A 12x16 deck is 192 square feet, the common starter size for a back door landing with room for a table or a grill. The footprint is small, so the number swings mostly on one decision: what you build it out of.
Example rates, worked out
| Material | Example rate | 12x16 (192 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated | $40 / sq ft | $7,680 |
| Cedar | $50 / sq ft | $9,600 |
| Composite | $60 / sq ft | $11,520 |
Example rates only. These are installed rates that already carry framing, fasteners, and labor, not just the boards. Your real numbers come from your material cost and your crew, which is exactly what PriceDesk stores for you.
What moves a deck number besides material
Height and framing drive cost as much as the decking. A ground-level deck frames fast; anything that needs taller posts, more footings, stairs, or a railing run adds labor that a flat per-foot rate misses. Deck stairs in the calculator price per step, so they land as their own line rather than getting smeared across the square footage.
If you are replacing an old deck, tear-out at the example $3 per square foot is $576 here, plus haul-off. Quote it separately so the customer sees what the demolition costs.
Material trade-offs and other sizes
The deck cost calculator opens preloaded at 12x16 in pressure-treated and switches materials or footprint instantly, including the 16x20 deck. If the customer is weighing the yearly upkeep, wood vs composite deck lays out the trade the number does not show, and how to price a deck build covers the framing calls in full.
Your rates on your phone, a quote in about ten seconds. PriceDesk is free for 14 days, no card.