"What will a deck cost me?" It's the first question everyone asks, and any builder who gives you a number over the phone without seeing your yard is guessing. Here's an honest breakdown of what actually drives the price of a new deck in Simcoe County, so you know what you're paying for when the quotes come in.
Size is the biggest factor
This one's obvious but worth saying: a 12x12 platform and a 20x16 entertaining deck with stairs are completely different projects. Most of the cost is materials and labour, and both scale with square footage. Bigger deck, bigger number.
Pressure-treated vs composite
This is the choice that moves the price the most. Pressure-treated lumber costs less up front and looks great stained. Composite costs significantly more for materials, but you never stain it again and it lasts longer. There's no wrong answer, it's budget versus maintenance. I'll tell you which makes sense for your yard, no upsell.
What's underneath matters
A deck built on solid, level ground with easy access is straightforward. A deck on a slope, over a walkout basement, or with tight access for materials and equipment takes more time and more work. If your old deck needs to come off first, that's demo and disposal on top.
Footings: the part you never see
In Simcoe County, footings have to go below the frost line. That means digging, concrete, and time. A deck with six footings and a deck with fourteen footings are different jobs. This is also the part you should never cheap out on. A beautiful deck on bad footings is a problem waiting for spring.
Stairs and railings add up
Every set of stairs is custom carpentry. Railings, especially metal or glass, are a real line item. A simple deck with one set of stairs prices very differently from a multi-level deck with three staircases and glass railings all around. These are the details that separate a basic quote from a real one.
Permits and inspections
Most new decks in our townships need a permit. That's a township fee plus the time to do the drawings and inspections right. Any quote that skips permits entirely is a red flag, not a bargain.
So what should you do?
Get two or three quotes from builders who actually come out and look at your yard. If one quote is way lower than the others, ask what's missing. It's usually the footings, the permit, or the railings.
My quotes are free, and I'll walk you through every line so you know exactly what you're paying for. Get in touch and let's talk about your deck.