Dreaming of spending summer evenings out on a new deck? The first thing that will likely come to mind is how much will this cost. Seattle homeowners will learn quickly that online national average cost calculators based on home improvement websites do not accurately portray the reality of construction costs here. When taking into account factors such as steep hillside properties, permitting requirements, and the fact that Seattle construction labor cost well exceeds the national average, the true cost of deck building Seattle becomes quite a bit more expensive than an estimate from a general cost calculator will reveal. This article takes a look at the true cost of decks, their top determinants, and how to plan for them.
The Quick Answer
The price that is estimated for the average deck that does not have any other special feature except for pressure-treated wood or cedar will be around $18,000-$45,000. In case the person wants to use the composite decking material such as Trex or TimberTech, the price would be between $28,000-$65,000. As far as the price per square foot for deck construction in Seattle is concerned, it would be around $37-$75.
These price ranges were intentionally broad. In contrast to flatter and more homogenous markets, Seattle is subject to several factors which can affect deck prices significantly and lead to a difference of tens of thousands of dollars in total. The price for a deck on a flat and easily accessible property in Ballard and another property on a steep slope in Queen Anne can vary greatly.
Reasons Why Seattle is More Expensive Compared to Other Places in the Country
When people try to find out Seattle deck cost online, they will see national average costs of Seattle deck cost ranging from $15 to $35 per square foot. The reasons why the costs of Seattle deck are higher than the national average are explained below.
Labor cost. The highly skilled carpenters and licensed contractors in Seattle usually ask for a higher fee than the national average, especially the ones who earn journeyman fees usually get around $35 to $50 per hour. Since the labor cost comprises half to three-quarters of the total cost of the construction project, this becomes one of the major reasons why Seattle deck cost is higher than other places.
Permit. As previously mentioned, SDCI or Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections usually require permits in almost all cases of elevated decks. This usually happens when the walking surface of the deck exceeds 18 to 30 inches from grade. The cost of the permit varies according to the total value of the project. People would spend around $800 to $2,500 just to get permits for their deck construction projects. In addition to this, it takes about 4 to 8 weeks to process, which is longer than Bellevue and Kirkland.
Slope and hillside. Some neighborhoods in Seattle like Queen Anne, Magnolia, Capitol Hill, and Beacon Hill have hillsides and slopes. When building decks on slopes, it requires unique footing design, high post support, and drainage design which is reviewed separately from the structure itself. Additional costs for this would usually increase the cost per square foot by $8 to $20 or even more compared to the construction of decks in flat lots. Sometimes, due to the huge slope of the land, construction workers would need cranes just to carry the materials to the site, which costs them around $1,000 to $3,000 a day.
Extra material cost due to weather conditions. Seattle and the surroundings have a lot of rainfall. Consequently, untreated wood would quickly rot because of this weather condition. Contractors recommend stainless steel or coated hardware and fasteners which do not easily rot or resist moisture.
Material Choice Matters
Material cost is the second most important determinant in terms of production cost after labor cost.
- Pressure-treated wood Cheapest way to go, and usually it is one of the cheapest materials in the cost range per square foot. The upkeep of staining and sealing is needed so that it can withstand Seattle’s rain.
- Cedar It looks nicer and also has the advantage of being naturally resistant to rotting, but it is a little more costly than the pressure-treated wood.
- Composite decking (brands like Trex and TimberTech), though initially higher priced than the others, is the most suitable deck material in comparison to the others because it doesn’t have to be stained, sanded, or sealed for its entire life cycle.
- Exotic hardwoods Ipe/Tigerwood can be one of the most expensive wood types on the planet. The reason is that these woods are very durable woods and hence expensive per square foot.
Other Cost Factors to Plan For
Beyond the base structure, several add-ons commonly show up in Seattle deck quotes:
- Demolition of an existing deck, if you’re replacing an old structure, generally runs a few dollars per square foot, though a full demolition on a mid-size deck can run into the low thousands depending on site access.
- Stairs typically add anywhere from roughly $1,500 to $4,000 per flight, depending on materials and complexity.
- Second-story or elevated decks often carry a 25 to 50 percent premium over ground-level builds due to the additional engineering, deeper footings, and structural requirements involved.
- Premium railings, such as cable or glass systems, along with built-in seating, integrated lighting, or attached pergolas, can add another 15 to 30 percent on top of a base composite build.
When you add these together, it’s easy to see how a modest 300-square-foot deck project can land anywhere from $18,000 on the low end to well over $50,000 once you factor in slope, materials, and custom features.
How to Estimate the Cost
Having in mind the multitude of factors that affects the overall cost, an online estimator won’t help you to understand how much you have to pay in this case. The best way for a Seattle resident to make estimations will be the visit of the local contractor who knows all the nuances of SDCI permit process, King County labor costs, and other specifics.
While analyzing different estimates, please make sure that all the cost aspects are disclosed. An honest estimate will include all information related to demolition and disposal, types of frame and ledger boards, permits and inspections, materials and labor costs, timeline, cleaning, and much more. If your estimate doesn’t provide you with enough information except for the price, be ready to receive some unexpected extra costs.
Conclusion
The cost of deck construction in Seattle is higher than the national one for a number of reasons. High labor costs, permitting process specifics, hilly terrain, and others can affect your total cost. Thus, it is important to be prepared for a certain range of prices varying from $18,000 to $65,000 for an ordinary sized deck in Seattle depending on the material used.