Size and shape
More square footage costs more in total but often less per square foot. Curves, angles and wraparounds add labour.
Deck cost guide
How much does a deck cost in Ontario?
In 2026, a new deck in Ontario typically runs about $45 to $95 per square foot installed, so a standard 12 by 12 deck lands roughly between $6,500 and $13,700 depending on the material. Pressure-treated is the budget option, composite the premium one. Below is how the numbers break down, and what moves them.
Typical Ontario ranges for 2026. Your written quote is free and exact.
Cost by material
Deck price per square foot, installed.
Installed cost means materials and our labour together, including footings below the frost line, basic railing, and standard detailing. Larger or multi-level builds with stairs, privacy screens and premium railings sit at the top of each range.
| Material | Per sq ft, installed | 12 x 12 deck (144 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treatedBudget workhorse | $45 to $65 | $6,500 to $9,400 |
| Cedar / natural woodWarmest look | $55 to $80 | $7,900 to $11,500 |
| Composite / PVCPremium, low maintenance | $65 to $95 | $9,400 to $13,700 |
Across all materials, Ontario decks run roughly $25 to $100 per square foot once design complexity, height and site access are factored in. Large multi-level and fully custom builds are bigger projects; see how we build them or ask us for a written quote.
What moves the number
What affects your deck's price.
Height and stairs
A deck more than 60 cm off the ground needs deeper footings, guards and stairs, all of which add cost and usually a permit.
Material
Pressure-treated is lowest up front; composite costs more but skips years of staining. We lay out the trade-offs honestly.
Railings and extras
Glass or aluminum railings, privacy screens, skirting, lighting and benches each add to a base build.
Site access and grade
Tight access, sloped lots and rock change how footings go in and how material gets to the back yard.
Permits
Most attached or raised decks in our corridor need a building permit. We flag what yours needs during the walkthrough.
Spread the cost
Build now, pay over time.
A bigger deck does not have to wait for the whole budget. We offer flexible financing on deck projects, so you can move forward this season and pay in manageable monthly amounts. We lay out the options with the same honesty as the materials.
Deck cost questions
Quick answers.
How much does a deck cost in Ontario in 2026?
A new deck in Ontario typically costs about $45 to $95 per square foot installed in 2026, so a 12 by 12 deck runs roughly $6,500 to $13,700 depending on the material. Pressure-treated sits at the low end, composite at the high end. Large multi-level and custom builds are larger projects; we quote yours free.
Is composite or pressure-treated cheaper?
Pressure-treated is cheaper up front, around $45 to $65 per square foot installed versus $65 to $95 for composite. Composite costs more at the start and pays it back in years of no staining or sealing, plus better resistance to fading and freeze-thaw. We will tell you honestly which fits your budget and how you use the space.
Why do composite decks cost more?
Capped composite boards cost more than lumber and take more care to install with the right gapping and hidden fasteners. The premium buys low maintenance: no annual staining, better colour retention, and boards that shrug off Ontario freeze-thaw. Over the life of the deck the gap narrows.
Does a bigger deck cost less per square foot?
Often, yes. Fixed costs like mobilization, footings and access are spread over more area, so the per-square-foot rate usually drops as the deck grows. Height, stairs, railings and complex shapes push it back up.
Do I need a permit, and does it add cost?
In most of our corridor, a deck attached to the house or more than 60 cm off the ground needs a building permit, while ground-level platforms often do not. Permit fees and the drawings vary by township. We flag what your project needs during the walkthrough and plan the schedule around it.
Want a price for your deck, not a range?
Tell us about your space and we will walk the site, lay out your material options, and give you a written, no-obligation quote with the real number for your project.