Summer is almost here again, and it comes with lighter, airy clothes and fancy family barbeques, best done on a deck. If you don't have one, chances are you've been considering adding one, and that's a great idea.
Why? Well, other than expanding your living space and enabling you to share the beautiful summer weather and the tranquillity of the outdoors with your loved ones, a deck also adds value to your home. But how much does it cost to build a deck? Well, there's no short answer as the cost is directly influenced by factors outlined below
The Design
A good deck certainly expands your living space. However, it also offers a multifunctional space where you and your loved ones can enjoy the natural beauty of your property.
However, for you to enjoy this pleasure, you must opt for a great design, and the more sophisticated and luxurious it is, the higher the costs.
For instance, if you're planning to use your deck mainly for sunbathing, you'll not need a roof.
Hence it'll be much cheaper. But if you plan on using your deck to enjoy family meals, day or night drinking with your buddies, you'll need a roof on it; hence it'll be pricier.
According to HomeAdvisor, the costs of adding a roof to a deck is anywhere between $3000 and $35000. This depends on how sophisticated you want to be. Adding stairs to it will see you spend between $15 and $25 per Sq., while a balcony will have you spending between $15 and $35.
In a nutshell, the more elaborate your design, the higher the costs will be as it'll require more planning, preparation, and will be more labor-intensive.
Materials
If you’re wondering how much does it cost to build a deck, the answer depends on the type and quantity of supplies you plan on using. Depending on what you go for, the cost of materials used in building a deck usually runs from $20 to $45 per sq. Ft. This is inclusive of all materials used in the process.
Note, there are plenty of cheap alternatives, but the cheaper the upfront costs, the higher the maintenance costs in the long run. For instance, pine is the most affordable material you can use on your deck.
You'll spend between $2 and $5 per Sq. Ft., depending on the grade as well as treatment. It is an excellent option as it boasts a soft, natural look and is not labour-intensive.
However, while installation costs are gentle, the maintenance costs are pretty high, and you may spend about $200 per square feet on maintenance every year. A concrete deck, on the other hand, will have you shell out more money at first but requires less maintenance, hence gentle on you in the long run.
Size
The bigger the deck, the higher the costs. On average, most decks cost between $30 and $60 per sq. Ft. This price depends on the material type as well as the design and amount of support required. For instance, if you want an elaborate, oversized deck, you'll spend more. Note, installation costs also count.
In a nutshell, there's no definite answer to how much it costs to build a deck. However, depending on all factors listed above, the national average cost of building a 200 square feet deck is about $6000 to $7,000. Add in factors such as labor, and you'll spend between $3,600 and $14,000.