How the deck cost calculator works
The three cost tiers
Pressure-treated (~$6/sq ft installed DIY) is the entry standard. Cedar (~$12) buys rot resistance and looks without composite's price. Composite (~$22) buys maintenance-free years — the lifetime math against annual staining narrows the gap, and resale appeal closes more of it. Framing costs barely change across tiers; decking surface drives the difference.
Where DIY saves and struggles
Labor is roughly half of pro deck cost, so DIY halves the bill — and concentrates the difficulty in framing (level, square, flashed) and railings (code-required heights and gaps). Footings, ledger attachment, and rail integrity are the three checkpoints inspectors examine; all three reward the extra hour of care.
Permits and hidden lines
Permits ($100–500), footings below frost line, and hardware (hangers, flashing, structural screws) are the lines that surprise first budgets — together often 15% of the build. The calculator includes footing and framing estimates; the permit line is local and yours to fetch.