Decking Cost - Composite Lumber - Trex (new home, construction)

[mj1983_5541]

I am a new homeowner in the Lehigh Valley and am in the process of gathering quotes for a deck project. Wanted to see if I could gauge reaction to the price range that I'm seeing which seems high to me. A few details -- the deck will be built from scratch (not a rebuild) and will use composite lumber (most likely Trex), will be approx 600 sqft of space with a wrap around walk-way, lighting and dry-space underneath the main area, deck will be about 10 ft from the ground level with a straight staircase.

The price range I'm getting quoted at is between 32,000 - 36,000. Based on my research online (multiple forums and price calculators), this seems to be anywhere from 8,000 - 10,000 overpriced.

Any thoughts from anyone whose had a similar deck project?

[North Beach Person]

I can't directly comment on your price other than to say that composite (TREX or another brand) will be 2 1/2 to 3 times the cost of comparable amount of wood. Is the entire structure composite or just the decking and railing? Using wooden posts, stringers/joists and composite on the decking and rails only is the most common application.


The construction using composite is also a bit different, stringers/joists have to be spaced closer than when using wood for the deck, so you'll have more material and labor.


That's a big deck.

[mj1983_5541]

Only the deck and railing will be Trex. Structure will be pressure treated wood.

[blazerj]

Originally Posted by mj1983_5541

Only the deck and railing will be Trex. Structure will be pressure treated wood.

We did the same thing 2 years ago (Pressure treated lumber for structure) and used Azek instead of Trex (our railing was another product because the Azek railing was really expensive). Our deck is about 13' off the ground and we have a staircase with a landing in the middle. I believe our cost was about $35K.

Before our deck was built, I went to Lowes and had them price out the project using the Trex they sell and for materials, my contractor's cost of materials was about the same as Lowe's. I didn't go through with the estimate of labor, but I have used the 2 guys who built the deck in the past and know they are very fair (and very good).