The parts for a plain 12x16 pressure treated deck came to $1,289 at the Cedar Park Home Depot on October 31, 2026. Here is the full list, the labor math and the permit fee.
| Wood deck parts | $1,289 |
|---|---|
| Trex Basics deck parts | $1,935 |
| Crew day wages | $363 |
| City permit | $60 to $150 |
The Deck We Priced
We priced one simple deck so the math is easy to follow. It is 12 feet out from the house and 16 feet wide. It bolts to the house on one side and sits on 4 posts on the other. The joists are 2x8s, 16 inches apart. It is low, under 30 inches, with one step down.
Your deck may be bigger, taller or on a slope. Use this as a base line, not a quote.
The Parts List
These are shelf prices at the Home Depot on Whitestone Blvd in Cedar Park, store 6585, checked October 31, 2026. Prices change often. Sales tax is not included.
| Joists, 2x8x12 treated, 13 at $18.18 | $236.34 |
|---|---|
| Ledger and rim, 2x8x16 treated, 2 at $23.38 | $46.76 |
| Beam, 2x10x16 treated, 2 at $34.98 | $69.96 |
| Posts, 6x6x8 treated, 4 at $37.88 | $151.52 |
| Fast-setting footing mix (Quikrete, 50 lb bag), 16 at $7.97 | $127.52 |
| Post bases, Simpson ABA66Z, 4 at $26.27 | $105.08 |
| Joist hangers, Simpson LUS28Z, 26 at $2.83 | $73.58 |
| Ledger screws, LedgerLOK 50 pack, 1 at $46.72 | $46.72 |
| Deck screws, 5 lb box, 2 at $29.97 | $59.94 |
| Frame subtotal | $917.42 |
| Deck boards, 5/4 x 6 x 16 treated, 27 at $13.78 | $372.06 |
| Wood deck parts total | $1,289.48 |
We checked the same items at five other Austin area Home Depot stores that day. The shelf prices matched to the cent.
Boards Change the Bill the Most
The frame is the same for wood or composite. Only the top changes. Composite boards cost more, and they need hidden clips.
| Treated pine boards | $372.06 in boards, $1,289.48 for the whole deck |
|---|---|
| Trex Enhance Basics | 27 at $31.98 plus a $154 clip bucket, $1,934.88 for the whole deck |
| Trex Enhance Naturals | 27 at $37.42 plus a $154 clip bucket, $2,081.76 for the whole deck |
| TimberTech | No shelf price shown at the store on October 31, 2026 |
| Add a rail | 6 treated rail kits at $57.98 and 4 4x4 posts at $10.68, $390.60 |
Cedar Park wants a rail on any deck 30 inches or more off the ground. On a low deck it is your choice. Learn more on our composite deck page.
What Labor Costs in the Austin Area
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks what workers earn in the Austin, Round Rock and San Marcos metro. These are the May 2025 numbers, the newest out on October 31, 2026.
| Carpenter, middle pay | $24.16 an hour |
|---|---|
| Carpenter, low quarter | $23.05 an hour |
| Carpenter, top quarter | $28.01 an hour |
| Construction laborer, middle pay | $21.16 an hour |
| One carpenter and one laborer, 8 hours | $362.56 a day |
We do not know how many days your deck will take until we see the yard. So here is the wage math for a few lengths of job. It is pay only. It is not what a builder charges.
| 4 crew days | $1,450.24 |
|---|---|
| 6 crew days | $2,175.36 |
| 8 crew days | $2,900.48 |
The Permit Fee
The city fee code has no line that says deck. On the accessory structure row a 12x16 deck comes to $60. On the residential remodel row it comes to $150. Ask the permit office which one it uses. Our Cedar Park permit guide has the details.
Putting It Together
Each line below is parts, plus crew wages, plus the permit. It is the floor under a real price, not the price.
| Low, about $2,800 | Treated boards, no rail, 4 crew days, $60 permit. $1,289.48 plus $1,450.24 plus $60. |
|---|---|
| Middle, about $4,651 | Trex Basics, rail, 6 crew days, $150 permit. $1,934.88 plus $390.60 plus $2,175.36 plus $150. |
| High, about $5,523 | Trex Naturals, rail, 8 crew days, $150 permit. $2,081.76 plus $390.60 plus $2,900.48 plus $150. |
Why a Builder Quote Runs Higher
A builder pays for more than wood and wages. There is insurance, the truck, saws and drills, fuel, waste and the time spent on the plan and the permit. Then there is profit. So a fair quote will be well above the lines in the table.
That is fine. What you want is a quote you can read. Ask for the parts, the labor and the permit as separate lines. Then hold it up next to this page. Our hiring guide lists what else to ask.
What Pushes the Price Up in Cedar Park
- Height. At 30 inches and up you need rails, and tall posts need bracing.
- Stairs. Each flight adds stringers, treads and often a landing.
- Rock and slopes. Much of Cedar Park has limestone close to the top. Cutting post holes into rock takes more time and tools. See building on limestone.
- More than one level. It means more posts, more beams and a permit for sure.
- A cover. A roof adds posts, framing and its own plans.
- Big oaks. Working around roots and limbs takes care. Avoid wounding oaks from February 1 through June 30.
- Tearing out an old deck. Removal and haul off add time.
How We Got These Numbers
- We drew a simple 12x16 attached deck and listed every part.
- We looked up each part at the Cedar Park Home Depot on October 31, 2026, then at five other Austin area stores.
- We took carpenter and laborer pay from the May 2025 BLS wage survey for the Austin metro.
- We multiplied 8 hours by one carpenter and one laborer at middle pay.
- We took the permit rows from the city fee code.
- We added them up and rounded the totals to the dollar.
Questions
How much does a 12x16 deck cost in Cedar Park?
Parts alone ran $1,289.48 for treated wood and $1,934.88 for Trex Enhance Basics at the Cedar Park Home Depot on October 31, 2026. Add crew wages, the permit and the builder's costs and profit.
Is composite worth the extra cost?
It costs more up front. For this deck the Trex Basics boards and clips added about $645 over treated pine. Composite does not need stain, which saves work each year.
What does a carpenter earn in the Austin area?
The middle carpenter wage in the Austin, Round Rock and San Marcos metro was $24.16 an hour in May 2025, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Why is my quote higher than this page?
This page counts parts, crew wages and the permit only. A builder also pays for insurance, tools, a truck, waste and time on plans, and needs a profit.