Size and height
Square footage sets the base, but height matters too. In Denver, decks 30 inches or more above grade need a building permit and guards at least 36 inches high, and taller decks need longer posts, more bracing and often more stairs.
Deck Cost in Denver, CO
What new decks, repairs, staining, railings and pergolas typically cost in Denver, plus a calculator for a rough range before you request quotes.
Get a Free Quote Call (727) 300-6656Denver deck prices at a glance
The figures below are typical ranges from published cost guides (2025–2026). They are estimates, not quotes, and they are not bids from Denver CO Deck Builders. We connect Denver-area homeowners with independent local deck builders for free, no-obligation quotes, and each contractor sets its own price after seeing your yard.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| New deck in Denver, installed | about $34–$69 per sq ft; average project about $9,640 |
| Pressure-treated wood | $25–$50 per sq ft installed |
| Cedar | $30–$47 per sq ft installed |
| Composite | $40–$80 per sq ft installed |
| PVC | $50–$70 per sq ft installed |
| 12×16 deck (192 sq ft) | $4,800–$9,600 pressure-treated; $7,680–$15,350 composite |
| Deck repair in Denver | average about $1,891 (typically $746–$3,060) |
| Deck removal / demolition | $1,000–$7,000+ ($3–$10 per sq ft) |
| Staining & sealing | $1.57–$4.04 per sq ft; stripping and refinishing $3.00–$6.50 per sq ft |
| Railing, installed (per linear ft) | wood $20–$50; vinyl/composite $25–$60; aluminum $50–$200; glass $100–$600 |
| Deck stairs | $1,400–$2,600 installed |
| Covered deck / pergola | new deck with cover $5,000–$18,000; pergola $10–$40 (prefab) or $30–$65 (custom) per sq ft |
| Permit | Denver fees are based on project value (no flat deck fee); national guides show about $230–$500 |
Published guides put Denver more than 15% above national averages for new decks, which fits a market with deep frost footings, a high snow load and plenty of permit paperwork.
Deck cost calculator
Pick a project type, enter your size and add the extras you are considering. The calculator multiplies your numbers by the ranges in the table above. A 12×16 deck is 192 sq ft; a typical railing on three open sides of that deck is roughly 28 linear feet.
Denver deck repairs average about $1,891 in published cost guides; most fall between $746 and $3,060.
Estimated range: $5,360–$11,000
Rough estimate only — your quote depends on size, height, access and design. Ranges come from published cost guides (2025–2026).
What drives deck prices in Denver
Material
Pressure-treated wood is usually the lowest upfront cost, cedar sits slightly higher, and composite and PVC cost the most. Wood needs periodic cleaning and re-staining, which adds cost over time. Compare options on the composite & PVC decks and wood decks pages.
Footings and structure
The 2025 Denver Building Code sets a 36-inch frost line, so footings go below that depth unless the deck is exempt. Decks must also carry the greater of the live load or the 43 psf ground snow load, which shapes joist and beam sizes.
Ledger and attachment
The American Wood Council's prescriptive deck guide (DCA 6) says ledgers may not attach to brick or stone veneer, hollow masonry, cantilevered floor overhangs or bay windows. In those cases a freestanding deck with extra posts is used, which can change the price.
Railings, stairs and covers
Railings are priced per linear foot and vary widely, from wood at $20–$50 to glass at $100–$600. Stairs run about $1,400–$2,600. Covered decks and pergolas add both cost and permits; see covered decks and railings & stairs.
Permits and approvals
Denver permit fees are based on project value, not a flat deck fee, and they double (minimum $100) for work started without a permit. HOA review and, in historic districts, a Certificate of Appropriateness can add time before work starts.
Repair, replacement or refinish?
With a median build year of 1975 for homes in the city of Denver (ACS 2024 5-year), many decks are old enough that owners weigh repair against replacement. Denver repairs average about $1,891, typically $746–$3,060. Removing a deck runs about $3–$10 per sq ft, or $1,000–$7,000+ overall, before the cost of the new one. If the framing is sound, staining at $1.57–$4.04 per sq ft may be all a deck needs; stripping and refinishing runs $3.00–$6.50. Learn more about deck repair, deck replacement and deck staining.
Cost vs value: does a deck pay off at resale?
Cost vs Value 2025, Mountain region (regional estimate): a wood deck addition costs about $18,253 and recoups about 97% of that at resale; a composite deck addition costs about $26,342 and recoups about 82%. Nationally, wood recoups about 95% and composite about 89%.
These are regional averages for a specific project size, not a promise about your home. They suggest a well-built deck holds much of its value, and that composite's appeal is lower upkeep more than a bigger resale return. Read more in deck resale value in Denver.
How to get accurate deck quotes
A calculator range is a starting point. To get comparable written quotes, share the same details with each contractor: deck size and height, material, railing type, stairs, any cover or pergola, and whether an old deck has to come out. Ask each quote to list materials, footings, permit handling and the payment schedule. Our quote process explains what happens after you submit the form.
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Denver deck cost FAQ
How much does a 12×16 deck cost in Denver?
A 12×16 deck covers 192 sq ft. Published cost guides (2025–2026) put it at about $4,800–$9,600 in pressure-treated wood and about $7,680–$15,350 in composite, installed. Stairs, railings, height off the ground and a cover can push the total higher. Treat these as estimates; a contractor's on-site quote is the real number.
Is a composite deck worth the extra cost?
Composite costs more up front, while wood needs periodic cleaning and re-staining. On resale, the Cost vs Value 2025 report's Mountain region estimate shows a wood deck addition recouping about 97% of its cost and a composite deck about 82%. Nationally the figures are about 95% and 89%. Many owners choose composite for lower upkeep rather than resale.
How much is a deck permit in Denver?
Denver does not publish a flat deck permit fee. Building permit fees are based on project value, and a separate zoning permit fee applies. National cost guides show about $230–$500 for a deck permit. Fees double, with a $100 minimum, if work starts without a permit. Confirm current fees with Denver Community Planning and Development.
How much does deck repair cost in Denver?
Published cost guides put deck repair in Denver at an average of about $1,891, with most jobs between $746 and $3,060. Replacing a few boards or tightening a railing sits at the low end. Rotted joists, a failing ledger or new stairs can push it higher, and sometimes replacing the deck makes more sense than repairing it.
Is the calculator result a quote?
No. The calculator multiplies your size by typical ranges from published cost guides (2025–2026), so it gives a rough estimate only. Your quote depends on size, height, access, footings, materials and design. Independent deck builders give written quotes after seeing your yard, and Denver CO Deck Builders does not set any price.
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