Most new decks in Lancaster and Central Ohio cost $30 to $45 per square foot installed in pressure-treated lumber, and $55 to $80 per square foot in composite. A common 12×16 deck (192 square feet) runs about $5,800 to $8,600 treated or $10,600 to $15,400 composite, before stairs, upgraded railings or a roof.
Those ranges cover footings, framing, decking, standard railings, the permit and cleanup. Where your deck lands inside them comes down to height, shape, railing style and how much of the old deck has to come out first. Below is how we price it, so you can check any estimate you get, ours included.
Price per Square Foot, Installed
Installed means labor and materials together. Labor is usually about half of the total on a straightforward deck.
| Material | Per sq ft installed | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $30–$45 | Clean and seal every 2–3 years |
| Composite (Trex, TimberTech and similar) | $55–$80 | Wash once or twice a year |
| PVC decking | $65–$90 | Wash once or twice a year |
Typical Deck Prices by Size
Ground-level or low decks with one set of stairs and standard railings. Second-story decks add to these numbers; see the next section.
| Size | Pressure-treated | Composite |
|---|---|---|
| 10×12 (120 sq ft) | $3,600–$5,400 | $6,600–$9,600 |
| 12×16 (192 sq ft) | $5,800–$8,600 | $10,600–$15,400 |
| 16×20 (320 sq ft) | $9,600–$14,400 | $17,600–$25,600 |
| 20×20 (400 sq ft) | $12,000–$18,000 | $22,000–$32,000 |
What Pushes the Price Up
Two decks the same size can be thousands apart. These are the line items that move it.
What You Pay for Below the Boards
The part of a deck that fails in Ohio is the part nobody sees. Footings have to go below the frost line so freeze-thaw cycles do not heave the posts and rack the frame. In most of Central Ohio that means digging about 32 inches or deeper; your building department sets the exact figure.
The ledger, the board that attaches the deck to the house, has to be bolted into the rim joist and flashed so water does not rot the house behind it. A low bid that skips flashing or sets posts on blocks in the dirt is cheaper on day one and expensive within ten years.
Pressure-Treated or Composite?
Treated lumber costs less upfront. It also needs cleaning and sealing every two to three years, and boards can split, cup and splinter as they weather. Composite costs about 70% more to install but holds its color, does not splinter, and only needs washing.
Over 15 years, the sealing bills narrow the gap. If you plan to stay in the house a long time, composite usually comes out close to even. If you are selling in a few years or building a utility deck, treated makes sense. We price both on the same estimate so you can compare them side by side.
Permits and Timing
Under Ohio’s residential code, a deck needs a building permit unless it is small, low, freestanding and not at the required exit door. Inside Lancaster, Pickerington, Canal Winchester and Violet Township that means a building permit and inspections; in most other Fairfield County townships it means a township zoning permit. Fees are a small part of the total, but drawings and review add time before we can dig, so we file as soon as you sign. Our estimate includes the drawings, the applications and the inspections.
Once materials arrive, a typical deck takes one to two weeks on site. Spring books up fast, so homeowners who sign in fall or winter often get the earliest build dates.
How to Compare Deck Estimates
- Same material on every bid: brand and line of composite, or grade of treated lumber
- Footing depth and how many footings, not just “concrete footers”
- How the ledger attaches to the house, and whether it is flashed
- Railing type and height, and whether stairs are included
- Who pulls the permit and meets the inspector
- Removal and disposal of the old deck, if there is one
- Workmanship warranty in writing
Questions, Answered
How much does a 20×20 composite deck cost?
In Central Ohio, a ground-level 20×20 composite deck usually runs $22,000 to $32,000 installed with standard railings and one set of stairs. A raised or covered 20×20 costs more.
What is the labor cost to build a deck per square foot?
Labor is usually about half of the installed price, so roughly $15 to $25 per square foot on a straightforward deck. Height, stairs and complex layouts raise it.
How much does it cost to replace a deck?
Plan on the new-deck price for the size and material you choose, plus $1,000 to $3,000 to tear out and haul away the old one. If the footings and frame are sound, resurfacing with new boards and rails can cost less; we check before we price.
Is composite decking worth it in Ohio?
Usually, if you are staying more than about 10 years. Ohio winters and summer sun are hard on wood, and composite skips the sealing every few years. For short ownership or a utility deck, treated lumber is the better value.
Do I need a permit to build a deck in Lancaster?
Yes, inside Lancaster city limits, unless the deck is 200 square feet or less, no more than 30 inches above grade, freestanding and not at the required exit door. Permits come from the City of Lancaster Building Department, with a zoning clearance from city Planning & Zoning. We handle the drawings, the applications and the inspections.
When is the cheapest time to build a deck?
Material prices change little by season, but scheduling does. Signing in fall or winter gets you an early spring build date instead of waiting behind the spring rush.
Planning a deck?
See how we build them, with real project photos and reviews, on our Custom Decks & Porches page, or request a free written estimate.