Wood deck cost in Denver, CO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $7,800 – $15,700
- Per sq ft
- $26 – $51.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #59
- 1 = most expensive
A wood deck in Denver, CO usually costs $7,800 to $15,700 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $26 to $51.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $380 more. Carpenters earn a median of $31.21 an hour in the Denver area, 7% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Denver, CO, standard level
$10,200 to $13,300
About $33.50 to $44 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 45% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,500 | $7,200 |
| Labor | $4,550 | $5,950 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $130 |
| Total | $10,200 | $13,300 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Denver, CO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,250 | $6,350 | $8,500 | 54% |
| Labor | $3,500 | $5,250 | $7,000 | 45% |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $110 | $160 | 1% |
| Total | $7,800 | $11,700 | $15,700 | 100% |
What is behind the Denver number
Labor is 45% 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 Denver the blended ratio comes out at 1.06.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Denver is at 101.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,300 nationally becomes $6,350 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 105.8: $55 to $160.
Specs and site conditions that change a Denver bid
Permit
Deck permits average $50-$150. Many cities skip the permit for small, low, freestanding decks.
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.
What local crews earn in Denver
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Denver the blend is 1.06.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $31.21 an hour, 7% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $27.70 and $36.14 an hour. About 7,250 work in the metro. That is 45.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $23.44 an hour, which is 3% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.48 and $27.44 an hour. BLS counts 9,650 of them working in the area, 60.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $670 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $480. That is a swing of roughly 4.1% to 5.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Denver-Aurora-Centennial has 1,609,350 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 17th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $27.70 | $31.21 | $36.14 | $29.12 | 1.07 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.48 | $23.44 | $27.44 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.06 | |||||
Denver weather and the wood deck calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Denver-Stapleton (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Denver are August through June: 11 of 12. Outside them, July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Denver gets about 15 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 49 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, July and August (2.3 inches in May). Inside the workable window, January and December are the driest, at 0.5 and 0.5 inches. The station averages about 42 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47 | 18 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Feb | 48 | 19 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 56 | 27 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 63 | 34 | 1.7 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 43 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 53 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 59 | 2.1 | Hot |
| Aug | 88 | 57 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 48 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 67 | 36 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 55 | 26 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 46 | 18 | 0.5 | Workable |
Denver: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Denver. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 10x12 (120 sq ft) to 20x20 (400 sq ft).
Basic
$7,800 to $10,900
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$10,200 to $13,300
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$12,500 to $15,700
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,150 – $4,450 | $4,100 – $5,400 | $5,100 – $6,350 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,750 – $5,300 | $4,900 – $6,450 | $6,050 – $7,600 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $8,300 – $11,700 | $10,800 – $14,200 | $13,300 – $16,700 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $10,400 – $14,600 | $13,500 – $17,700 | $16,700 – $20,800 |
Planning more than one job in Denver?
Jobs that often go together with wood deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Denver wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+8%) and detached garage lowest (+3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $12,600 – $25,200 | +4% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,200 | +4% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,850 | +8% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $29,900 – $59,900 | +3% |
How Denver compares
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Denver. Pueblo is the lowest at about $10,800 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 90 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, COthis page | $7,800 – $15,700 | $11,700 | |
| Colorado Springs, CO45 miles | $7,250 – $14,500 | $10,900 | −7% |
| Boulder, CO55 miles | $7,350 – $14,800 | $11,100 | −6% |
| Greeley, CO80 miles | $7,250 – $14,600 | $10,900 | −7% |
| Fort Collins, CO90 miles | $7,300 – $14,600 | $11,000 | −7% |
| Pueblo, CO90 miles | $7,150 – $14,400 | $10,800 | −8% |
| Colorado (statewide) | $7,600 – $15,300 | $11,400 | −3% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Denver ranks #59 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Denver is 3% above the Colorado figure.
Elsewhere in Colorado
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs, CO | 316,060 jobs | $7,250 – $14,500 | $10,900 | −7% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $7,350 – $14,800 | $11,100 | −6% |
| Fort Collins, CO | 169,430 jobs | $7,300 – $14,600 | $11,000 | −7% |
| Greeley, CO | 119,540 jobs | $7,250 – $14,600 | $10,900 | −7% |
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $7,350 – $14,700 | $11,000 | −6% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $7,150 – $14,400 | $10,800 | −8% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Denver against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $8,250 – $16,500 | $12,400 | +6% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $8,600 – $17,200 | $12,900 | +10% |
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $7,850 – $15,800 | $11,800 | +1% |
| Tampa, FL | 1,447,120 jobs | $6,950 – $13,900 | $10,400 | −11% |
Add-ons priced for Denver
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.04 for Denver, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.06) and goods price index (1.01). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add stairs (flat) | $1,450 – $2,700 |
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 $10,200 to $13,300 for Denver, CO is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Denver, CO: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. 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 Denver: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Denver?
For 300 sq ft, expect $7,800 to $15,700 in the Denver area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,200 to $13,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Denver?
About $26 to $51.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $55 to $160 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in Denver or Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $10,900, which is 7% less than Denver ($11,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Denver?
About 45% at the midpoint, or $5,250 out of $11,700. Materials are 54% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Denver?
$8,300 to $16,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Denver?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $55 to $160 for fees in the Denver area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Denver expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Colorado?
Denver is 3% above the Colorado statewide estimate ($11,400 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Colorado; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Denver?
The BLS median is $31.21 an hour in the Denver area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.70 to $36.14.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Denver?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $7,800 to $10,900 and premium work $12,500 to $15,700. Basic means: pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle. Premium means: hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features.
+When is the best time to build a wood deck in Denver?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are August through June. January and December are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "add stairs" add in Denver?
$1,450 to $2,700, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Denver
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