and the type of deck you want.

Deck costs per square foot; materials and labour

Type of deck	Typical cost for materials and labour
Treated Wood	$49 per square foot
Hardwood	$54 per square foot
Composite	$67 per square foot

Prices reflect averages sourced from sites like Decks for Life[1], Reno Assistance[2] and Super Decks Toronto.[3] Your cost to build a deck may vary.

Costs vary, even in the same area. The smartest move you can make is to get multiple quotes. For example, in a Reddit thread on r/RealEstateCanada, one user reported getting estimates of $5,500 and $12,000 for the same project.[4] Skip this step and you could leave money on the table.

Factors that affect the average cost of building a deck

Size

The most obvious factor that will play a role in the cost of your deck is its size. The larger the deck, the more expensive the price — not just in terms of materials, but also in terms of the labour costs from hiring someone to design and build the deck for you.

Style and complexity

Will your deck be a simple rectangle or square, or do you want a unique shape that gives you more options for entertaining? Are you adding a railing? Will it have multiple levels that require stairs? There is a lot to consider when it comes to designing your deck, and every add-on or additional feature that makes it unique will also increase the price.

Materials

Treated wood and wood composite are the most common materials, with wood composite being the more expensive of the two. Other materials, like hardwood, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), fibreglass and concrete typically cost more than traditional lumber and treated wood.

Keep in mind that each type of decking material has its own pros and cons, and some will last longer and be easier to maintain than others.

Labour costs in your area

Where you live plays a meaningful role in how much it’ll cost to build a deck. This holds true for not just deck-building supplies, but also labour. The labour cost to build a deck in a big city like Toronto may be higher than what you can expect to pay in a small town in rural Ontario. Even then, different contractors will charge different fees based on demand for their services, so don’t be afraid to shop around for quotes.

Nerdy Tip: You could always opt for a DIY approach to building your deck if the size, style and complexity are fairly straightforward. This would allow you to avoid the cost of labour, but will require a greater amount of your time and energy — you’ll have to source materials on your own.

Other deck building costs to consider

Removal and disposal of current decking materials

If you’re replacing an existing deck, there will probably be an additional fee associated with having a team dismantle and dispose of the demolished materials. Even if you decide to save money and dispose of it yourself, you’ll likely still have to pay dump fees. Waste from a remodeling project isn’t something you can leave on your curb for normal garbage pickup.

Permitting

Depending on where you live, you may need a permit from the local government to build a new deck on your property. In some areas, a permit is only necessary if the deck is attached to your house or over a certain size. Make sure to do your research. If hiring a professional, ensure they apply for and obtain any permits before getting started.

Excavation work

Many decks are built on a foundation of concrete footings and simple wood posts, but you may still need to clear and grade the area before these can be installed. If you had a pre-existing deck, this work might already have been done. However, if the area for your new deck is overgrown, rocky or uneven, it might take a bit more effort to build the foundation, which will come with a higher expense.

Benefits of installing a new deck

More living space without a full addition

If your home feels cramped, especially during spring and summer, adding a deck can be an easy and affordable way to increase your living space without the cost of a full home addition — or buying a new home.

Potential to increase home value

Despite being a seasonal feature, a deck is a home improvement can be attractive to potential buyers. The extra space is great for entertaining, enjoying the warm weather and encouraging people, especially families, to spend more time outside. Plus, if most of the homes in your market have a backyard deck, and yours doesn’t, home shoppers might not want to make an offer. In this way, building a deck could be a smart strategy for getting top dollar when you sell.

Complement your lifestyle

While expanding your home and increasing its value are both big advantages, adding a deck can also simply improve or complement your lifestyle. Maybe you just love being outdoors and want a comfortable space to sit and read a book on a sunny day. Or, perhaps you love to entertain, and a deck is a good space to host guests while dining in the fresh air. If building a deck will enhance your life, it’s likely a good investment.

This cost to build a 20-by-20-foot deck will depend on the materials you use and whether the area is already cleared and graded. A 400-square-foot deck made of pressure-treated wood with no railing will likely cost between $10,000 and $15,000, depending on the design.

It can be, assuming you are handy and have the tools required. There are a number of websites and video tutorials with plans and instructions on how to build a simple deck. However, if you don’t have the tools needed and aren’t familiar with this type of handiwork, then it might be better to leave it to the professionals.

Decks For Life, “Average Price to Build a Deck Toronto in 2023,” accessed July 10, 2024.
RenoAssistance, “How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck in 2023 Montreal vs Toronto?,” accessed July 10, 2024.
Super Decks Toronto, “VIRTUAL DECK ESTIMATOR,” accessed July 10, 2024.
Reddit, “Deck Cost,” accessed September 9, 2024.

Cost to Build a Deck: Plan Your Budget

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Deck costs per square foot; materials and labour

Factors that affect the average cost of building a deck