A new deck in the Lower Mainland typically costs $35 to $65 per sq ft in pressure-treated wood and $60 to $100 per sq ft in composite, built low and before railings, stairs and permits. In practice, a simple 12x16 ground-level deck runs about $7,500 to $14,000, while a 300 sq ft second-storey composite deck with aluminum or glass railings and a full stair often lands between $35,000 and $65,000. These are typical pre-GST figures for budgeting; real quotes depend on a site visit.
For a figure based on your own size, height and material, try our deck cost calculator.
Deck cost per square foot by material
The figures below are for a new, low deck attached to the house. They include footings, a pressure-treated frame, the decking surface, fasteners and standard labour. Railings, stairs, demolition, permits and engineering are extra.
| Decking material | Installed cost per sq ft | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | $35 to $65 | Lowest upfront cost; stain every 2 to 3 years |
| Western red cedar | $50 to $85 | Real wood look; lumber prices swing with supply |
| Capped composite | $60 to $100 | No staining; premium lines sit at the top |
| Capped PVC | $75 to $120 | Usually 15 to 30% above mid-range composite |
| Vinyl membrane (new deck) | $45 to $85 | Waterproof surface; a rougher estimate |
The low end suits simple rectangular jobs in the Fraser Valley. The high end reflects Metro Vancouver and the North Shore, tricky access or premium product lines. In our wet climate, joist tape on the frame is recommended, and it adds about $1 to $2 per sq ft.
Torn between the two most popular choices? See cedar vs composite decking for the 10- and 20-year numbers.
How height changes the price
Height is a big cost driver. A ground-level deck under 24 in (600 mm) is the cheapest to build and often needs no guard. Go higher and you add taller posts, beams, bracing, guards and often scaffolding and engineering.
Compared with the same deck built low, a raised deck of 2 to 6 ft costs roughly 15 to 30% more per sq ft. A second-storey deck at 8 to 12 ft costs roughly 40 to 70% more, plus $1,500 to $4,000 for engineering. So a 200 sq ft deck typically runs $8,000 to $16,000 at ground level in pressure-treated, $12,000 to $24,000 raised up to 6 ft, and $20,000 to $40,000 at second-storey height with railings and stairs.
Under the BC Building Code, a guard is needed where the deck is more than 600 mm above the ground. On a house deck it must be at least 900 mm (36 in) high, rising to 1,070 mm (42 in) once the deck is more than 1,800 mm (about 6 ft) up. That is why most second-storey decks carry aluminum or glass railings.
Railings
Railings are priced per linear foot. Aluminum picket is the most common choice on new Lower Mainland decks.
| Railing type | Installed cost per linear ft |
|---|---|
| Wood (pressure-treated or cedar) | $35 to $75 |
| Aluminum picket | $60 to $140 |
| Framed glass with aluminum posts | $100 to $275 |
| Frameless or topless glass | $300 to $400 |
| Stainless cable | $120 to $280 (few local examples) |
Stair sections, corners and gates push prices up, and frameless glass often needs engineer-sealed drawings. A 12x16 deck attached along its long side has about 40 ft of open edge, so aluminum picket would add roughly $2,400 to $5,600. Compare systems on our deck railings page.
Stairs, demolition and footings
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Short stairs (1 to 3 steps) off a low deck | $500 to $2,000 |
| Full stair flight from a raised or second-storey deck | $3,500 to $9,000 |
| Mid-flight landing | $1,000 to $3,000 extra |
| Tear-out and disposal of an old deck | $800 to $3,500 |
| Concrete pier, each | $150 to $400 |
| Helical (screw) pile, each | $400 to $800 |
Big or second-storey decks, concrete footings and hot tub pads can push tear-out to $4,000 or more. If the old frame is still sound, our guide on whether to repair or replace a deck may save you a rebuild.
Footings are cheaper here than on the Prairies because frost depth is shallow, about 450 to 600 mm. The catch is soil. Wet clay in parts of Surrey, and peat or high water tables on the Fraser floodplain (Richmond, Delta, Pitt Meadows, parts of Langley, Abbotsford's Sumas Prairie and Chilliwack) often call for helical piles instead of concrete piers. Sloped North Shore lots can add $2,500 to $10,000 in footings.
Covers, pergolas and roofs
With rain from fall to spring, a cover is a popular upgrade.
