Wood deck cost in San Francisco, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $9,500 – $19,100
- Per sq ft
- $31.50 – $63
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +26%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #2
- 1 = most expensive
San Francisco homeowners pay roughly $9,500 to $19,100 to build a wood deck at 300 sq ft, or $31.50 to $63 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, San Francisco is 26% higher. Carpenters earn a median of $42.89 an hour in the San Francisco area, 47% above the US median of $29.12.
Estimate your wood deck cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in San Francisco, CA, standard level
$12,400 to $16,200
About $41 to $53.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,900 | $7,750 |
| Labor | $6,400 | $8,350 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $140 |
| Total | $12,400 | $16,200 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in San Francisco, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,550 | $6,850 | $9,100 | 48% |
| Labor | $4,900 | $7,350 | $9,800 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $60 | $120 | $170 | 1% |
| Total | $9,500 | $14,300 | $19,100 | 100% |
What is behind the San Francisco number
Labor is 51% of the midpoint bill here, against 44% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (80%), construction laborers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In San Francisco the blended ratio comes out at 1.49.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the San Francisco metro is 108.5 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $6,850, compared with $6,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (115.6) and land at $60 to $170.
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for San Francisco is 1.49 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $42.89 an hour, which is 47% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $30.45 and $48.26 an hour. BLS counts 14,010 of them working in the area, 59.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $34.91 an hour, 54% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $28.03 and $40.50 an hour. About 11,620 work in the metro. That is 48.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($48.26 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $730. At the 25th percentile ($30.45) it shrinks by about $1,700. The total moves by 5.1% or 11.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 2,373,920 jobs in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area. That makes it the 12th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 1.53% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $30.45 | $42.89 | $48.26 | $29.12 | 1.47 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $28.03 | $34.91 | $40.50 | $22.66 | 1.54 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.49 | |||||
How San Francisco compares
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than San Francisco. Stockton is the lowest at about $12,500 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 55 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CAthis page | $9,500 – $19,100 | $14,300 | |
| Vallejo, CA40 miles | $8,650 – $17,400 | $13,000 | −9% |
| Napa, CA50 miles | $8,800 – $17,700 | $13,300 | −7% |
| Santa Cruz, CA55 miles | $8,700 – $17,400 | $13,000 | −9% |
| Stockton, CA55 miles | $8,300 – $16,600 | $12,500 | −13% |
| Santa Rosa, CA65 miles | $8,800 – $17,700 | $13,300 | −7% |
| California (statewide) | $8,650 – $17,400 | $13,000 | −9% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −21% |
Across 300 US metros, San Francisco comes in at #2 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $14,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $9,050 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, San Francisco is 10% above the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $8,650 – $17,400 | $13,000 | −9% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $8,250 – $16,500 | $12,400 | −13% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $8,600 – $17,200 | $12,900 | −10% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $8,950 – $17,900 | $13,400 | −6% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $8,550 – $17,200 | $12,900 | −10% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $8,000 – $16,100 | $12,000 | −16% |
Cities with a workforce like San Francisco's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Francisco against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $7,350 – $14,700 | $11,000 | −23% |
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $8,600 – $17,200 | $12,900 | −10% |
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $8,400 – $16,900 | $12,600 | −12% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $8,500 – $17,000 | $12,700 | −11% |
When to schedule wood deck in San Francisco
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for San Francisco Dwtn (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for exterior installation in San Francisco: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average daytime high under 45°F) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
San Francisco gets about 23 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (4.8 inches in December). The station averages about 3 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58 | 47 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 60 | 48 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 62 | 49 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 63 | 50 | 1.6 | Workable |
| May | 64 | 51 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 67 | 53 | 0.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 66 | 54 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 68 | 56 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 70 | 56 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 54 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 64 | 51 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 58 | 47 | 4.8 | Workable |
Cost by quality level and size in San Francisco
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for San Francisco wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$9,500 to $13,300
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$12,400 to $16,200
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$15,300 to $19,100
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,850 – $5,400 | $5,000 – $6,550 | $6,200 – $7,750 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $4,600 – $6,450 | $6,000 – $7,850 | $7,400 – $9,250 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $10,100 – $14,200 | $13,200 – $17,300 | $16,300 – $20,400 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $12,700 – $17,800 | $16,500 – $21,600 | $20,300 – $25,400 |
What nearby projects cost in San Francisco
Because every project leans on different trades, San Francisco's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, composite deck runs +32% and detached garage +27%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $16,000 – $32,000 | +32% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,550 – $5,250 | +30% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,800 – $6,950 | +27% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $36,700 – $73,600 | +27% |
Extras that change the San Francisco total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to San Francisco by the average of the local wage index (1.49) and goods index (1.08), a factor of 1.29. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add stairs (flat) | $1,800 – $3,350 |
Why two San Francisco quotes can differ
Wood species
Pressure-treated pine is the cheapest at $25-$50 per sq ft installed. Ipe runs $50-$70 and bamboo $27-$52 (HomeGuide).
Height and stairs
A second-story deck needs more structure. New stairs run $1,400-$2,600 installed.
Railing
A wood or vinyl railing adds $20-$60 per linear foot.
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $12,400 to $16,200 for San Francisco, CA is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
The report lays out the wood deck numbers for San Francisco, CA line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Wood deck in San Francisco: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in San Francisco?
For 300 sq ft, expect $9,500 to $19,100 in the San Francisco area. A standard-spec job lands at $12,400 to $16,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in San Francisco?
About $31.50 to $63 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $60 to $170 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in San Francisco or Vallejo?
Vallejo is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $13,000, which is 9% less than San Francisco ($14,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Francisco?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $7,350 out of $14,300. Materials are 48% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in San Francisco?
$10,100 to $20,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in San Francisco?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $60 to $170 for fees in the San Francisco area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Francisco expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of California?
San Francisco is 10% above the California statewide estimate ($13,000 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in San Francisco?
The BLS median is $42.89 an hour in the San Francisco area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $30.45 to $48.26.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in San Francisco?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $9,500 to $13,300 and premium work $15,300 to $19,100. Basic means: pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle. Premium means: hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features.
+Is there a bad season to build a wood deck in San Francisco?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
+What does "add stairs" add in San Francisco?
$1,800 to $3,350, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near San Francisco
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Composite Decking Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020