How Much Does It Cost to Have a Deck Built in Hunterdon County, New Jersey?
2024
Contributed by: Louie Martini
Hunterdon County, New Jersey homeowners can expect a new deck build to cost between $50-$75 per square foot on average when they hire a professional deck building contractor.
Decks are a fantastic extension of indoor living space. Not only do they typically increase property value, they also serve a hybrid function for outdoor relaxation and entertaining friends and family. They truly are a part of the home where great memories are made.
Like most home improvement projects, there are a number of factors that contribute to the pricing of a new deck build. Site conditions, material selections and overall dimensions play a major role in what you can expect to invest in your deck build. We’ll cover more about each of these factors below!
Composite deck and railing build in a serene wooded backyard. (Photo courtesy of Bare Hands Construction LLC.)
1. Site Conditions: If you’re wondering how much the condition of your property plays a role in the cost of your new deck, you may be surprised to learn that it matters quite a bit. Is your yard flat or on the side of a hill? Is your soil soft and easily excavated or is it full of rocks? How about the distance from your driveway to the proposed new deck location? You may not have considered these questions as key factors in the price of your new deck, but from the perspective of your deck builder, every detail matters. From accessibility to soil type, the degree of difficulty as it relates to the building process is affected by the geography of your property and accessibility for installers, equipment and material deliveries.
2. Material Selections: This one is more of a no brainer when it comes to playing a determining factor in the cost of your new deck. Decking and railing materials are the two big ticket decisions to be made, with skirting and lattice options not far behind. On the budget friendly end of the spectrum is pressure treated pine which is more of a classic style lumber decking/railing material. For a relatively low maintenance option, more and more New Jersey homeowners are taking composite decking and railing materials into consideration. A composite manufacturer like Trex has been an industry leader for several decades for good reason. The projected lifespan and warranties backing its decking and railing systems help to justify an increased upfront investment. You can expect at least a 25 year residential product warranty and an occasional power wash to keep it all looking clean, but be prepared to spend quite a bit more in comparison to pressure treated materials.
3. Deck Dimensions: You guessed it. The more square footage you’d like for your deck to cover, the more it’ll likely cost. Due to increased materials and labor to build a substructure and install decking, railings and finishes, a bigger deck means a higher price tag regardless of the selected materials.
There you have it, three of the most common factors that play a role in the cost of professionally built New Jersey decks. This, of course, is not a comprehensive list of all factors that go into pricing. Things like time of year (seasonal weather over here in New Jersey), layout (Second story deck 10 feet off the ground? Or platform deck resting on footers?) and municipal permitting fees are among the many aspects that get factored in. All that being said, New Jersey homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $50-$75 per square foot for a professionally installed deck built by a licensed contractor. For a long term investment that also doubles as a place to enjoy the outdoors, having a deck built is one of the best improvements homeowners can choose to make to their properties.
*Thank you for visiting the BHC Blog. Feel free to send me a message with any questions you may have regarding this article.*
