Free deck estimate template
Priced the way decks are actually sold — size and height measured, footings counted, framing on its own lines, decking by the square foot, railing by the linear foot, and every buried surprise handled in writing.
In short
A deck estimate is built from measured size and height: square footage for the deck surface, linear feet for railing and skirting. Footings are counted by span and frost depth, framing lumber is priced by joist size and spacing, decking is converted to square footage with a waste factor, railing is priced by the linear foot, and stairs are priced per set. It should state the footing depth, ledger and flashing scope, permit responsibility, and exclusions for house-wall repair and buried obstructions. The template below covers all of that and is free to print or copy.
The deck template
A worked 12' x 16' composite deck replacement with railing and stairs is filled in as an example. Swap in your own dimensions, materials and local prices.
[Your Business Name]
[Street address, city, state ZIP]
[Phone] · [Email]
License #: ____________
Estimate
Estimate #: ____________
Date: ____________
Valid until: ____________
Prepared for
Name: ____________________
Phone: ___________________
Email: ___________________
Job location
Address: _________________
City / State / ZIP: ________
Start date: ______________
Scope of work — Composite deck replacement — 12' x 16' with railing and stairs
- •Layout and utility locate; protect lawn and access route
- •Demo existing 10' x 12' deck and haul all debris off site
- •Excavate and pour six 36" concrete footings with inspection
- •Set 6x6 posts, beams and 2x10 joist framing at 16" o.c.
- •Install new ledger with flashing tape where required
- •Install composite decking with picture-frame border and hidden fasteners
- •Install black aluminum baluster railing, approx. 52 linear ft
- •Build one 4' wide stair set with matching railing
- •Final walkthrough, clean site and haul all debris
Labor
Demolition of existing deck and haul-away
Footing excavation, pour and inspection
Framing — posts, beams, joists and ledger
Decking install with picture-frame border
Railing install, incl. stair railing
Stair set build, 4 ft wide
Materials
Concrete, 80 lb bag (footings)
6x6 pressure-treated post, 8 ft
2x10 pressure-treated joist lumber
Composite deck boards (192 sq ft + 15% waste)
Hidden fastener kit with screws
Aluminum baluster railing kits, 6 ft
Joist hangers, post bases and structural screws
Ledger flashing tape and membrane
- Subtotal
- $11,002.32
- Sales tax
- $241.99
- Total
- $11,244.31
Not included
- •Repair of rotten sheathing or house wall behind the ledger — billed at $85.00 per hour plus material
- •Buried obstructions at footing locations — rock excavation billed at $145.00 per hour
- •Electrical work, deck lighting or outlet relocation of any kind
- •Landscaping, lawn repair or regrading beyond the immediate work area
- •Pergolas, skirting, lattice or under-deck drainage unless listed above
- •Permit fees beyond one building permit and standard inspections, billed at cost
Terms
- •One third deposit to schedule and order material; balance due on completion
- •Estimate valid for 30 days from the date above
- •Work scheduled subject to weather and inspection timing; dates are estimates
- •Composite decking carries the manufacturer's warranty; registration by customer
- •Five-year workmanship warranty on framing, footings and railing attachment
- •Changes to scope are priced by written change order
Customer signature / date
Contractor signature / date
Or skip the typing entirely
A blank template still means an hour at the kitchen table. With QuickBidAI you talk through the deck building job into your phone while you're still standing in it, and a filled-in estimate — scope, labor, materials, exclusions, terms — comes back in under a minute. You set every price before it goes out.
How to price a deck
Measure size and height before you price anything
Square feet for the deck surface, height off grade for posts and stairs, linear feet for railing and skirting. Sketch it on your phone with dimensions — every quantity below comes off those numbers.
Count footings by span and frost depth
Footing count comes from beam and joist spans; depth comes from your local frost line. Price excavation, concrete and inspection per footing so a deep frost line doesn't eat your margin.
Keep framing lumber on its own lines
Posts, beams, joists, ledger and blocking as separate material lines, with joist hangers, structural screws and post bases as hardware. It shows the homeowner why a deck costs more than decking costs.
Convert decking to square footage with waste
Add about 10% waste for straight runs and 15% for diagonal or picture-frame patterns. Composite and PVC run two to three times the material cost of pressure-treated — state the brand in the scope.
Price railing by the linear foot, stairs per set
Measure the perimeter, don't guess it. Corners, stair railing and gates are adders. A stair set off a tall deck with a landing is a different job than one off a low deck — price per set.
Say who handles the permit and the ledger
Permit fees, inspections, ledger flashing and house-wall repair. If the existing ledger is rotten or unflashed, price the fix or exclude it in writing — never absorb it into a deck price.
Deck lines that get left off
Demolition and disposal
Tearing out the old deck, hauling the lumber and dump fees for old pressure-treated material. Price it as its own line with the tonnage stated.
Hardware and fasteners
Joist hangers, post bases, structural screws, hidden fasteners and flashing tape add up to hundreds on a mid-size deck. List them or they come out of your pocket.
Access and hand-carrying
A narrow gate or no machine access can add a full day of carrying material. State the access you priced and what a change costs.
Ledger and house-wall repair
Rotten sheathing, missing flashing and siding repair behind the ledger. A stated unit price or exclusion beats an awkward conversation on day two.