Cedar or composite — which is better here?

Cedar costs less up front and looks beautifully local, but in Western Washington's wet climate it demands cleaning and re-sealing every year or two. Composite costs more on day one and then mostly ignores the rain. Over a 15-year life, composite usually wins the total-cost math; cedar wins on budget and feel.

Do I need a permit to build a deck?

Usually, yes. Most Washington cities require permits for decks above roughly 30 inches over grade, attached to the house, or covered — and railings, footings and ledger attachment are exactly the details inspectors check. We handle deck permits like every other permit: as part of the job.

When is the best time to build a deck?

Book in fall or winter, build in late winter or spring. Summer is when everyone calls, so lead times stretch and premium slots vanish. Footings and framing don't mind cool weather, and a deck finished in April is a deck you use all summer.

Field Notes · August 22, 2026 · 6 min read

How Much Does a Deck Cost in the Seattle Area?

What a new deck costs around Seattle in 2026: cedar vs. composite per square foot, covered decks for our climate, permit rules, and why winter is the smart time to book.

Exterior craftsmanship on a Seattle-area home by ENF General Contracting

“How much does a deck cost” is the top deck question Washington homeowners ask Google — and searches for deck builders are breaking out across the state. Here are the real Seattle-area numbers, the cedar-versus-composite decision, and the one climate upgrade that changes how much you actually use it.

The numbers

Cedar ($40–$75/sq ft installed). The Northwest classic: local material, warm underfoot, takes stain beautifully. The catch is maintenance — in our climate, plan on cleaning and re-sealing every year or two, forever.
Composite ($60–$110/sq ft). Costs more up front, then mostly ignores the rain: no sealing, no splinters, color that stays put. Over a fifteen-year life the total-cost math usually favors it here.
Covered decks and patios ($25k–$60k+ all-in). Roof structure, posts, often skylights or heaters. In a region that drizzles eight months a year, cover is the difference between a deck you use in July and one you use in February.

So a mid-size 300 sq ft deck realistically lands $15k–$30k, with height, railing choice and stairs moving the number as much as the decking itself.

What actually drives deck price

Decking is the visible cost; structure is the real one. Height — a deck three feet up needs engineered footings and guardrails a ground-hugger doesn’t. Slope — Seattle-area lots drop away fast, and tall posts with proper footings are where budgets grow. Railing — cable and glass systems can cost as much per foot as the deck under them. The ledger — where the deck bolts to the house is the detail that fails in every deck-collapse story, and it’s the first thing inspectors and our crew both check.

The permit part

Most cities in our area require permits for decks above ~30 inches, attached to the house, or covered. It’s a straightforward permit as these things go — and like every other permit, we pull it as part of the job. Unpermitted decks surface at exactly the wrong moment: inspection time, when you sell.

The timing trick nobody uses

Everyone calls a deck builder in May. Book in fall or winter instead: schedules are open, and footings and framing pour and frame just fine in cool weather. A deck finished in April gives you the whole summer — and it’s the same logic as every seasonal trade: the smart money books the off-season. (If you’re weighing whether the project pays back, the ROI guide has the honest answer: outdoor living returns well here precisely because covered outdoor space is usable most of the year.)

Get a number for your yard

Slope, height and railing decide your deck’s real price — which takes a tape measure, not a calculator. The free estimate covers the design conversation, the engineering realities of your lot, and a written number for cedar and composite both.

Price your deck →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a deck cost in the Seattle area?: In 2026, a professionally built cedar deck typically runs $40–$75 per square foot installed; composite runs $60–$110. A mid-size 300 sq ft deck lands roughly $15k–$30k depending on material, height and railing. Covered decks add structure and roofing — commonly $25k–$60k+ all-in.
Cedar or composite — which is better here?: Cedar costs less up front and looks beautifully local, but in Western Washington's wet climate it demands cleaning and re-sealing every year or two. Composite costs more on day one and then mostly ignores the rain. Over a 15-year life, composite usually wins the total-cost math; cedar wins on budget and feel.
Do I need a permit to build a deck?: Usually, yes. Most Washington cities require permits for decks above roughly 30 inches over grade, attached to the house, or covered — and railings, footings and ledger attachment are exactly the details inspectors check. We handle deck permits like every other permit: as part of the job.
When is the best time to build a deck?: Book in fall or winter, build in late winter or spring. Summer is when everyone calls, so lead times stretch and premium slots vanish. Footings and framing don't mind cool weather, and a deck finished in April is a deck you use all summer.

Written by

Eduard — Owner & General Contractor

Eduard owns ENF General Contracting and has built and remodeled homes across Everett, Seattle & the Eastside for over a decade. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. He runs every ENF project personally — and writes these guides from the job site. More about Eduard · (425) 217-9921