The average labor rate to build a deck is around $35 per square foot. There are additional costs depending on materials selected.
Warm weather entices us to think “outdoors.” The trend in creating outdoor living spaces has steadily increased throughout the years.
Trellises, arbors, pergolas, decks, porches and gazebos create great outdoor spaces allowing us to share tranquil time in nature with family and friends.
In fact, a well-planned outdoor space can increase curb appeal and add to the resale value of your home.
Start by researching the possibilities.
To help get you started, here are some essential things you need to know about selecting the type of structure and how much each stands to cost.
Don’t forget to use an experienced and reputable contractor for your new space.
Different words may describe similar structures most commonly used for outdoor spaces.
It’s helpful to know what is what.
• Pergolas may be used to cover a walkway or to provide filtered shade;
• Gazebos are usually octagonal structures with solid, pitched roofs and open sides providing full shade while not obstructing views;
• Pavilions (ramads) provide full shade and rain protection often used to cover outdoor kitchens or fireplaces;
• Arbors are usually arches over a path or gate;
• Trellises are sections of lattice work used for climbing vines;
• Decks are platforms without a roof usually attached to a house;
• Patios are paved areas on the ground, which can either be attached or detached from a house; and
• Porch, (veranda, portico, loggia) is a roofed structure, projecting from the front of a building used to protect the entrance.
The second consideration is cost.
The Home Advisor’s True Cost Guide provides the average cost of each structure. As with all structures, the cost will depend on size, materials, labor and location.
Building a deck in Annapolis may not cost the same as in Denton.
“If you are building a structure that will be outdoors, I highly recommend using the best materials — wind, rain, snow, ice and sun are very destructive elements. The initial cost needs to be weighed against longevity,” advises Frank D. Caramanica, an Easton architect. “We built a pergola for CaraMarc Park off Route 50 in Easton using quality cedar. Other than staining, nothing else has had to be done and it has held up very well since 2008. Remember, you do get what you pay for.”
A 10-by-10 pergola using good quality cedar may run $3,000 for materials.
According to Home Advisor’s True Cost Guide, the average cost to build a gazebo is $6,471.
An 8-by-8 gazebo would cost between $1,500 and $5,300.
Gazebos can be made of wood, metal, brick or synthetic materials such as vinyl.
• Wood – $4,000 to $7,000;
• Metal – $3,000 to $8,500;
• Brick – $2,000 to $3,500; and
• Vinyl – $4,000 to $7,500.
For patios the size and paving materials selected will determine cost.
Depending on these elements, the cost of a patio can range from $800 to $4,000-plus. Concrete is $6-$17 per square foot; brick $8-$12; pavers $10-$12 and flagstone $15 to $30. The average cost is about $16,000.
The average labor rate to build a deck is around $35 per square foot.
There are additional costs depending on materials selected.
There are three main options when it comes to choosing the building material for your deck.
• Composite decking is made of recycled materials, including hard plastic and wood. It requires little maintenance and will cost $35 a square foot;
• Natural wood is less expensive but requires ongoing weatherproofing and sealing. which costs an average of $7.75 per square foot; and
• Pressure-treated wood is usually the most economical. The disadvantage is that the chemicals used to treat it pose a potential health risk if the deck is not properly sealed and maintained.
Painting, staining, sealing or waterproofing, stairs or balustrades and railings are all additional expenses by your contractor.
The more you add, the higher the cost.
According to Jeannie Matteucci, freelance writer for HGTV, porches may vary greatly and no two are the same therefore the cost to upgrade an existing porch or add a new one varies greatly.
“Costs depend on factors like size and complexity, and vary region to region. A small and basic do-it-yourself porch project can cost about $5,000 to $10,000, but the budget for even a small porch project can go up quickly when lots of extras are included,” Matteucci writes. “Things like lighting, hardware, architectural details and furniture add to the basic cost of the project.
“A major extra, like a large fireplace, can really drive up the cost of a porch, since it involves more materials and labor — and may require an upgraded foundation.”
The rewards of creating these spaces make the work well worthwhile.
Outdoor spaces can be decorated, restyled and renovated to each trend and personal style.
