Quick Answer

Deck Building Cost in Boston (2026)

Average cost in Boston

US$15,811avg

US$5,400 — US$50,000

US$37 — US$80 per sq ft

+5.5% YoY
9 sources
Updated 3 days ago
Greater Boston

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Materials

Decking boards, framing, and hardware

US$2,430 — US$22,500

45%

Labor

Skilled carpentry and installation

US$2,052 — US$19,000

38%

Site Prep & Disposal

Demolition and yard leveling

US$648 — US$6,000

12%

Permits & Inspections

Boston ISD valuation-based fees

US$270 — US$2,500

5%

🧾Sales Tax (6.25%) — Massachusetts
Base cost + $988 tax$16,799

Sales Tax at 6.25%

📋What's Included

Scope

Typically Includes

  • Pressure-treated lumber
  • Concrete footings
  • Railing system
  • Stairs (1 set)
  • Hardware & fasteners
  • Labor

Typically Excludes

  • Composite or hardwood decking
  • Built-in seating or planters
  • Pergola or roof
  • Lighting
  • Permits

Based on a standard 200 sq ft pressure-treated wood deck.

🧮Estimate Your Cost

Interactive

Estimated Cost

US$8,640

US$6,912 — US$10,368

Based on 9 sources and market data for Boston. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.

📈Price Momentum

Year-over-year

~1 year ago

US$14,987

Today

US$15,811

Deck Building in Boston is 5.5% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$824 more on the average project.

Comparison derived from the year-over-year change rate, not a month-by-month price index. We don't store historical snapshots yet — when we do, this will become a real time series.

🏢Top Deck Build Contractors in Boston

Verified providers
🔨

Sustainable Decks

6 Cavanaugh Rd, Braintree, MA 02184, USA

5.0
★★★★★

54 reviews

🔨

Boston Hardwood Decks

32 Rockland Ave, Malden, MA 02148, USA

5.0
★★★★★

39 reviews

🔨

Boston Construction Inc.

1 Washington mall #1308, Boston, MA 02108, USA

5.0
★★★★★

34 reviews

🔨

Abacus

190 Old Colony Ave, Boston, MA 02127, USA

4.9
★★★★½

88 reviews

🔨

Archadeck of Suburban Boston

16 Adams St, Burlington, MA 01803, USA

4.7
★★★★½

89 reviews

Provider data sourced from public business directories. Ratings and reviews are public and may change. LookupCost is not affiliated with listed providers.

💬What People Actually Paid

Community

Common Questions

Boston ISD permit fees are valuation-based, typically costing $10 per $1,000 of the project's estimated value plus a primary fee. For a standard $15,000-$30,000 deck, homeowners should budget between $325 and $700 for combined permit and plan review fees.

Due to high demand and union influence, Boston labor rates are 30-50% higher than the national average. Expect to pay between $75 and $120 per hour for skilled carpenters, which translates to roughly $9 to $15 per square foot in labor costs alone.

While pressure-treated wood is the cheapest at $2-$6 per sq ft for materials, composite (Trex/TimberTech) and PVC are highly recommended for Boston's humidity and snow. Composite decks in Boston cost $40-$80 per sq ft installed but offer a high ROI of approximately 89% at resale.

A standard residential plan review by the Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD) typically takes 5 to 15 business days. However, the total cycle from application to final inspection usually spans 4 to 8 weeks, potentially longer if zoning variances are required.

📊Our Methodology

How we collect data
1

Aggregated from 5+ verified web sources and cost databases

2

Licensed contractor estimates and regional cost guides

3

Government construction and labor statistics

4

Community-reported project costs and reviews

Last data collection: 3 days ago. Updates run weekly. All costs in USD.

About this data

Cost figures are estimates synthesized from public market data using AI research and refreshed regularly. Real project costs vary by scope, materials, contractor, and site conditions. Always get verified quotes from licensed contractors for your specific project.

Spotted bad data? Let us know — we'll review and update.