Price per square foot by material
| Material | Per sq ft, built |
|---|---|
| Pressure treated | $30–$65 |
| Cedar | $45–$80 |
| Composite | $55–$95 |
| PVC | $65–$95 |
| Ipe and other hardwoods | $80–$120 |
Two Ontario builders published overlapping but not identical ranges this year, which is normal: one prices simple ground-level work, the other includes raised structures. Where your project sits in the range depends far more on the frame than the finish.
Typical totals by size
| Size | Area | Typical total |
|---|---|---|
| 12×16 | 192 sq ft | $7,000–$18,200 |
| 14×20 | 280 sq ft | $12,600–$26,600 |
| 20×20 | 400 sq ft | $18,000–$38,000 |
What adds to the price
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Frost footings | $150–$300 each, typically 6 to 12 needed |
| Raised deck | adds $2,000–$5,000 |
| Second-storey deck | adds $5,000–$15,000 |
| Wood railing | $40–$120 per linear foot |
| Glass railing | $180–$300 per linear foot |
| One flight of stairs | $400–$800 in labour |
| Removing the old deck | $500–$2,500 |
| Permit | $150–$600 by municipality |
Glass railing deserves its own warning. At $180 to $300 per linear foot it can add more than ten thousand dollars to a mid-sized deck — more than the difference between pressure treated and composite decking across the whole surface.
Do I need a permit for a deck in Ontario?
In most municipalities, yes if the deck is more than 24 inches above grade, and yes if it is attached to the house. A low floating deck under that height is often exempt — but “often” is doing real work in that sentence, because the rules are municipal and they differ.
Frost footings are the reason a deck permit exists. Ontario ground moves as it freezes and thaws, and a deck on shallow piers lifts, twists and eventually pulls away from the house. That inspection is checking the thing you cannot see once the deck is built.
Our permit guide covers who applies and what happens at inspection.
Pressure treated, cedar or composite?
- Pressure treated is the cheapest and the most common. It needs cleaning and re-staining every few years, and it looks its age.
- Cedar costs more, looks better, and still wants maintenance. It weathers to grey unless you keep after it.
- Composite costs the most up front and asks very little afterwards: no staining, no splinters. It gets hot in direct sun, and cheaper composite boards fade.
A useful way to decide: composite is bought by people who do not want a Saturday job every spring, and that is a legitimate reason to spend the money. Just do not expect it to be maintenance-free — it still needs washing.
Red flags in a deck quote
| What you see | Why it matters | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No footing detail | Footing depth and count is the structure; everything else is finish | Ask how many footings, how deep, and whether a permit and inspection are included |
| Permit described as unnecessary without checking | Height and attachment decide it, and the rule is municipal | Ask the contractor which municipal rule they are relying on, then confirm it yourself |
| Railing not itemised | Glass railing can cost more than the entire deck surface | Ask for railing as a separate line, priced per linear foot |
| Ledger attachment not described | A badly flashed ledger board is how attached decks collapse and how walls rot | Ask how the deck attaches to the house and how the ledger is flashed |
| Spring booking with a large deposit | Deck season is short and busy; deposits taken in March for June work carry real risk | Keep the deposit at 10% and tie the next payment to materials arriving |
| No mention of old deck removal | Demolition and disposal runs $500 to $2,500 and often appears later | Confirm in writing who removes and disposes of the old structure |
Frequently asked questions
Keep it low to the ground, keep it rectangular, use pressure treated lumber and keep railings simple. Height, complex shapes and glass railings are where deck budgets actually go.
A straightforward ground-level deck is usually a few days once materials arrive. Raised decks with stairs and railings take a week or more, and permit review adds time before any of it starts.
Typically six to twelve at $150 to $300 each, depending on size, height and framing. Ontario footings must reach below the frost line, which is what the building inspection is checking.
Most municipalities require a permit for decks more than 24 inches above grade and for any deck attached to the house. Low floating decks below that height are often exempt, but the rule is municipal so confirm with your city.
It costs the most up front and removes the annual staining. It also gets hot in direct sun and cheaper boards fade. If avoiding maintenance is worth money to you, it is a reasonable trade.
Pressure treated runs $30 to $65 per square foot built, cedar $45 to $80 and composite $55 to $95. A 12×16 deck typically costs $7,000 to $18,200 depending on material and how high it sits.
Sources
- local.click, Deck cost per square foot in Ontario, 2026 — local.click
- Decks for Life, How much does a deck cost in Toronto in 2026, updated 13 April 2026 — decksforlife.ca
- Government of Ontario, Your rights when starting home renovations or repairs — ontario.ca, checked 18 September 2026
Prices are published builder ranges collected on 18 September 2026, not quotes. Permit rules are municipal — confirm with your city.
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