This deck cost calculator estimates the installed price of a backyard deck in Canada (low, typical and high, before tax) from its area, decking material, railing, stairs and footings. Reference case, data reviewed in November 2026: a 240 sq ft pressure-treated deck with about 25 linear feet of railing, stairs and helical piles costs about $16,900 before tax in Quebec ($12,100 to $23,800), $18,300 in Ontario, $20,200 in British Columbia and $18,600 in Alberta. Prices currently cover: Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. The detailed budget is emailed to you as a PDF.
To receive your detailed budget, use the "Send this budget by email (PDF)" form on renoclair.ca.
Free independent toolBefore tax. With tax (typical):
Cost breakdown (typical)
| Item | Estimated amount |
|---|
Typical deck costs by province (before tax)
| 240 sq ft deck with railing, stairs and piles | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec : pressure-treated wood | $12,100 | $16,900 | $23,800 |
| Quebec : western red cedar | $15,400 | $21,700 | $29,800 |
| Quebec : composite / PVC | $17,100 | $23,100 | $30,800 |
| Ontario : pressure-treated wood | $12,900 | $18,300 | $25,700 |
| Ontario : western red cedar | $16,700 | $23,100 | $31,700 |
| Ontario : composite / PVC | $18,200 | $24,600 | $32,400 |
| British Columbia : pressure-treated wood | $14,100 | $20,200 | $28,200 |
| British Columbia : western red cedar | $17,400 | $24,500 | $34,000 |
| British Columbia : composite / PVC | $19,800 | $26,900 | $35,400 |
| Alberta : pressure-treated wood | $13,000 | $18,600 | $26,100 |
| Alberta : western red cedar | $16,800 | $23,400 | $32,300 |
| Alberta : composite / PVC | $18,500 | $25,300 | $33,300 |
Before tax, November 2026. Each row uses the same rates as the calculator above, so the table and the calculator always give the same amounts.
Rates used by the calculator
| Province | Pressure-treated (per sq ft) | Cedar (per sq ft) | Composite (per sq ft) | Railing (per lin. ft) | Helical piles (lump sum) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $48.00 | $68.00 | $74.00 | $85 | $1,750 |
| Ontario | $52.00 | $72.00 | $78.00 | $92 | $1,900 |
| British Columbia | $58.00 | $76.00 | $86.00 | $100 | $2,000 |
| Alberta | $52.00 | $72.00 | $80.00 | $95 | $2,100 |
Typical values, installed, before tax. The low and high values are in the calculator and the PDF.
What is included and what is not
- Included: framing, joists, hangers, ledger flashing and decking
- Included: installation labour and site clean-up
- Options: guardrail (priced per linear foot), stairs with a landing, and helical piles or frost-depth footings
- Not included: permit fees, demolition of an old deck, pergolas, roofs, hot tub framing and landscaping
How the deck cost calculator calculates your estimate
The calculator multiplies the deck area by an installed rate per square foot for the chosen material and province. If you add a railing, it estimates the railing length from the deck area (about 1.6 times the square root of the area) and multiplies it by a rate per linear foot. Stairs and piles are added as lump sums. Amounts are rounded to $50 below $10,000 and $100 above.
Rates come from contractor and retailer price guides published in 2026 and cross-checked in at least three independent sources per province where available. Composite rates were lowered in November 2026 after this check. Taxes are shown separately: 14.975% GST + QST in Quebec, 13% HST in Ontario, and 5% GST in British Columbia and Alberta. In BC, the contractor pays the 7% PST on materials and includes it in the price for work that becomes part of the house.
Permits, licences and rules
Most municipalities in Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta require a building permit for a deck attached to the house or more than 24 in. (600 mm) above grade, and a guard is required at that height. Rules vary by city, so check with your municipality before you start. In Quebec, the contractor must hold a Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) licence.
Rebates
No provincial or federal rebate covers a deck in the four provinces (November 2026).
Which provinces are covered?
Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. Choose your province at the top of the calculator: the rates, the sales tax and the notes in the PDF change with it.
Limitations
- This is a planning estimate, not a quote: only a written quote after a site visit gives the price of your project.
- Soil conditions, slope, height above grade and access can change the price a lot.
- The budget is sent as a PDF by email; the page has no print button.
Sources, review date and data version
- Ontario Building Code (Government of Ontario)
- Régie du bâtiment du Québec
- BC building codes (Government of British Columbia)
- GST/HST rates (Canada Revenue Agency)
- Price sources: contractor and retailer price guides published in 2026 (not named on this page); see sources and methodology.
- Data version 2026.Q4-deck-2, reviewed November 13, 2026. Next review: February 2027.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a 240 sq ft deck cost in Canada?
With a pressure-treated frame and decking, railing, stairs and helical piles, about $16,900 before tax in Quebec, $18,300 in Ontario, $20,200 in British Columbia and $18,600 in Alberta (November 2026).
How much does a deck cost per square foot?
Before options, the typical installed rate for pressure-treated wood is $48.00 per sq ft in Quebec and $52.00 in Ontario; composite is $74.00 and $78.00.
Is a composite deck worth the extra cost?
A composite deck costs about 50% more to build than pressure-treated wood but needs no staining or sealing. Over 15 to 25 years, the lower maintenance can offset part of the gap.
Do I need a permit to build a deck?
In most cities, yes if the deck is attached to the house or more than 24 in. (600 mm) above grade. Check with your municipality.
Are helical piles better than concrete footings?
Helical piles are installed quickly, with little digging, and resist frost heave well. Concrete footings below the frost line also work; the best choice depends on soil and access.
How do I get the budget as a PDF?
Run the calculation, enter your email address and accept the consent box: the detailed PDF arrives by email within a few minutes.
When are prices updated?
Every three months. These prices were reviewed in November 2026; the next review is planned for February 2027.