Short answer: most professionally built decks in El Dorado County land somewhere between $25 and $50 per square foot for wood and $40 and $75 or more per square foot for composite, installed. A typical 12×16 foot deck (192 sq ft) works out to roughly $5,000–$10,000 in wood and $7,500–$14,500 in composite. Hillside lots, tall posts, premium railings and stairs push the number up; a simple ground-level rectangle pulls it down.
Those are planning ranges, not quotes. Below we break down what actually moves the price of a deck in Placerville and the surrounding foothills, so you can read an estimate line by line and know where your money is going.
Deck Cost per Square Foot in 2026
Square footage is the starting point, but it is a blunt tool. Two decks of the same size can be thousands of dollars apart once slope, height and railing are factored in. As a first pass for budgeting, this is how the common materials compare installed, including framing, footings and labor:
| Decking material | Installed cost per sq ft | 12×16 deck (192 sq ft) | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $25–$40 | $4,800–$7,700 | Seal or stain every 2–3 years |
| Redwood or cedar | $35–$55 | $6,700–$10,600 | Seal or stain every 1–2 years |
| Composite (Trex and similar) | $40–$75+ | $7,700–$14,400+ | Wash once or twice a year |
The railing, stairs and any cover are usually priced on top of the deck surface, which is why we list them separately below.
What Drives the Cost of a Deck in El Dorado County
1. Your lot: slope, height and soil
This is the factor people underestimate most. Much of the county sits on slopes, and a deck that is two feet off the ground at the house can be ten feet up at the far edge. Taller posts need bigger footings, more bracing and sometimes an engineer’s sign-off. Rocky or clay soil changes how the footings are dug. On a flat lot in Cameron Park, the structure underneath is a modest share of the price; on a hillside in Pollock Pines it can be the largest one.
2. Size and shape
Larger decks cost more in total but often less per square foot, because setup, permits and design are spread across more area. Shape works the other way: angles, curves, picture-frame borders and multiple levels all add cutting and framing time.
3. Decking material
Wood is cheaper on day one. Composite costs more up front and very little afterwards, which is why most of what we build is Trex. If you are weighing the two, our composite vs. wood decking guide compares them for foothill weather and fire season.
4. Railings and stairs
Any deck more than 30 inches above grade needs a guard rail by code, and railing is priced by the linear foot. Wood railing is the least expensive; aluminum and cable railing cost more but keep the view open and need almost no maintenance. Every set of stairs adds stringers, treads, a landing and usually another run of railing.
5. Permits, plans and fire requirements
Most decks need a permit, plans and inspections, and much of the county falls inside a designated Fire Hazard Severity Zone, which can limit the materials allowed close to the house. We cover the details in do you need a permit to build a deck in El Dorado County. Fees vary by project and jurisdiction, so they belong in the estimate as their own line.
6. Removing an old deck
Demolition and haul-away of an existing deck is a real line item. If the old ledger board was not flashed properly, there may also be rot in the house rim joist to repair before anything new goes on.
7. Extras
- Built-in lighting on stairs and posts
- A pergola or a solid patio cover
- Skirting or lattice to close in the space underneath
- Built-in benches and planters
- Hidden fasteners for a clean, screw-free surface
Repair, Resurface or Replace?
Not every tired deck needs to come down. If the framing and footings are sound, resurfacing, meaning new decking and railing on the existing structure, can cost noticeably less than a full rebuild. If joists are soft, the ledger is rotting or the footings have moved, replacing the structure is the safer and usually the cheaper long-term answer. A good contractor will probe the framing before quoting either.
How to Get the Most Deck for Your Budget
- Keep the shape simple. A rectangle with one set of stairs is the most efficient build.
- Size to standard board lengths. Decking comes in 12, 16 and 20 foot lengths; a deck sized to them wastes less material.
- Spend on the structure first. Footings, framing and a flashed ledger are what make a deck last. Upgrades like lighting can be added later; the framing cannot.
- Compare total cost, not day-one cost. Ten years of staining a wood deck can close much of the price gap with composite.
- Book early. Spring and summer fill up fast in the foothills. Planning over winter gives time for design and permits before the building season.
What a Good Deck Estimate Should Include
When you compare quotes, make sure each one spells out:
- Decking brand, line and color
- Footing type, count and depth, and the framing lumber
- How the ledger attaches to the house and how it is flashed
- Railing type and total linear feet
- Stairs, landings and any lighting
- Permits, plans and inspections
- Demolition and disposal of the old deck
- Clean-up and the workmanship warranty
A quote that is just a square-foot number and a total leaves too much room for surprises. Ours list every line with a price beside it, and you can check any California contractor’s license on the Contractors State License Board website before you sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 12×12 deck cost?
A 12×12 deck is 144 square feet. Using the ranges above, that is roughly $3,600–$7,200 in pressure-treated wood and $5,800–$10,800 in composite, before railing upgrades, stairs or a difficult slope.
Is a composite deck worth the extra cost?
For most homeowners who plan to stay put, yes. Composite does not need sanding or staining, will not splinter, and comes with long manufacturer warranties. Over ten to fifteen years the maintenance you skip often makes up much of the difference in price.
How long does it take to build a deck?
Most residential decks take one to three weeks on site once permits are issued. Large, multi-level or hillside decks take longer, and permit review adds time before work starts.
Does a new deck add value to my home?
A well-built deck adds usable outdoor living space, which buyers in the foothills value highly. A permitted deck also avoids the problems an unpermitted structure can cause when you sell.
Get a Free Deck Estimate in El Dorado County
Cademartori Construction is a licensed, Trex Platinum certified deck builder in Placerville with more than 20 years of building across El Dorado County, from Placerville and Camino to Cameron Park and El Dorado Hills. We pull the permit, handle the inspections and give you a written estimate with every line priced. Request your free estimate or call (530) 306-0115.
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