- Open pergola, about 10x12 to 12x16: $5,000 to $18,000
- Motorised louvered aluminum roof: $15,000 to $30,000
- Aluminum patio cover: $35 to $60 per sq ft of covered area
- Wood-framed roof tied into the house, with gutters and soffit: $60 to $120 per sq ft
Covered structures usually need a permit, engineering and zoning checks for lot coverage, floor space ratio and setbacks. Learn more about covered decks.
Permits and engineering
Permit rules vary by municipality, so always confirm with your city. Richmond, Delta, Coquitlam and the District of North Vancouver exempt decks under 600 mm above grade. Surrey says you need a building permit for a deck addition on a house in most cases, and Vancouver lists decks among work that generally needs a permit. Neither states a height exemption.
Permit fees typically run $200 to $1,500 depending on the value of the work. Approval usually takes 3 to 8 weeks, or 6 to 12 weeks for covered or engineered decks. Engineering ($1,500 to $4,000) is commonly required for second-storey decks, covered roofs, sloped lots, helical pile foundations and frameless glass guards. In Port Coquitlam, permit fees double if work starts before the permit is issued. Our deck permit guide covers the rules town by town.
Metro Vancouver vs Fraser Valley
Location moves the price. Deck labour outside Vancouver runs roughly 25 to 30% lower. For a whole job, here is a rough guide using Surrey, Delta, Langley and Maple Ridge as the baseline.
| Area | Rough price vs baseline |
|---|---|
| Vancouver, North Shore, West Vancouver | 10 to 20% higher |
| Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster, Tri-Cities | About 5% higher |
| Surrey, Delta, Langley, Maple Ridge | Baseline |
| Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack | 5 to 10% lower |
Site conditions matter too. Tight lots, no lane access, townhouses and strata properties (which need strata approval), materials carried through the house and scaffolding all add labour.
Typical whole-job costs
| Project | Typical total, pre-GST |
|---|---|
| 12x16 ground-level pressure-treated deck, short stairs, little or no railing | $7,500 to $14,000 |
| 12x16 ground-level composite deck, short stairs | $12,500 to $22,000 |
| 300 sq ft second-storey composite deck, aluminum or glass railing, full stairs | $35,000 to $65,000 |
| New vinyl deck over living space, about 200 sq ft, aluminum or glass railing | $15,000 to $32,000 |
| New 12x16 deck with a solid roof, permit and engineering included | $20,000 to $45,000 |
| Roof or cover added over an existing 12x16 deck | $7,000 to $20,000 |
| Re-deck a 12x16 frame with composite boards | $5,000 to $11,000 |
| Vinyl membrane re-cover on a sound deck, about 200 sq ft | $3,000 to $7,000 |
How to keep the cost down
Keep it low and simple. A rectangular deck under 600 mm usually skips guards and, in some municipalities, a permit. Each foot of post height adds roughly $800 to $1,500.
Choose railings with care. Aluminum picket costs a fraction of frameless glass. Some local railing firms offer budget glass panels in a picket frame from about $60 to $65 per ft on straight runs.
Reuse what is sound. New boards on a solid frame cost about $20 to $50 per sq ft, well below a full rebuild.
Book in the off-season. Some builders have more flexibility on labour between October and March, when demand is lower, though rain can slow the work.
Compare at least three quotes. The lowest total is not always the best value. Our guide on how to compare deck quotes shows what to check line by line, and the deck cost calculator gives you a fair benchmark before builders arrive.
The quickest way to a real number is a site visit. Request free quotes from up to three vetted local deck builders through Valley Deck Builders, then compare them side by side before you decide.
Common questions
How much does a 12x16 deck cost in Vancouver?
A 12x16 ground-level pressure-treated deck with short stairs typically runs about $7,500 to $14,000 before GST, and the same deck in composite about $12,500 to $22,000. Vancouver and North Shore jobs tend to sit toward the top of those ranges.
Is it cheaper to build a deck in the Fraser Valley than in Vancouver?
Usually, yes. Deck labour outside Vancouver runs roughly 25 to 30% lower, so a whole job in Abbotsford, Mission or Chilliwack often comes in around 5 to 10% under Surrey or Langley, while Vancouver and the North Shore run about 10 to 20% above them.
Do deck quotes in BC include GST?
Contractor quotes in BC are usually given before the 5% GST, so add it when you budget. PST on materials is generally built into the builder's price.
How much does a deck permit cost in the Lower Mainland?
Permit fees typically run about $200 to $1,500 depending on the value of the work, and engineering adds $1,500 to $4,000 when it is required. Rules and fees vary by municipality, so confirm with your city before you build.